I have a 13-year-old dog and a cat who’s just over six. Over the years, I’ve taken my dog to a pet photography studio almost annually, but my cat’s severe social anxiety has kept him from joining these photo sessions. In the past year, though, we’ve noticed some improvement in our cat’s demeanor. While he still resists going outside, he now recovers in just minutes after returning from baths or vet visits, rather than the hours it used to take. Seeing this progress, my wife and I decided to take a chance this year by bringing both furry brothers to the studio, hoping to capture a wonderful photo of them together.
For this photoshoot (last weekend), we prepared extensively. Beyond booking a more relaxed and generous time slot, we packed an “emergency kit” of their favorite treats, toys, and familiar blankets, particularly concerned that the studio environment might stress our cat. To our delight, despite our cat’s face clearly saying “I’m not happy about this” throughout the entire session, the photoshoot went relatively smoothly—though the coveted dog-and-cat portrait didn’t quite meet our expectations.
But the real test was just beginning. After the photoshoot, my wife and I kept a watchful eye on our cat’s every move. He seemed fine on the surface, but we couldn’t shake a feeling of unease. Sure enough, the morning after the photoshoot, he had diarrhea, which sent our anxiety through the roof. Fortunately, after two bouts, everything appeared to return to normal—his energy was good, and his appetite remained strong. However, later that day, my wife reported that our cat’s urination didn’t seem as smooth as usual and instructed me to monitor him closely. Cat owners know that urinary issues can be quite serious for felines and are often triggered by stress.
This morning (before sitting down to write this newsletter), our cat seemed to sense our worries. He approached me with a soft meow, guiding me to follow him to his private bathroom. Under my watchful eye, he leisurely drank water for a few minutes, then smoothly completed his urination before darting off to play—demonstrating his healthy physical condition through actions rather than words—leaving me both relieved and amused.
Though cats and dogs don’t speak human language, they’re certainly not lacking in intelligence. They can keenly sense your concern and respond in their own ways. While caring for them certainly requires effort, the pure emotional connection they provide far exceeds what we invest. I’m incredibly grateful for these little beings who bring such warmth to human society.
I’ve just scheduled another photoshoot with the studio for six months from now. I’m hoping to finally realize my small wish—to recreate the scene from my cartoon avatar: a perfect portrait with my fur babies sitting quietly on either side of me.
In this age where large language models increasingly blur the line between human and AI communication, making interactions with AI feel almost indistinguishable from those with real people, I still cherish the wordless yet deeply connected communication I share with my pets. That subtle, authentic beauty is a living connection that even the most advanced technology can never replace.
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