#wishing everyone with outdoor cats a very happy 'i hope someone steals your cat'

[healingheartdogs]

I have seen a couple of posts across social medias in the last couple of weeks about rat dogs not being a good recommendation for pest control in place of "barn cats" because dogs are significantly more work than cats are to manage and train and ngl it really annoys me that the neglect of cats is so normalized that people think they need zero management or training compared to dogs, especially when lack of management and training is literally part of the reason they are an invasive ecosystem destroying pest and commonly die horrible and fully preventable deaths outdoors. The real reason rat dogs aren't a good suggestion to people who have "barn cats" is because the vast majority of those people aren't actually using their cats for pest control at all, they are just keeping cats around and neglecting them and calling them "barn cats" as the excuse for why they keep them outdoors unmanaged and untrained (and often without proper vet care).

Cats deserve just as much medical care as dogs, cats deserve just as much management as dogs, cats deserve just as much play and enrichment provided by their owners as dogs, cats deserve to have their exercise needs met in a way that is safe for both them and other animals in their environments just like dogs, cats deserve training to make them easier to live with and contain and safer to interact with for other people and animals just like dogs, cats deserve protection from predators and diseases and parasites they can encounter outside just like dogs. Cats are not low to no effort alternatives to dogs. Throwing a cat outdoors is not a better or easier solution to a pest problem than getting a ratting dog (if that pest problem even actually exists and is being treated with the use of a cat, which I highly doubt in almost all cases), and is still harmful to the environment and dangerous for the cat even if the cat is occasionally killing mice for you (not rats, don't even get me started on cats for rat control, that is actual cruelty). If taking care of one animal is too much work neglecting another animal is not the solution. Use another pest management method that doesn't require you to take care of an animal at all if providing adequate animal care is a problem for you.

If you have mice inside your house or another building or whatever and an INDOOR cat that you use to help control small pests that are coming INDOORS and the cat also stays contained INDOORS where it can't decimate local small wildlife populations and you take care of it and make sure to get it frequent vet care for potential parasites and diseases it may pick up from those pests then this post is not about you. Scroll on instead of "okay but"-ing me, please. This is about outdoor/indoor-outdoor "barn" cats and cats being neglected under the false guise of them being kept around for "pest control". There is no justifiable reason for someone to have an outdoor cat. Calling it a "barn cat" or a "working cat" doesn't make them not invasive predators, doesn't make them not at risk for death by predation, doesn't make them resistant to parasites or diseases, doesn't make them resistant to poisons other people may set out that they get into or the small animals they kill get into and transfer to them, doesn't make them immune to being hit by cars, and doesn't make them immune to potential animal abuse by strangers. If you have ferals that aren't sociable that you're just taking care of at least keep them contained in an actual barn or sheltered catio or something -- not free to roam --and you still need to provide them vet care including neutering them otherwise you're just making more of a problem and still neglecting animals.

[myselfinserts]

Learning to love you has been the greatest pleasure of my entire life…

He honestly thought this day would never come. Nice things like this never happened to Ceri Aylward. He never got lucky. Never got the guy. Never got happily ever after. For years, he’d resigned himself to a life of eternal bachelorhood. Just him and his pub. Alone again, naturally. 

And yet, here he was. In a small room in the garden house, trying to fix himself up to look nice walking down the aisle to see his soon to be husband. 

Husband, he thought. I still can’t believe it. 

It hadn’t been an easy wedding to plan. Not for them, at least. Finding a good caterer was a struggle, and Ceri had been incredibly tempted to just do it himself. But his fiance had insisted he not do any of the actual work outside of selections, despite not doing the same when it came to their clothes. There were a few nights where they went to bed frustrated and not speaking, but somehow, they managed to talk things out the next morning. It never got to the point where they shouted at each other, and in many ways, that was a relief. 

The venue was a lovely rose garden affair, with a small club of sorts that could comfortably house all their guests for the weekend, and had a lovely outdoors patio where the reception would be held. The sky was clear and open, perfect for a summer evening under the stars. Ceri was still in awe at how Étienne was able to get it, as when he’d tried the first ten times, it’d been booked out well within two years. 

The entire event wasn’t nearly as big or grand as planning their friends’ affairs, with the guest list being limited to just their closest friends and family.Perhaps that was why it seemed so much more stressful to Ceri compared to other events he’d done in the past. It wasn’t a major party with nearly fifty guests. It was his and Étienne wedding day, with very few people. Ceri could work with things going wrong on the former. Not so much the latter.

