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| Baxter discussing the finer points of the central heating pipe and access to it with George. George wins. Obviously. |
If you've read my pieces before you will know I'm allergic to labels. Fortunately since I have 5 cats and 2 dogs of my own I'm not allergic to animals, well I am slightly to new dogs at the shelter but nothing mild sniveling into a tissue wont resolve. So now you understand my dilemma. I'm told emphatically that dogs are loyal and always forgiving whilst cats are independent and fickle, so now I'm confused, what does it say about me?! lets be clear, it is true that dogs have owners whilst cats have staff. Its only one rule to understand but not exactly difficult to follow even for a human like me.
The thing is the conversation is always the same, yes I have a large feline/canine family, yes its expensive, yes I must have had an 'understanding', 'patient', 'tolerant' partner (insert as many sympathy looks here as you feel appropriate) and no I never planned to have quite so many (well not cats anyway) but sometimes they find you and quite honestly Its not in my nature to turn away paws in need. My work as a volunteer in an animal shelter has taught me that there are already too many animals abandoned fighting labels they never deserved. So back to the question, my answer is always the same 'I'm an animal person', fitting a horse into garden in London would just be silly but I have hope that in time I will live somewhere I'll have space for the horse and of course the donkey too, its bad enough that Mr Jones the cat thinks he's a dog and does the rounds of the local Deli, Bookmakers and local pub regularly (none of which I taught him I hasten to add!)
So the question is why do we need to be cat or dog people at all?! Why cant my life as a Pilates teacher embrace loyalty to the heritage of the work and appeal to my curiosity of movement in its most simple and complex form. I teach my dogs to play confidently, without aggression, dominance or attitude and as such I trust they can integrate creatively and energetically into any pack. I've allowed my cats access to the outside world from day one, believing that a cats life where possible is to chase leaves, walk on rooftops and occasionally grow up believing they are dogs and not just a label. Why cant we as teachers embrace all these qualities? It occurred to me that's the way I approach my work. Sometimes its all about Elephants and sometimes I just want to be a Seal, after all did you ever meet an unhappy seal?! So if I'm left holding my own drink because my bark is occasionally too loud or because I'm not affectionate enough well so be it because every now and then someone will bring you a hot chocolate regardless and remind you a label really doesn't matter to those who matter to you .....
Have a fabulous August all, I'm off to New Jersey to hang out with cool cats and the most handsome dogs in the Universe (my own mutts not withstanding obviously!),
Suzy x
