Keeping Weird

(You put your right paw in, you put your right paw out, you put your right paw in and you shake it all about…)

Since mama told me the bumper sticker and tee shirts of Austin say “Keep Austin Weird” (originally begun in Santa Cruz, my neighbor who pets me a lot named Lalenya tells me), I have decided to Keep Loulou Weird. Which means that I have a few things one can do daily to keep oneself, too, weird and wonderfully entertained, not to mention causing a stir in any shop, movie theatre, cat kennel or dog run:

1. When you hear music in places that are really uptight, straight, and quiet, or even in places that are hip, lively and stimulating, just cut loose and dance! Just a few kitty two-step moves or even off-the-top-of-the-head innovation that no one in his right mind would ever emulate—they’re the best! Mama did this in a hip treasure store where Mavis Staples was cuttin’ loose with a 60s beat and papa said, “I don’t know her, do you?” to most of the clients…

2. Taste new things. Never say ‘no’ to anything without considering just what you might be missing. If I, for example, were to say, “Watermelon? Are you out of your cabeza?” And then watch that cutie Shitsu, Cookie, of mama’s sis-in-law and brother scarf up cubes of  chilled crimson goodness so that I look like a nu-nu beside her, turning up my nose at such a delicious, cool little treat while everyone oohs and aahs over her cutitude—that would just be DUMB. So next time mama offers me a taste of something I haven’t ever had—let’s say, penne con salmone, just to pick something at random (ha! as opposed to peasant under glass or whatever it is that anthros eat), then I’m going to eat every bite and show that dumb (but darling) Cookie!

3. And to really keep life weird, try this one on:  don’t have to be right about anything! I mean, I KNOW that I’m right when I come in for dinner precisely at 6:00 pm and I’m ALWAYS right when I argue with mama about how much food to put in my dish and if I can have kibble AND wet food, but next time, I’m just gonna lie back and think, “Whatever mama does is right on and I’ll be happy with that decision.”  That’s what I’m gonna do.

Well, I’m gonna try.

Mama knew a shrink years ago who said, “Do you want to be right or do you want to be loved?” Food for thought.

I think I”ll pick the second one.