Tag: pets

daily prompt

The Secret Language

nhpureandsimple

Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?

Apparently, we all talk to our pets, right?

You can’t have a pet without finding some way to communicate together. 

Anyway, at the moment, I don’t have any.

My sons say, “ please no more, Mama.’

Simply because I got so attached to them, and you know how hard it feels when you lose them.

Over the last few years, I used to have three pets. 

No wait… actually, they were two and the third came only for a short visit.

First was Fish; those colourful tiny creatures in a small water tank. 

Me and my daughter were fascinated by them.

But real, tiny fish are mute, not like those talkative ones in movies or in fictional books.

Yet, you still have to find some kind of language to communicate with them. Otherwise, you will end up sending them back, either to the big open sea or the store where you got them.

Thanks to my daughter, we found something simple by just tapping gently on the tank glass.

They would drew near and start staring at you through the glass.

Perhaps… we can translate this as hi, how’re you doing.

Second came my birds: two cute parakeets, Blue and Sky.

These two were so talkative, but their birdie language is easy to learn.

So they would start the day with loud “morning prayers” followed by nonstop discussions about their daily routine. Sometimes, later in the day, their chatter would change into a thoughtful, lyrical kind of sweet conversation before having a catnap.

“Please, Mama make them stop this noise.” My sons complained when they came for a visit.

‘They’ll be quiet at night.’ I replied, laughing.

Whistling works so well with birds, and my daughter found the idea very interesting.

I’m so bad at whistling, yet me and those cheeky birds used to nod, yell, and whisper at one another.

Then came the cat, with those beautiful eyes and soft meows.

Since we were only having her for a short visit, she spend most of the time hiding.

But cats are clever, and easy to communicate with. 

Their meows, purrs, and little winks not only make your heart melt, but they also don’t need any explanations. 

With pets–language- thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Pets, please understand

nhpureandsimple

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

We—humans both love and envy you.

You can see things we can’t see.

You can hear things we can’t hear.

You can smell things before we even do.

You’re born to run out and about—free.

You’re born to fly and soar high.

You’re born to dive and swim deep, deep, deep in dark seas, rivers, and oceans.

You’re satisfied with the way you are; your look, your shape, and your size.

You’re happy wherever you live; 

a nest, a hole, a cave, a shell, or a tree.

You don’t mind— never mind.

You know what to eat and when to eat.

You’re funny, unexpected, and loyal.

You love life, clinging to its last moment, 

but you live it instead of thinking too much about it.

And… we learn from you.

Yes, we humans, with our superior, complex brains learn from you—our dear pets.

With humans-and-pets thoughts,

Nahla 

 

daily prompt, Just writing

Cats’ Routine

nhpureandsimple

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

A month or two ago, my son’s friend brought his cat home for a short visit while he was travelling abroad. Actually it was my suggestion. I was both excited and relieved as a few days won’t form a strong bond between you and your favourite pet—cats. 

Cats seem to have an anticlockwise routine, right? 

They sleep most of the day, and stay awake all the night.

Perhaps yours is different, but the ones I’ve had the honour to befriend have always followed that routine.

So, when the cat arrived safe and sound, she ran and disappeared behind the sofa.

Expected.

The place was new and so we were.

A few hours later, night fell, and she was still hiding. 

I tried to give her food, but she didn’t eat.

I cradled her in my arms, but she leapt away and disappeared behind the same place.

I closed the door and left her in peace.

But there was no peace.

The big fun began—

noise echoed downstairs.

running,

sliding

and jumping.

‘That’s the cat,’ I told my daughter, couldn’t help laughing at her panicked face .

In the morning, we were the ones making the hustle and bustle, and the cat watched us with heavy lids, and half closed eyes.

But by afternoon, she was full of energy.

After stretching her four limbs, and letting out this wide, funny yawn, she jumped and stood onto the windowsill.

Like a hawk, she watched the birds, the flies, and perhaps other creatures we can’t see.

Her tail swayed, and eyes shone as if she was plotting how to catch them for dinner.

A bit later, she tiptoed around the house, exploring every room and corner. 

Then she slipped back to her hiding place, curling into her catnap, until it was our turn to go to bed and leave her free to have all the fun she wanted.

Sometimes I wonder if cats can ever skip their catnap? 

