I woke after sunrise today for the first time in a week. Through my closed eyes, I sensed the glow of light when I stirred. Usually it is pitch dark when I wake. I saw an abrupt brightening, and when I opened my eyes to see what caused it, I heard the thunk of our cat jumping to the wood floor from the window sill, and I saw the curtain drift shut, and I watched a cat tail swish toward the bed.

I closed my eyes again and lay on my back under our comforter. A moment later, I heard the soft pouf of Tootsie jumping up on the foot of the bed. Through the sheets, blanket, and comforter, I felt the weight of her on my shins, my knees, my thighs, my stomach, as her fuzzy paws walked up my body before she arrived on my chest and lay down. She rubbed her furry face agains my chin and began to purr. I felt her rumble in my chest, and her contentedness seeped into me.

I had planned to get up and brush my teeth, but instead I lay in bed, the morning light shining softly through white curtains, the warm cocoon of our bed, and a purring cat on my heart. I pop out of bed every day, in the dark, as soon as my alarm goes off. Today I stayed put to pet a purring kitty and soak up her goodness.

Daily writing prompt

What is good about having a pet?

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