Off the Mark by Mark Parisi for September 28, 2023

Breathe out—breathe in. Breathe out—breathe in.

Cats love to mess with our minds.

Mmmmm Massage! I have an expert in deep tissue. Last time I went I left with bruises. Mrs asked “What did she do to you?!!!!” I told her, “exactly what she was supposed to do!”

Pre-coffee brain had to read twice since it just looked like he was rolling his belly fat over the unmoving cat.

Cat doesn’t just walk away. Cat claws his arms bloody. That’s how they tell you you’re done.

You never know what they want…it differs daily!

It feels good to come.

I do give great cat massages. I had one cat who would just lie down and imply, “Do whatever you like. Dislocate a joint if that helps, just put it back when you’re done.”

I do a little Swedish, a little, very gentle Trager and, of course, the delicate Fingernails Scratch techniques. I cannot do Shiatsu on a cat because all the pressure points are in different places than human beings.

Ever since I read an online statement that humans are the only species to give random massages to other species, I’ve thought of pettings that way.

The cat provides a perfect backdrop to the story.

Reiki the cat. Don’t touch me I’m shy.