But I think that would hardly happen.

Honestly if there’s one thing I wish I could add to my routine, it would be the catnap, but then it would be the hardest thing to skip.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

A Pet in The Vacuum!

nhpureandsimple

What is good about having a pet?

It happens that, out of all the books you read, some leave you with funny memories. You may totally forget the author and the book, yet some of its narrative, perhaps its themes, stuck into your head. 

Have you experienced this before? 

I have, and that’s what inspired me to write this post.

So, in one of the novels by a popular author( whose name I cannot remember right now, and if I try, I will lose the thread of this post)

But you don’t want me to lose the thread, do you?

Now, back to the main point: a parrot was one of the characters in the story. He wasn’t a main character, but an essential one. 

Do you wonder why? 

Because he brightened the last days of an old lady’s life. 

By the way, in Egypt, when one repeats other’s words without thinking— or worse without understanding, they’re called a parrot. 

In the story the parrot was… imprudent, throwing swearing words at others, not for fun or for a fight, but because his owner was professional in that craft. 

Then one day, the person who was taking care of the parrot while his friend was away on business, decided to give her flat a good cleaning. She grabbed the vacuum, turned it on, and got to work. The place looked so clean and tidy, but something was missing.

She felt something was missing, clearly, definitely missing. And that was it: the flat was so quiet. She could hear a pin drop. But how? Where was the source of everyday noise, the maestro of the swearing symphony? 

A few moments later, she saw him, swallowed by the vacuum and trapped inside like a fluffy toy.

She rushed to pull him out and held him in her hands. 

His eyes were open and he was breathing, but that was all. 

It seemed the shock, whether an electric or emotional, had switched off his brain. 

For days, his condition remained unchanged. No noise, no food. Still, he was alive.

A few days later, he was taken to the old lady. She laughed at his mishap, but she also felt sorry for him. 

She didn’t give up on him. Every day, she gave him food and water.

Bit by bit, his life was restored, but his voice was never the same. And, the good thing was he lost his old vocabulary. Yet he made the old lady laugh, and she felt quiet responsibility towards that poor creature. 

I remember there was a quote that explained how a pet can help people live longer and happier. 

Now take care,

Watch the vacuum,

And teach your pet good manners! 

With hope and peace,

 Nahla

personal thoughts

He Flew Away!

nhpureandsimple

That’s Blue,  my little bird. I think you already know about him. I wrote about him a few times.

Today, he flew away. 

First, I couldn’t ‘t believe it when I saw him ran outside after me into the garden. He’d done it once before, but this time, he didn’t stand on my shoulders, didn’t jump on the laundry airer, didn’t fly back inside, and didn’t even look back. He flew away, up and high in the blue, warm sky.

But, I believe it, and I even felt it. Deep in my heart, I knew he would. Today was the perfect day. Yes, it’s a perfect springy day. The birds outside are singing and calling one another, high and loud. He couldn’t stop getting excited, couldn’t stop spreading his small wings and letting the gentle wind take him away. 

I feel happy for him, but also heartbroken, very hearbroken. He’s been my friend for almost three years. Over the last two weeks, after his mate died, he followed me everywhere. He made me laugh, he made me angry, and today made me cry.

I believe birds have feelings, because they have a soul. Otherwise they wouldn’t get attached to others, wouldn’t fear, wouldn’t love life.

I only pray I made him happy!

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Not our pet

nhpureandsimple

What animals make the best/worst pets?

The Arabs and people in the Mideterinian region in general like cats. They are such adorable creatures that make your heart melt as they rub themselves against your leg, or give you one of their begging meows.

One day, my family and I moved to a new house. The area was so beautiful but so quiet especially at night. Then, a few days later, and just before going to bed,  I heard meowing at the doorstep. My husband and my boys, who were still young at that time, went downstairs and opened the door. There, they found our cute night visitor; a tabby taking shelter under our small shelter. When I joined them, the cat was still meowing at the door. She had a collar, but apparently all she wanted was to get inside our house. I let her in and she straightaway started rubbing her wet fur against us. Later on, I discovered that it was the pet of my next door neighbour. So, she wasn’t a lost cat. From that day on, the cat became our popular and so welcomed guest. 

We had moved again, but  I still remember that cat and its name, and still have its photos.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla