Nothing about this blog post is what it “should” be.

It “should” have been posted on Thursday.

It “should” have continued my thread of writing about how the principles of “Good to Great” related to entrepreneurship.

It “should” have skipped a week on the “Good to Great” thread and focused on the ideas raised in the latest issue of Psychology Today, with a dream cover story titled “Revenge of the Introvert.” (I was even quoted in a companion piece to the story – yippie!)

Instead, I’m writing about what I really “should” be writing about today, and that’s cats.

Today is the five-month anniversary of saying goodbye to my precious Fiona, whom I wrote about back in October of last year. She appeared in my dream last night (this happens to me, where cats I have loved come back in my dreams on the anniversary of their passing, without me actively being aware that an anniversary is happening). I felt her presence in my sleep.

And this morning, walking with a friend, we encountered a cat who had been hit by a car. It was lying in the road, and cars were swerving around it. I picked up the beautiful medium haired tabby and carried it to the side; he was gone, but only recently so. My friend called the number on the tag on his collar and the vet gave us the owner’s address. We walked two blocks to the house and gave the sad news to the owner. We walked back to the cat with him. We watched Robert carry Thomas back home in a box.

As soon as I got home, I found Lucy in a chair and Tommy on a futon and loved on both of them for a few minutes. I hugged my husband. I spent some time sitting with Fiona’s ashes, then put her on the window sill, a favorite spot.

Just like objects are deemed masculine and feminine in non-English languages, I think animals have qualities of introversion or extroversion. My theory is that cats are introverted by nature. They generally are more solitary than social. They are reserved, curious and their love and trust is not a given. They form deep bonds with one or two people; unless they’re really social, they can take or leave anyone else. They are quiet, unobtrusive and good listeners. They are loving friends.

I think that’s why I feel a profound connection to cats. They are introvert in animal form, and they are completely and blissfully comfortable in their own skin (good modeling for all of us!). Further evidence comes from a popular quip: Dogs come when called, cats take a message and get back to you. The very social, comfortable-with-anyone dog is much more extroverted and johnny-on-the-spot. Cats are more introverted… they hear you, think about it and then decide what to do (unless what they hear is a can opening!!).

Hug everyone you love today – introverted or extroverted, furry and four-legged, or tall and two-legged. Life is precious, and every one of us is a gift.

In memory of Fiona, in memory of Thomas, and in honor of our introverted feline friends… this blog post is for you.

(Cat Collage features, starting upper left and going clockwise: Fiona & Tommy; Lucy; Chessie; Tommy & Fiona; me & Fiona on her last day; Tommy)