A Non Human Creature Becomes A Hub For A Dozen Humans

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Fig. A Norwegian Forest Cat. Even though he is not a human, he is a hub for a dozen humans.

I described a man who collects garbage in Komazawa Olympic Park [1]. This man and his wife come to this park twice every day with his cat, a Norwegian Forest Cat.  Around this cat, more than a dozen people come together to enjoy being with him. It’s the first time I’ve realized that a creature, not necessarily human, can serve as a hub for the humans around it.

This elderly cat has kidney issues, such that the owner and those around the cat are primarily concerned with ensuring he uses the toilet. Otherwise, he becomes ill. One quirk about the cat is that he doesn’t use the toilet at home; instead, he heads into the park bushes for that purpose. Afterward, the owner or their wife collects the waste in a bag and takes it home.

The cat doesn’t seem to view humans as superior beings. He doesn’t respond when called, and when we think he’s seeking affection, he quickly moves away. It’s as if he considers himself the park’s king. Despite this, I find it acceptable because he serves as a focal point for the dozen people who gather at the park. Without him, there would be no reason for people to come together and chat every afternoon.

[1] https://japanlatebloomer.blogspot.com/search/label/b.%20Discovering%20Hidden%20Gems%20of%20Japan?updated-max=2024-06-20T18:55:00-07:00&max-results=20&start=1&by-date=false

[2] Other photos of this cat are found at my instagram Other photos of this cat

 

 

 

 

 

 

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