Louise T. Guinther

The winding down of the holidays can be a gloomy time, with no more traditions or festivities to look forward to and even the pile of yet-to-be-worn Christmas socks beginning to dwindle. Luckily for me, that warm, contented Christmas-y feeling is available year round courtesy of my beloved kitties, Boris and Otello, who know how to keep the spirit of loving and giving alive even in the bleakest months.

First, there’s the basic balm of their presence — knowing that soothing, calming heap of fur in the corner of the sofa is always (or most always) there for you to give a quick scritch or bury your nose in a furry tummy. Then there’s the purr, which even at low volume is a form of aural therapy, and when the full motor gets going, is more relaxing and stress-reducing than Bing Crosby’s rendition of Brahms’s lullaby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1mKewxFrjY

For a more energetic infusion of cat-inspired joy, there’s the catnip-mouse game, guaranteed to bring smiles and giggles, along with the sense of having made another living being happy (and a bit giddy) too. And for the total fireside-glow treatment (whether or not you have an actual fireside), there’s the full-out snuggle. In Boris’s case, this takes the form of an extended lap-sit if you’re in a chair (he likes to man-spread like a subway seat-hog and drape his front paw over your knee like a red panda on a tree-limb)

or classic cat-spooning if you’re lying down.

In Otello’s case, it’s more of a cram session, with him wreathing and writhing around your body and pushing his hard little head against various parts of you until he finds the position of kitty nirvana.

Of course, the best feline-spa treatment is when both boys are blessing you with their warm, blissful presence at once.

That experience is so full of comfort and joy that you might as well be having milk and cookies with Santa Claus and the Baby Jesus at the same time.