Quand j’ai déménagé ici il y a environ 3 ans, il y avait un chat noir errant qui traînait autour de l’immeuble. Son oreille est coupée, alors je suppose qu’il s’agit d’un chat des rues qui a été stérilisé et vacciné à un moment donné. Il était toujours méfiant mais curieux à mon sujet.
Au bout d’environ un an et demi, il a commencé à venir à ma porte et à se rouler sur mon paillasson. Il l’utilisait également comme griffoir. De temps en temps, je lui laissais de la cataire et c’était drôle de le voir jouer avec. Il a disparu pendant quelques mois et j’ai pensé au pire.
Cependant, en début d’année, je l’ai vu réapparaître près de notre immeuble. Habituellement, il se prélassait au soleil jusqu’à ce que la présence de quelqu’un le rende craintif, puis il partait trotter. Eh bien, aujourd’hui, en sortant de la buanderie, je l’ai trouvé assis là, apparemment en train de m’attendre. Il est venu vers moi, a reniflé ma main avant de me permettre de lui donner tous les câlins et les éloges qu’un chat peut demander. Au bout d’environ 15 minutes, il a été effrayé par le bruit du camion poubelle et s’est enfui.
Est-il à moi maintenant ? J’ai attendu si longtemps qu’il s’habitue à moi et je n’aurais jamais pensé que cela arriverait. Après avoir gagné davantage sa confiance, je veux l’emmener chez le vétérinaire. Il a l’air d’avoir un problème à sa patte arrière. Ensuite, je le laisserais probablement vivre dehors comme il est et je le nourrirai car je n’ai pas de place pour un autre chat à l’intérieur pour le moment. Je prévois de déménager dans un an environ et si jamais il est toujours là, j’adorerais l’emmener avec moi. Je l’ai nommé Bagheera, comme le personnage du Livre de la Jungle.
Quelqu’un a-t-il déjà été dans cette situation ? Que feriez-vous ? Est-il éthique d’adopter un chat habitué à vivre dans la rue comme cela ?
Réponse :
Imagine walking by a stray cat every day on your way to work or school for three years, desperately wanting to pet and befriend it, but struggling due to the language barrier. This was the situation I found myself in, until an unexpected breakthrough occurred.
For three long years, I had admired this beautiful cat from a distance. It had a luscious coat of black fur, piercing green eyes, and an air of mystery about it. Despite my best efforts to get close and establish a connection, the feline remained aloof and distrustful. It seemed as though it would forever remain just out of reach.
One day, as I strolled down the familiar path, something peculiar happened. Out of the blue, I instinctively muttered to myself, « Tu peux me faire confiance », which translates to « You can trust me » in English. Little did I know that this accidental switch to French would prove to be the catalyst for a long-awaited connection.
The moment these words left my lips, the cat’s demeanor shifted. It stopped in its tracks, turned its head in my direction, and locked eyes with me. Gone was the usual guardedness it had exhibited before. Instead, a spark of curiosity flickered in its emerald gaze.
Heart pounding with anticipation, I decided to continue speaking French to the cat. Perhaps it was the novelty of the language or the soothing tone of my voice, but it began to draw nearer. Step by cautious step, it inched closer to me, as if testing the authenticity of my words.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Gradually, the distance between us began to diminish as the language barrier dissolved away. With each exchange of words, whether a simple « Bonjour » or a more elaborate sentence, the trust between us grew.
Eventually, the feline allowed me to stroke its head, its cautious eyes closing with contentment. I could almost sense the relief emanating from its furry frame as it embraced this newfound connection. Our friendship transformed from a distant admiration to a genuine bond that thrived on mutual trust and understanding.
The three-year wait had been worth it. The language of love, it seemed, was not limited to spoken words. It transcended even the boundaries of human-animal communication, finding an unexpected home in a foreign tongue. French had bridged the gap, allowing me and this stray cat to form a connection that would forever change both our lives.
As time went on, our encounters became more frequent, and the cat even allowed me to provide it with food and shelter. It seemed that our shared understanding had enabled it to feel safe and secure while in my presence.
Reflecting on this journey, I realized the significance of patience, persistence, and the power of language. Our initial moments together might have been lost in translation, but it was the unwavering determination to establish a connection that ultimately triumphed.
So, next time you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t underestimate the power of language, even if it isn’t your native tongue. Never hesitate to communicate in any way possible, for you never know when a stray cat or any other being might understand your heart’s intentions and reciprocate with trust and affection.
