Messi Revisited | Flash Post 379

Button, he’s the tiniest but the most self-sufficient, energetic, mischievous, observant and confident personified.

You’ve forgotten that he’s also a great entertainer! He’s also barididi’s biggest fan.

Have you seen him cuddle up to her at night and immediately fall asleep after his midnight supper and playtime? As night creeps on, he creeps closer and closer to her, finally resting his head on the same pillow. Barididi sometimes wakes up in the middle of the night with him burrowing his head into her neck.

I heard barididi narrate this story a few days back.

Another ritual of his is to run out into our garden at the crack of dawn every single morning, scrounge around for a new item he can carry back as a gift for either barididi or me—mind you in that order—depending on who is available first. It could be a fallen leaf, a branch, a flower or even a dead centipede! By the way, his favourite flower is the pink Plumeria Alba which is the national flower of Laos and our very own champa whose pot holds the remains of one of our four-legged babies. At times, the leaf or branch is so big for his tiny mouth, he runs back quickly to plonk it before anyone he meets up with first.

I fail to understand how humans refuse to open their homes and hearts to animals who don’t have a shelter. In the process, they are bargaining for love, joy, excitement and company which is why loneliness is such a big issue.

This tiny thing came home to be with us before depression hit me. I am sure, one of the reasons why I came out of it sooner than most people do, is because I had Messi and our two other babies for company. To be honest, they gave me the will to live again.

Don’t forget me in the bargain?

Button, should you even be asking that question? This diary you and I write exists and thrives because of you. You are the reason for it.

Thank you. That’s all I needed to hear.

I’m thinking of putting up the video I shot of Messi playing with two gorgeous Tiger Swallowtail butterflies in the garden today.

Was he playing or was he trying to capture one and gift it to you!

8 Comments

himanshi gaur September 30, 2019 at 7:54 am

Messi’s colour is sooooo beautiful ma’am! he is merging with the colour of your flooring. Looks like he’s aware of the camera and is clearly performing for it. I hope he didn’t catch any of the butterflies though! But you’re very lucky to have what looks like a garden on your terrace with butterflies flying around. We only get to witness these sights when we travel on holidays!

Reply
- author September 30, 2019 at 11:42 am
  
  Dear Himanshu,
  
  Yes, Messi is a master performer. And, yes, he did catch the butterfly but I managed to save it in the nick of time. Having a garden where butterflies, exotic birds and even a chameleon roam is a boon and we consider ourselves very fortunate.
  
  Reply
Bina Das September 30, 2019 at 8:05 am

Basically, he’s trying to get your attention and show you some love. He feels you will be proud of him for his achievements. I used to have a cat with me, Bosco, for 11 years till he died of kidney failure and this was his morning routine everyday as well. He was very playful but sometimes he even brought back rats into the house to show off! This used to scare the hell out of us!

Reply
- author September 30, 2019 at 11:47 am
  
  Dear Bina,
  
  It seems you are new to this site. A big welcome to you.
  
  We were of the opinion that Messi’s a hunter but were told by our vet that he does this to get our attention and to show off his achievements without wanting to harm any living species in any way. I found that very touching.
  
  Reply
lovina shastri October 8, 2019 at 6:30 pm

Dear author, I just want to say that you are a big influence on my life. For the past few months I have been suffering from a lot of anxiety and severe depression. I am better for the moment. Everything makes sense now. I read your posts on depression and your recovery from it everytime I need motivation. And add to it, I am going to be adopting a stray cat just like Messi. Like you say, hopefully she will change my life for the better, I could do with some positivity.

Reply
- author October 11, 2019 at 1:34 pm
  
  My dear Lovina,
  
  I had two agendas when I wrote this post: One was to make those, currently experiencing anxiety and depression, realise that with determination and courage, they can live a normal life again.
  
  The second was to get my readers to adopt a pet— ideally a stray—and give them a life.
  
  Reply
shaad zafar ali October 8, 2019 at 6:34 pm

Hi Lovina, you’re absolutely right when you say that this blog is such a big influence on all our lives. Your comment rings true for all of us, I’m sure. Be strong and you will recover soon. For hope, you have a living example in front of you. What more could you want?

Dear ma’am, keep writing and keep filling our lives with joy and motivation. Thank you!

regards…
Shaad

Reply
- author October 11, 2019 at 2:24 pm
  
  My dear Shaad,
  
  I feel humbled after reading your response. The intention is to lend a helping hand to those who are going through rough weather and to tell them that life throws up these challenges only to make us stronger and better.
  
  Thank you for addressing Lovina and reassuring her.
  
  Reply