Wanting to talk to animals has been a dreamed-of superpower since at least the days of the Greeks. But I have far more practical reasons for wanting it. I’m just never sure at all if my cat is happy with her amenities.

Do you like the new, automatic water dish? Are you drinking from it? Or are you thirsty because you don’t understand this newfangled drinking dish and only understand the old dish you had? I wish I could ask her this. I need to put you in the carrying case, but we’re not going to the vet or anywhere scary, we’re just visiting my family who you already know and you like being there. I wish I could tell her this. I’m moving my arm, but you don’t need to jump off my lap, I just need to get more comfortable. Oh and which cat bed do you prefer? Are you sleeping in the colorful cat bed because it’s more comfortable, or just because the gray cat bed is in a more open space and you don’t feel safe there?

Frustratingly I may know the answer to this last question, but only through trial and error. Switching the colorful cat bed and the gray one does indeed change which bed she sleeps in. It seems that for cat beds, what’s important is location, location, location, more than color or comfort.

It’s hard to take care of someone who can’t tell you what they want. And it can be stressful when you’re trying to give them what they want but don’t know if you’re getting it right.

I wonder if this is how parents feel?