If you’re like me, you’ve got clutter. I have paper clutter, clothes clutter, electronics clutter and clutter so cluttered I’m unable to categorize it.
One of the most difficult kinds of clutter to deal with is pet clutter. We have six animals in various states of disarray. Rather than stay in one area, they wander from couch to window, adding noise when they deem appropriate.
Often, we think there might be a reason for the noise. We leave our couch, and look out the window vaguely in the dark. Is there a opossum? A raccoon? Nothing! We tell the dogs we see nothing. Does that stop them? No, it doesn’t. My husband has described our dog, Mercy, as mostly blank with periods of anger at the unknown.
She will go to the window and start barking. Our other dog, Cookie, doesn’t even bother to look if there’s really a problem. She will join in the barkfest without any fact-checking or confirmation. It’s time to bark! Let’s go!
They disrespect us as housemates, and think nothing of telling us about their hunger problems at 5 a.m. Do we look like we care? We’re sleeping! Or at least we were. If you want a guaranteed alarm clock that will work even when the power is out, feed one animal once at 5 a.m. and you will never oversleep again.
Thankfully, Mira our cat entered our lives last year. We adopted her from the local humane society. We were unaware of her talent: she is a self-organizing cat. Where other animals sleep without any visible sense of order or structure, Mira takes it upon herself to put herself away.
5 ways to organize your cat
Blessing
Lord, thank you for the unexpected ways
your creatures amuse and awaken us.
Help us to be good caretakers of
the animal friends who greet us, charm us,
keep us active and make us better people.
Tell me your thoughts!
How do animals entertain you? Has an animal made a difference in your well-being? What is the most cluttered–or most organized–thing your pet has done for you recently?
Light to grow in; reflections by Genevieve Howard 
My favorite is Mira in the basket on the desk. Delightful!
She is constantly surprising us with her ability to fit in small baskets! Thanks for your comment!
There is no cardboard box so small that our cat Cowgirl will not attempt to put herself away in it. Yay for self-organizing cats!
Yes! Self-organizing cats are the best. Fun to hear about another one. Mira and Cowgirl must both love the home organizing shows!
You know how much my Foxy brings love and light into my life. Thank you for sharing this light-hearted meditation on the importance of animals in our lives–even when they also bring some minor frustrations. As with any loving relationship, you have to take the good with the not-so-good.
So true! Thank you for your wise words.
Often your blogs make me think, reflect and pray along with you. This one just made me laugh. (What’s with the chair and table ON TOP OF the couch? And with a cat on top of all of that? Hilarious.)
Isn’t she the funniest? I had put up the chair and tray to vacuum. Mira has impressive balancing skills…she jumped up on the tray and settled in like it was the most natural thing in the world! Your comment warmed my heart–thank you so much.
Love this light and fun blog! Made me smile, which is always nice. Mira is beautiful, especially in the first photo. We have a 6-year-old black lab, and she lives inside. My husband trained her so well so the only real clutter-ing thing is all that HAIR! Good thing we have hardwood floors. 🙂 She does make us happy, and that is de-cluttering for the heart and mind.
“She does make us happy, and that is de-cluttering for the heart and mind.” What a beautiful sentiment! Thank you for your comment. Appreciate your support!