This has to be perfect. This has to be perfect for him. Can’t settle for less. I can’t screw this up. I can’t-

“Ack, Ceri, stop fussing with yer hair already!”

Ceri let out a sigh. “Sorry papa. I just...I just want this to be perfect.”

“Just relax, kiddo,” Gary assured gently, fixing up his tie. “Étienne‘ll understand if you look a little flustered. He’s an arse, but he’s a patient one.”

Ceri snickered. “Are you allowed to say that about my fiance?”

Gary smirked. “The kid called me many nastier words over cards the other night. It’s our little thing as in-laws.” His smile turned softer, hands reaching up and fixing the loose strands of hair. “If only Jason were here. Fy ngwr annwyl... Your dad would be so happy for you, you have no idea...”

“I wish he were here too.” Ceri wrapped his arms around Gary, letting out a sigh. “I’m glad you’re still here. I don’t think I’d make it down the aisle otherwise.”

“You’ll be fine, son. I promise you.” With a quick hug, Gary parted ways with him, stopping at the door for but a moment. “Take as long as you need. I’ll be right outside the door.”

Ceri watched him go, waiting but a second before he started pacing, stealing glances of himself in the mirror. He almost didn’t recognize himself. The same heather shirt he was used to wearing was there, but he still wasn’t used to the dark suit. And the soft green of his tie and patch seemed strange in place of his typical red. He looked handsome, he’d admit, but it still felt surreal. Far too good to be true.

What if this is just a dream? I wake up and learn none of it ever happened? What if I get there and he changes his mind? What if he’s only doing this because he feels obligated? He wouldn’t do that. No, of course not. But still...

A gentle knock at the door snaps him from his thoughts, and he turned to the door, not moving from his spot near the mirror. “Come in.”

Slowly, L tip toed into the room, her long black gown trailing behind her slightly. “Hey. Someone thought you might be panicking a little, so I came to check on you.”

Ceri smiled. “I’m fine, really. Just a little nervous.”

“I can see that.” She slipped a small box into his hands, giving them a firm squeeze. “Just relax. It’ll be fine.” Despite her mask still obscuring her eyes, Ceri was sure she had winked. “Don’t hide too long, okay?”

Before he could ask what she meant, L hurried out the door, leaving him alone again. He glanced at the box, slightly smaller than a ring box, fingers tracing along the gold lines over a red surface. Carefully, he flipped it open. He couldn’t help but gasp when he saw a small, gold tie pin with a lovely pear nestled inside. Shimmering in the light, he admired the soft pink sheen the gem had. Also inside was a little note, just big enough to read. 

“I’m waiting for you.”

Ceri bit back the tears forming in his eye and hurried to put on the pin. Once it was in place, he gave himself one more look over. He seemed more complete now. 

“I better not keep him waiting then.”

Ceri finally left the room, and headed out to walk down the aisle. 

Gary smiled, taking his son’s arm. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

The music started. And soon Ceri found himself moving forward. It was as if everything was in slow motion. The scent of flowers in the air. The sun shining brightly on his skin. The smiles of all their loved ones watching happily. Étienne waited at the alter, standing tall in his soft grey suit, a lovely pin matching Ceri’s on his aqua tie. He practically shone gold. A work of art that enraptured him.

You’re beautiful...

“Thank you,” Étienne whispered as they finally stood together. “You’re rather enchanting yourself.”

Ceri’s face burned. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did.”

Once everyone was seated again, the minister began his speech. But Ceri had a hard time paying attention. His gaze was fully locked onto Étienne. He still couldn’t believe this was real. It had to be a dream. A beautiful fantasy. 

One he hoped he’d never wake up from. 

“And now, the exchanging of the vows and rings.” The ordained looked between the two. “Um...who has the rings?”

Étienne nodded to the back row. “She does.”

Right on queue, Honey hopped down from her seat, wearing a lovely dress that matched Étienne‘s tie, a soft green pillow on her back holding the gold bands. Everyone let out a gentle “aaww”, and the cat sat patiently as the rings were retrieved. After her role was done, she scuttled to the front row and climbed onto Chris’ lap. 

Well done, Honey, he thought, looking at the ring in his hand. Okay. It’s time.

