Saiga's Notes

Not long before age 15, my cat got tired of living. Her daily activities shrinked to eat / sleep / piss / sometimes groom. She lost affinity to playing and galloping around as before. Instead, she dragged along, a pale shadow of her lively self, skinny, uneven thin fur. Once or twice a year, a hormone rush turned her into a restless noisy creature with insatiable hunger for being caressed so that my wife dubbed her Scratchbelly. I was much worried and sought a solution. Through thinking, reading and conversations I finally found a fresh look on the life that we gave to our cat. She lived in a flat, always indoor. Never gave birth to kittens, serving as a walking decoration and an amusement for humans. In her dwelling, nothing stayed unexplored or unfamiliar. All games been played, all corners been sniffed. Sick of chasing balls and feathers. I was determined to get my pet out of that hole and my wife supported me. So we embarked on a plan to change the life of the cat... and us. Since ...

We met at the airport, a Brasilian and two Russians. Shook hands. One of us looked at his watch: “Two hours to departure. Mind if we wait in a cafe?” When we were seated, I explained to a waitress that I ate only fruits and vegetables and asked what on the menu was suitable. Both my companions, Russian and Brasilian, looked at me with refreshed curiosity and one asked: “So you're a vegan?” “Actually, I am,” I replied, “albeit usually I prefer not to use the word.” “Why?” both looked intrigued. Why indeed? Simply put, telling people that you’re a vegan is risky for relationship. I recall being assigned to work with a new teammate. He was a nice bloke until lunch, then I mentioned being a vegan and he had turned into a troll. The change was so immediate as if I cast a spell on him by saying the word ‘vegan’. Of course, most people keep being fine and corteous. Yet, it’s easy to notice how they get hold together as if they were whispered in the ear: “Nevermind. Usually, he’s not dange...