I've known my pal Hendrix for around five years now.

[mostlytato@mstdn.social]

I've known my pal Hendrix for around five years now. His behaviour has changed over the years. He used to leap off his bin as soon as he saw me, but now he sits and waits until I click my tongue in greeting.
He has come to understand that occasionally I may be busy; I'll always stop to say hi, but he trusts that I'll show willing to socialise first.
I think this is quite amazing thoughtfulness from my friend, who appears to have studied my behaviour as much as I've studied his.

#Caturday

[mostlytato@mstdn.social]

I was always a dog person, so getting to know Hendrix I decided to study his behaviour and look stuff up to try and understand cats.
Little did I realise that he was doing something similar (minus the internet ofc) and adapting his behaviour to fit around mine, just as I adapted mine to fit around his.
As such, we seem to have reached a tacit understanding. As we patrol his territory together I can almost physically feel the bond we have developed as it moves and shifts.

[mostlytato@mstdn.social]

These days I struggle with humans, not because I don't understand them, more because I kind of do; I fail to make human friendships because I don't care to make much effort for many of the people I find myself surrounded by, precisely because they don't make that effort.
I find it enlightening that I find more connection elsewhere. I think those that make the effort to understand others are valuable regardless of what species they are.
So I'm a fifty-odd bloke who has ended up as a cat-lady! 😎

[broadfork@mastodon.green]

@MostlyTato Fabulous. It’s a wonderful feeling when we develop a bond with another animal.

[broadfork@mastodon.green]

@MostlyTato I would say that makes you quite a typical middle aged person. We change and adjust with our life experiences along the way but most people’s social circles get smaller.

Do keep pursuing your interests and passions and find people with similar interests because it’s important to have friends to share those moments with.

[mostlytato@mstdn.social]

@Broadfork
I think you are right, I'm still learning to be middle aged lol. And I agree, I want to be connected to humans but I have distinct boundaries and standards that I'm unwilling to compromise. That's my choice and the consequence of that is that I prefer cats.
It doesn't help that I'm in a core ReformUK Ltd area, that the internet is being age gated and due to various issues I'm physically stuck in my home town!

[broadfork@mastodon.green]

@MostlyTato I much prefer dogs to people. Being true to your core beliefs is admirable. Find your people, they will be there. Oxfordshire was tory forever but they all got the boot so there is hope.