Fluffy Buddhist
Updated: Aug 5
Early morning. We come into the “cat room” carrying two bowls - Fancy Feast for Ryzyk and “soup” (Royal Canin Mother & Babycat mixed with KMR formula) for Masseeka. They hear our steps long before we open the door and start greeting us enthusiastically. Masseeka sits on the shelf inside the playpen (we lock her with the kittens for the night for safety) and gives us the loudest, longest meoooooows imaginable. Meanwhile, Ryzyk greets us with his gentle, mom‑like mrrr, rubbing against our legs and following us to the placemat where we set down both bowls.
He sniffs his food or takes a polite lick or two, but overall he plays his usual “I’m not that hungry yet” game. A moment later Masseeka is released and she dashes straight to her bowl. Lactating mothers have enormous appetites. Their bodies work full time producing the best possible food for their kittens. She burns a huge amount of calories and needs up to three times more than a normal adult cat. She wolfs down her soup and then checks Ryzyk’s bowl. Sometimes she just licks it a bit, sometimes she eats half of it. And all this time Ryzyk simply watches the kids or waits patiently. He will approach his own bowl only after she is completely done.
I told you - he is an amazing cat. Or should I even say “a Cat”? He is so socially wise, calm, and… thoughtful. He fully accepts Masseeka’s role and needs, and he supports her in every way he can - from watching the kittens, playing with them, grooming them, “changing diapers” and talking to them in that sweet soft voice, to letting Masseeka eat as much as she wants without ever approaching the bowls first, even though there are two of them.
Of course he knows he will never go hungry, but still, the way he behaves is incredibly considerate and unusual for a male cat. Sometimes I look at him and think: this isn’t just a cat - this is a tiny orange monk in fur, practicing compassion every morning.