Today was one of those days where life tries to remind you that caring for something fragile is both terrifying and rewarding.
I was playing with the kitten, Whiskey, and she slipped right out of sight. One second she was bouncing around the living room like a little cartoon character… the next, gone. Vanished. I was terrified she might somehow get outside, or get stuck behind something, or get stepped on. She’s so tiny and frail that she feels like she could break from the wrong look, let alone an accident.
We put so much time and money into making sure she was healthy—vaccinations, vet visits, treatments—because we wanted her to be safe. Mom got her for me as a Christmas gift, and it means a lot to both of us. It’s more than just a cat… it’s a symbol of us trying to build something positive together, a fresh start. Mom and I are working on making better memories instead of obsessing over the old ones. And I realized that Whiskey and I should be doing the same.
Think about it—what does she know of me so far? That I smother her with love when I’m awake, or I put her in a cage when I’m busy. If the roles were reversed, I wouldn’t be thrilled either.
So when she finally resurfaced, strolling casually down the kitchen floor like nothing had happened, it was a huge relief. I decided to let her stay in my art studio with the doors locked, where she could explore safely. No cage, no fear. Just freedom she could handle.
It made me think: what must real parents go through? Losing track of a child in a grocery store or hearing silence in the house and thinking the worst. That panic is enough to stop your heart.
Mom and I went to Denny’s to breathe, laugh a little, and be human again. When we got home, we agreed Whiskey should sleep in the art room overnight. I’ll feed her in the morning when she decides to stop hiding and wakes me up with hunger. It’s her journey too—learning, testing limits, deciding who her humans are.
And through all of this, I didn’t smoke.
Neither did the kitten.
We got this.
by Dan and Bonkers
SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TODAY!!!
