My Gardening Philosophy (reasons I enjoy gardening part 3)

As Sigmund Freud once said "time spent with cats is never wasted". I am well aware that there are plenty of gardeners out there who would rather never see a feline in their garden ever again. I admit they can be something of a nuisance when they are not your own well loved companions. However, there is little doubt that I like to be outside in the garden simply to enjoy their company.

I would like to think this is a reciprocal feeling. Certainly both Mili and Hecate will come rushing quickly (or more sedately in Hecate's case) to join me when "I go up the garden". Whether it is the feeling of extra security they have with their human close by or whether it is a case of showing off their prowess by climbing trees and chasing butterflies that motivates them I will never really be sure. What is without doubt, however, is that we do enjoy each others company.

There are times when my gardening tasks are a higher priority than fussing over the felines. I can tell this exasperates Mili and Hecate who cannot perceive of anything more important than some human attention. So it is not infrequently the case that they will tire of milling around but instead find a quiet spot from which they can observe (providing they can keep their eyes open for long enough). But as soon as the spade is put down and I am taking a little breather, one or the other is more than likely to show up out of apparently nowhere! I find this quite a comfort knowing that I too am being watched over even if there is more than an element of cupboard love about it.

I also believe that the more time they spend with me up in the garden the more likely they are to associate this space with being their territory. Hopefully this then encourages them to stay in this part of the great outside. I am more convinced that this applies to Hecate who is naturally a little more timid. She very rarely ventures beyond the confines of our own garden and when she does, quite sensibly she only seems to go to the next door neighbour that she trusts; the kind lady who provides the meals when we go away for a few days.

"I love cats because I enjoy my home [garden] and little by little they become its visible soul" Jean Cocteau (French poet, playwright and artist)