Ever so often a person is really lucky and gets paired up with one of the coolest cats, ever.

OM-the-kitty so graciously arrived into my life after about a year of almost complete solitude. It was a time in my life of inner transformation and I am not quite sure that it’s ended yet, however my life has certainly started to open up and things have begun to move-in. OMtheKitty is one of them.

Two years ago this incredibly adorable kitten was the answer to my prayers. I wanted a neat pet, I wanted something to cuddle with, I wanted my home to not be so quiet and lonely anymore, so I searched online for different things to get. I considered rabbits, I considered dogs, and after tons of mulling over, I got a cat.

But OM-the-kitty is not just any kitten.

From the moment that I picked her up, I wanted her. She was the cutest, tiniest kitten—only about eight weeks old—fit right in the palm of my hand. She was just a baby, so I didn’t want to cage her while I drove home. For almost two hours, I let her sit on my lap. At first, she meowed, crying loudly. Afraid it would not stop, I started chanting:

AUMMMMMM….

I didn’t stop chanting, the whole drive home! Even after OM-the-kitty fell asleep on my lap; she didn’t move, she no longer whined, she was undisturbed. After those initial meows, she acclimated quickly to me. Thanks to chanting calmly, I bonded with her, and easily named her: OM.

OM-the-kitty has certainly lived up to her name.

For starters, she’s put up with me. I’ve had a lot to learn about being a responsible pet owner. Having a pet is not just about getting your pet neutered/spayed, or providing food and shelter…pets need love and attention too.

Pets do not exist to appease the owner.

Perhaps because I make my cat do a lot of unusual things I can see that she needs a lot more of my attention, love, praise, and extra playtime. I’ve learned to reward her with extra tasty wet food after we go paddle-boarding, and I take her out to sniff, explore and climb outdoors if she’s been cooped up for too long—she’s comfortable with her leash and harness. She has lots of toy and she gets lots of pets.

The very best part about OM is what she learned to do this summer.

After trying just about every different kind of litter that they have at the pet store, I finally settled on some pine pellets that sort-of worked (they covered up the smell with a seemingly piney fresh scent, and they didn’t track as much as the litter that’s sandlike). But litter is litter and after about a year and a half of smelling random poops it was starting to drive me nuts. So I began researching cat-toilet-training kits however the reviews didn’t convince me to actually buy anything. Shortly afterwards, as I was driving home one day, I saw a box out on a curb up the hill that said, “for free”—it was a new cat-toilet-training kit. I double checked the contents inside, everything was clean, and I thought to myself: okay lets try it, after all, it’s free. 

I bought the special flushable litter, watched a bunch of videos, and started training Om right away.

It was a bunch of trial and error, mostly my fault each time, but summer is just about to end and OM-the-kitty is fully toilet-trained. I haven’t bought any litter in months, she didn’t even go through her entire flushable toilet-training litter.

My two year old is fully potty-trained.  

I am a fortunate pet haver—I do not own this animal, I am only grateful that it’s chosen me to care for it in this world. It’s true I’ve messed up a lot, but overall I’ve done good (she truly is the sweetest cat). She loves to cuddle, and—even though they’re rough—she gives the nicest kisses.

As I finish writing this post she licks my toes and snuggles closer to my feet, this is not unusual behavior for her; she’s just a most peculiar kitten. I am grateful to have OMtheKitty.

Know anyone that will find this valuable? Remember to LIKE and SHARE (help water the things that you want to see grow).

a few good posts from 7daysPresent.com

1. What is my PRESENT?

2. Why should I meditate everyday? 

3. the Yogi utility belt