TYSL02

Age 24, Gender F, Nationality American, Occupation Student in Public Affairs

(Jasmine = Jazz) Jasmine has finally found a home with me, after going from my big sister's apartment to my parent's basement, to a summer apartment with me, back to the top of the water heater in my parents' home, & finally with me again in Minneapolis, as my only roommate right now. She is a nine-year-old mutt whose (almost) every move is endearing, as she still resembles a kitten. In some ways, its more comforting to greet her as I return home & open the door than it ever was when I had human roommates. Jazz always provides me with an excuse to get off the phone or is a conversation piece when I'm on it, reminds me how interconnected all life forms are, teaches me what responsibility for another being does mean and can mean, and makes me laugh whenever she wakes me by licking me -- on the elbow, nose, toes, thigh, wherever. And this is a cat we're talking about here! Then after minutes of licking she decides that I taste just lovely ... and gnaws on me. Envision this cycle daily. That and always sleeping where I do. You can see that our "symbiotic" relationship is routine, cyclical, & changing, just as it is, I imagine, with many others who have pets (or spouses). Obviously, she never speaks, but rarely even meows, so our connection has perhaps reached a point of mutual understanding & tolerance. We have our limits & know each other.