What follows is a feline perspective from a cat named Satchmo who is in spirit form. To read more from Satchmo go to
Purr-ls of Wisdom.
Satchmo:
That is not an easy question to answer. There are many forms of pressure and an equal amount of ways in which it is processed by all beings.
What each human’s definition and understanding of pressure is, is the filter through which the question is asked. Also how it is heard and processed.
I am only answering from my latest experience as a cat.
I felt pressure from not understanding my world during the early years of my life. Uncertainty brought stress. Not being understood, not only by others, but by myself, was difficult.
As you see “pressure” has many meanings. Pressure comes from within as well as outside sources.
As I say pretty regularly, it’s not the same for everyone.
Did my human place pressure on me emotionally? No.
She never asked nor believed I was responsible for her emotions. She grew while we were together to understand how deeply important it was that she was responsible for her own emotions. Therefore she never placed the pressure on me to carry them for her.
What I mean by that is she didn’t believe that my being with her or not would change what she was responsible for in her self.
Of course my leaving was hard for her. She grieved my departure and our separation.
Should you feel your life is dependent on another being , there is no judgment on feeling as if you will “die” without the animal you are so deeply committed too.
You are in pain.
Your mutual experiences are your own and not another's to understand or agree with. There is no right or wrong. Love yourself as well as the other through it all. Your feelings are your feelings they are yours alone.
That is what is important
It is always up to the animal how they feel about pressure and stresses.
We are all here to experience our own unique journey and the many facets of our emotions and the pressure that being in body brings. We all grow.
Animals may feel your desire for them to stay. Again that is part of the individual journey. A catalyst for growth.
Ultimately we can not force another to stay. It is always a choice made for different reasons.
Each agreement is unique to the individuals in the relationship.
Humans experience a great deal of pressure from daily life that I as a cat did not experience. Living with Karen I was aware of her emotions. I also knew they weren’t mine.
Did I have empathy? Yes. That is different than my believing what was hers was mine to carry. This was our agreement. It doesn't mean I didn't offer my affection to help and support her.
Did I feel her stresses? Yes. Did I choose to take them on for her? No. Again, that was our individual experience. Our choice to experience this way.
There is pressure living on earth. Again it is individual understanding and what we do with the resulting stress that contributes to our experience.
Loving ourselves and coming from a place of love in our interactions with others, along with remaining in a state of non-judgment in our interactions with self and others, paves the way to individual wholeness.
I know. Quite a mouthful. Take time to digest this one. If you choose too.
My hope is that you have a greater understanding, from a feline perspective, of a not so simple question about placing pressure on your cat anyway.