Sora the Cat has been very happy that Daddy has a long vacay over the year-end/New Year season. Lots of snoozing and paw/hand-holding going on . . .

From the most shy and skittish rescue cat I’ve adopted in my life, to blossoming into one of the most ardent love bugs, it’s so rewarding to have earned her complete trust.

There are many relationship lessons to learn here, and in no particular order:

Accept where a person or animal is at this moment

Give them time and space

Don’t force things on them, including yourself, despite your best intentions

Be aware of their boundaries, be they mental or physical

Be still, be quiet, let them approach you when ready

When that “first contact” happens, don’t gush, stay calm

Resist the urge to immediately initiate reciprocal contact

Wait for that tentative, shy head butt

Wait for that tail to curl around your ankle or arm

And. . . once you’ve earned all of the above, remember that there is still respect, still some boundaries, eh?

And once you share that trust, never fail them.