Lessons from Todd

Our guest today has a dual identity; some know her as mild-mannered college professor Wendy Watson; others are getting to know her as Annie Knox, mystery writer. Here is what Wendy says about her alter ego:

"While Annie Knox does not commit--or solve--murders in real life, her love of animals is 100% real.  She's also passionately devoted to 80s music, Asian horror films, and reality TV. Annie, her husband, and their spoiled cats (Todd, Iphy, and Squeak-a-doodle) make their home in a small town in north Texas, just blocks from the town’s courthouse square."

Here is what my alter ego Miranda had to say about Annie's debut, Paws for Murder: “Annie Knox has created a warm, funny, flawed, but completely endearing sleuth in Izzy McHale, and I’m already panting for the next book in the series.”

Here is Annie's contribution to the Femmes blog:

I admit to being a crazy cat lady. My husband is the voice of reason who has kept our household menagerie to three felines and insisted that we not take in every stray in our stray-filled town.

Obviously I love all my critters, but while they all give me love, our Todd Baryshnikov has given me an example of how to balance my crazy two-job life while still maintaining a certain zen. So here I share with you the top three lessons I have learned from Todd the Cat.

1. Ask for Help When You Need It

Todd had been a regular on the stray circuit for at least ten months before he joined our clan. He came to live with us when he came trotting up the porch stairs behind me, did figure-eights around my leg, and chatted up a storm. When he looked up to meet my eyes, I saw a big wound on his poor little neck.  I immediately scooped him up—he was and remains a very friendly guy—and got him to the vet that afternoon. Not only did it save Todd, but it made me feel useful, important. 

I’ve learned that I sometimes need help (I have a tendency to, uh, overextend myself). I used to think of it as a weakness to ask for help, imposing a burden on someone else, but Toddy has taught me that sometimes people like to be asked for help. It can be a win-win situation.

2. Act Like You Own the Place

As soon as I brought Todd home from the vet that first day, he made a beeline for the basket of cat toys, peed all over them, jumped up on our bed, rolled onto his back, fell asleep, and—boom—he was our cat. Not a moment of hesitation, no sniffing around or hiding.  

I suffer from terrible anxiety, made nearly crippling by new social situations. But I’ve learned from Todd. If you act like you belong, pretty soon you do. When I encounter a new situation or new people, my natural reaction is to hide, to shut down entirely. But instead, I take my cue from the cat and pretend like I’ve been there, doing that, for years. Works like a charm.

3. Relax

Todd Baryshnikov. Toddy B. The snuggle pirate, the cuddle cowboy, the love ninja, the nap hero. He goes by many names around here, but he’s earned every moniker. Todd’s favorite thing to do is nap, and napping with a friend is the best of the best. He’s fond of tummies and creeping up them until his head is nearly in your mouth. He surrenders to a good belly rubbing with complete abandon, tucking his front paws beneath his chin, sometimes losing track of where he is and stretching himself right off the couch or bed.

This gift of complete relaxation, abandonment to love and comfort, is something we can all learn from.  When I get wrapped up in deadlines, swamped by students, overwhelmed by the chaos that is our house, I take a look at Todd, eyes squinted in an expression of wise contentment, and I think, “that’s where I need to be right now.” I stretch out on the bed, the couch, even the floor of my office, close my eyes, take a few deep breaths and let all the tension drain out of me. When I get up (after a minute or thirty), I feel wildly refreshed and able to take on the day.

After years and years of neuroses, I finally learned to cope by watching this wondrous cat. Do you have pets? What have you learned from them?

Comments

[Elaine Viets]

Welcome, Wendy. I have two cats, Harry, a rescue cat, and Mystery, a pedigreed show cat who bit a judge. They've taught me good lessons, including, "Enjoy the sunny spots" and "When you're angry, you're not getting hugged."

[M. Rups]

I used to have cats. And, long ago, a St Bernard. What they taught me: Live in the now whenever you can. Stop to enjoy it while you may. And learn to let go -- yesterday was yesterday.

[krisneri]

Welcome to the Femmes, Wendy. Todd sounds like a great cat. My dog has taught me that a good walk will make you feel wonderful, while my cat has taught me a little time spent resting in a ray of sunshine will accomplish the same thing. They both know more about living in the moment than I ever have.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

This is SO brilliant.
Funny--I am also terrified in social situations, business ones, too. As a reporter, in that role, I'm fine. But as just me? Not so much.

A very wise person once said to me--you know how cats puff up when they are sensing danger? They "get big" so they take up more room and seem more powerful. "So--get big," she told me. I will confess to all of you--that's exactly what I try to do. Just like a cat.

Welcome, Wendy! cannot wait until our paths cross in person.

PS I am still working on "If you gripe, someone will feed you," just as my cat Lola used to do. Worked for her. But not so much for me with my husband..well, wait. Yes, it does!

[Charlaine Harris]

I've learned if I'm cute, someone will give me a treat.

[Wendy/Annie]

Thank you all for having me! I'm glad I'm not the only one who learns life lessons from critters.

[catriona]

Todd could end the run of self-help publishing all by himself! Hm, what have I learned form Dennis Buggit and Rachel Green? well, Dennis is a demanding pain in the derriere who pukes in all the wrong places and Rachel is so shy most visitors think she's imaginary and she still runs away form us after seven years. So I suppose I've learned that you will be loved no matter what - not a bad lesson really.

[Mary]

Todd is great! And a smart guy. Do you ever loan him out? My cat Big could use some help in these particular areas ... okay, me too .... and I believe Todd would make a good guru.

I look forward to reading your book. Thanks for being with us today!

[Marilyn Watson]

I loved your Post. I'll look for your Mysteries. I write and read them with zest...

[Lexie]

This is so good. My cat of 17 has taught me, trust no one, your cat will love you more then any human every will. sleep whenever possible and be grateful for the food on our plates.

[Dana Cameron]

Thanks for stopping by the Femmes, Wendy! What I've learned from my cats: Jumping into someone's lap isn't always a good way to make friends.

[Lindar]

Todd the cat guru, who knew? How much does he charge & does he make house call. We'd all probably be happier if we followed our pets' approach to life. I still get kitty cuddles & kisses EVEN when I don't give them their favorite cat food for dinner or forget their treats for an evening. Looking forward to your Murder by the book visit.