“Étienne,” Ceri began. “When we first met, I had no idea that this is where I’d end up. Had someone told me that day ‘The man that ran out of your pub just now? You’re gonna marry him someday’ I’d have told them they were crazy.” He took a deep breath, his throat beginning to tighten as he looked him in the eye. “I had resigned myself to spend the rest of my days alone on Elspie, in an empty house shrouded in misery. That I wouldn’t see you again. Instead you...you came back. We talked. And then I finally took that long awaited trip to Paris I’d wanted to take for so long. You’ve built in me a confidence and lust for adventure I hadn’t felt in ages. I grew to love learning about the world again because of you. To get out there and experience life as the adventure that it is, moving forward to the light. I learned that I deserved to look to the future, not just wallow in the past. Growing up, my dad used to say to me, “love always means learning. Learning about what inspires you. Learning about the people closest to you. Love means learning, and learning means living.” It’s written deep into my DNA. Learning is love. And...” The tears started to fall as he slid the ring onto his beloved’s finger. “Learning to love you has been the greatest pleasure of my entire life. Being in love with you is the very definition of happiness to me. I’m not just existing anymore. I’m truly living now. You are my greatest adventure, Étienne. And I promise, to continue to keep learning with you. To grow with you. To fight. To care. To tend to you. Stand with you. And to keep on loving you, until I no longer see the dawn.”

Étienne smiled softly, gently taking Ceri’s hands into his own. “Ceri, let me start out by saying that you continue to be quite the handful.” Ceri couldn’t help but chuckle at that just a little before Étienne continued. “Before meeting you, I was content in my independence. And I knew I’d live a full life doing what I love most, so I was prepared to spend my days without a romantic partner. But having you here in my life now, it’s added a beauty that I hadn’t expected, but greatly welcome. Loving you, being in love with you, is more than an emotion or an action. It’s an extraordinary, once in a lifetime challenge. One that I want to face with you. And I promise to stand by your side through all of it. The good and the bad. I’ll stand by you as you stand by me. As an equal. As a partner. As a husband. Loving you in the ways you deserve to be loved. Until death do us part.”

That was it. Ceri couldn’t hold it in anymore. He broke into a quiet sob, smiling brighter than the stars in the night sky. He didn’t know how long the tears fell. All he could process were the feelings of a hand lightly wiping the tears away with a soft handkerchief, and soothing whispers. He hadn’t even noticed he was now wearing his ring. “I-i’m sorry,” he stammered. “I’m just...I’m just so happy, I...”

“I know, darling,” Étienne said softly. “I know.”

“By the power vested in me,” said the ordained, “I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss the groom.” 

Ceri felt his heart beat loudly in his ears as Étienne pulled him close, and leaned in to meet him halfway. 

“CERI! CERI, THE MILK!”

Ceri jumped, quickly removing the pan from the heat and turning off the stove. The last of the milk was ruined. Burned beyond use. And they didn’t have time to go out and get some more. He silently cursed himself for getting distracted. “Sorry,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“You’ve been spacing out all day,” Gary said worriedly.

“Are you okay?” Étienne asked. 

“I’m fine, I promise. I just...” Ceri headed out of the kitchen. “I need a minute.” He hurried towards the stairs, not looking back a second. 

Gary put a hand on Étienne’s shoulder. “Go check on him. I’ll clean up in here.”

Étienne nodded. “Order take out, too?”

“Sure. From Giraldi’s?”

“Perfect. Sounds good.” 

Étienne took his time heading up the stairs, giving Ceri time to be settled down by the time he arrived at their bedroom door. As he crept in, he saw Ceri standing over by the dresser, holding a small box in his hand. Careful not to startle him, Étienne stepped in closer as slowly as possible, until he could see what it was his husband held. 

In his hand was a pearl tie pin, and a small note. 

“One of the happiest days of my life,” Ceri muttered. “I meant every word of it, you know. Learning to love you was the greatest pleasure I ever knew. And I got really lucky in being able to feel that twice over.” He set the pin back in the jewelry box, closing it with a smile. “I’m just sorry I actually am keeping you waiting this time.”

Étienne stepped in close behind him, wrapping his arms tightly around his shoulders. “I made a promise, remember? ‘To stand by your side through all of it. The good and the bad.’”

“’As an equal, a partner, and a husband.’” Ceri leaned into the touch. “My husband.”

“My Ceri.” He kissed him on the cheek, pulling him just a little closer. “Perhaps once more of your memory comes back, we take a trip to see the gardens again.”

Ceri let out a soft hum. “Can I pack us a picnic? We can eat, then dance under the stars for hours like we did before.”

“That sounds perfect.”