🐾 What We’ve Been Trying to Teach Her

Whiskered Purrspective

Issue #4

Feb 21, 2026

MaiTai watching the world go by...

by MaiTai & ZuZu

MaiTai:

She thinks she’s supposed to be doing something important.

All the time.

Typing.

Planning.

Worrying.

Staring very seriously at screens.

So I sit directly in her line of vision and blink at her until she remembers I exist.

You’re welcome.

ZuZu:

Sometimes her mind drifts far away, even when her body is right here.

So I bring her back.

Not to interrupt.

Just to remind.

And get a chin scratch.

Which I deserve.

MaiTai:

When she’s been “busy” for too long, I initiate Operation: Mandatory Playtime.

This involves knocking writing utensils off desks, batting at pretty much anything still within her line of sight.

It looks like I’m being naughty.

I’m not. It’s strategic.

I know EXACTLY how to get her attention.

ZuZu:

She worries a lot about whether she’s doing enough.

We have checked.

She is.

MaiTai:

Sometimes when Dad comes home carrying the weight of the day, I know exactly what to do.

I dramatically collapse in front of his feet.

Full kerplunk. Exquisitely soft and tempting underbelly exposed.

Vulnerability equals maximum cuteness.

Absolutely no dignity.

It’s important work.

And it ALWAYS works.

ZuZu:

Stress makes humans forget their bodies.

So I curl against hers.

Heartbeat to heartbeat.

Breath to breath.

Lesson: come back to the room.

MaiTai:

She apologizes when she rests.

We do not understand this.

ZuZu:

She thinks she has to earn comfort.

We have never required proof.

MaiTai:

When she spirals into “shoulds” and “what ifs” and “I’ll just finish one more thing,”

I sit On. The. Thing.

Keyboard.

Notebook.

Important papers.

Problem solved.

ZuZu:

When she cries quietly, I pretend not to notice.

But I stay closer.

Just in case.

MaiTai:

We’ve been trying to teach her this for years:

Joy isn’t something you earn.

Rest isn’t a character flaw.

Play is not “extra.” It’s fuel.

ZuZu:

And love doesn’t care what you crossed off the list.

MaiTai:

Being alive is enough.

ZuZu:

On the days she forgets, we will remind her.

By staring.

By purring.

By flopping dramatically.

By being ridiculous.

MaiTai:

We are very patient teachers.

ZuZu:

She is a good student.

Even when she doesn’t think so.

MaiTai:

We will keep showing her.

Every day.

— MaiTai & ZuZu 🐾🐾