Attachment: Always and Forever

I received a private message from a friend and follower of Mando's journey.  She wrote of a proposition she had thought of for Mando.  Knowing of Mando's great love for animals, our friend inquired if he might be interested in caring for a kitten for a few weeks. The kitten's owner was between apartments and was moving to a NO PETS ALLOWED place. This would be a temporary placement until the kitten's owner could find a more suitable housing arrangement.

How lovely, I thought, Mando's first animal rescue job. I considered how having to give the kitten back in 3 weeks might affect Mando.  What if he became attached? Wouldn't he be sad to relinquish the kitten when the job was over?  I asked if there was a possibility in outright adopting the kitten. There was not. I told my friend I needed a little more time to decide and I would get back to her. I would consult with Mercury first.

I shouted from behind my computer to Mercury who was in the kitchen at the time.  "Merc, someone has offered for Mando to pet sit a kitten for 3 weeks. Do you think Mando would become too attached to it in that time, and not be able to let it go?"

Mercury poked his head out from behind the open refrigerator door and yelled back.  "I'd be more concerned with if we can keep the kitten alive for 3 weeks!"

Apparently, the refrigerator's inability to auto produce complete meals left Mercury feeling deprived.

"Never mind Merc...I'll discuss this with Mando. Oh, by the way, I'll be cooking dinner in about 15 minutes...if you think you can survive that long."  I went off to find Mando playing in the backyard.

"Mando! Guess what?  A friend of ours messaged me and asked if you would be interested in pet sitting a kitten for 3 weeks. Of course, you would have to give the kitten back after the 3 weeks were over. What d'ya  think?  Your first rescue animal assignment!"

Mando was quiet for a few moments.  Then he said,  "A kitten? We would have to give him back?  I don't think so, I would be too worried about attachment issues."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That was EXACTLY what I thought...or so I thought...

" I mean, what if Klaus (our kitten) became attached to the new kitten and then they were separated, never to see one another again?  I don't think he could stand the pain." Mando was very serious.

 THE KITTEN? He was worried about the kitten?

"Klaus already was separated from his brother and two sisters. That is hard enough. I  think one more loss could put him over the edge. He might become suicidal. NO, I WON'T DO THAT TO HIM. If we could keep the other kitten, then yes, but not if we have to give him back. I REFUSE TO DO THAT."

Mando put his desires aside for the sake of his kitten's feelings. That's Mando!

Niklaus Mason

Ironically, Klaus is named after the character Niklaus Mikaelson from the television series The Originals. Spoiler Alert. In the last episode the 4 Mikaelson siblings must break their vow of  "Always and Forever" and separate. They go in 4 different directions, vowing never to see one another again.