We don’t own a cat. We did once and she was special. I think Charles Bukowski gets it right that when we have a pet they are our teachers. I always tell people who cat really owned us. We have opportunities to learn from whatever appears in our world and space. When we stop and sense closely, deeply, it is a learning experience that sometimes only reveals itself much later.
I know. I know.
they are limited, have different
needs and
concerns.
but I watch and learn from them.
I like the little they know,
which is so
much.
they complain but never
worry,
they walk with a surprising dignity.
they sleep with a direct simplicity that
humans just can’t
understand.
their eyes are more
beautiful than our eyes.
and they can sleep 20 hours
a day
without
hesitation or
remorse.
when I am feeling
low
all I have to do is
watch my cats
and my
courage
returns.
I study these
creatures.
they are my
teachers.
About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
I’m a cat person, so of course I can relate to what you wrote. I enjoyed it thoroughly. And I agree with Bukowski. I have learned from each of the wonderful animals I’ve had over the years.
I do not think of myself as a cat person, but that one cat changes that way of thinking for me.
I can relate; grew up with Siamese. One cold winter morning, a stray manx appeared at my doorstep. We’ve been “friends” for years now. It’s “all good” as long as I give the cat the freedom to come and go. The manx actually has a home and if I actually owned her; I’d keep her closer. Cats do walk with a surprising dignity and their eyes are so beautiful.
Enjoyed your post!
Thank you for the wonderful story Grace.
I have two cats. ONe is a Snowshoe my sister gave to me.. And I have never seen a more mellow or affectionate cat. She is half-Siamese with Seal-Point markings and all four feet are white. Come to find out that they are rare and she has the most beautiful blue eyes. A real Sweetheart. <—- Lacey
Baby is a Black Tabby with a totally different personality though very close to me. She is hard for others to know and quite frankly couldn't care less what other people or pets think. She is athletic and fast and kind of funny when she wants to be. We've had a lot of experiences together and is officially, an emotional support animal.
Thank you for the wonderful descriptions.
Most welcomed sir. I love their own uniqueness. Their love is the greatest elixir.
Thank you for the kind words.
Me too. My cats taught me everything I know about love.
They are like babies that way. Their love is unconditional.
I agree, Ivan, we have so much to learn from our animal companions. Thanks for this, Alia
You are welcome Alia.
Yes, I too have learned so much from our four cats that all happened to come across our path, one way or another..
They show up and probably for a reason.
sweet pet poem!
i’ve learned from cats
in passing, from afar
as allergies kept me
from living with a feline 🙂
Yes, that is something cats bring to us, as well. Our cat was a non-social creature who disappeared at the hint of company, but those with allergies knew she was ther.
Yes, they are. I often say that my pets are the owners of the house and I just rent a room from them. Of course, I have to pay all the bills and do all the cleaning. They are family not just animals. Love them all.
Take care.
Peace.
We rent a room from them. I love that Frank.
Toonce my cat was a good teacher. A vindictive teacher but a good teacher.
I love the name. It is beautiful and interesting.
I can’t but agree with the above. Oscar taught me many things in his long life. One was that no matter what I did or didn’t do I could be liable for a disapproving swipe. Another was that h was my alarm cat and that when he purred in my ear, bit my toe or licked my eyeball, it was time to get out of bed to open a door or feed him.
I was lucky enough ( I suppose) that he left me enough adventures to write a book for him.
They do leave us with memories and adventures that are irreplaceable.
Love this Ivon. Thank you.
You are welcome and thank you David.
my sentiments too. i adore cats and miss mine. I always had cats in pairs, and Siamese. It was a total love affair. I hope one day to have cats again. thanks for this. Eve
Thank you for sharing Eve. I hope you find your cats again.
So beautiful and true. Thank you for this. 🙂
You are welcome and thank you Allison.
We are all limited, humans most of all.
We limit ourselves perhaps.
I even learn from my chickens!
We can learn from the world and all its inhabitants.
I can relate to this very much. There has always been a cat in my home. My 2 cats Twilight and Shadow are the masters no doubt about it. lol.
Cats are the masters and mistresses of their domains.
Living in a 9-cat household, I totally appreciated this post! They are amazing creatures, each with its own unique personality–though that love of sleep and regal walk are something they all share. Thanks. ~Tom
It is what makes them cats.
Living with a dog, I still appreciated the wisdom in this post 🙂
We had a couple dogs along the way and they have individual identities, as well.
Thoroughly enjoyed your poem, Ivon. We were adopted by a runaway (from another home) kitty, Midnight. We are her people and we’re so glad that she chose us. She’s the Queen of our castle. Life is better with Middy in it! 🙂
They take over and it is their domain.
And we love them for it!