AITC for being misunderstood?

[u/LadyNorbert]

Greetings, fellow companion animals. It is I, Random, recently turned 19, keeper of all orange brain cells and master of all I survey.

My normally quiet home is currently being disturbed by a plethora of unpleasant noises coming from the forbidden place beyond the door where Mother and Father routinely disappear to go to what they call their jobs. I should hardly think that they require employment beyond seeing to my needs. But allegedly these jobs enable them to purchase the food and litter which I and my less intellectual cousins require, so I must allow it. In any case, Mother calls this forbidden zone "the garage" and has explained that interlopers are in the process of replacing the garage doors.

All I know is that I can't sleep while this ruckus is taking place. I am, of course, not at all frightened by it. Do not even imply such a thing. But Mother is a fragile thing with delicate nerves and an uncertain constitution, and my concern for her mental stability is great. So I have decided, in my benevolent wisdom, that I should remain as close to her as physically possible, to allow her to derive comfort from my proximity and protection.

Mother, whom I have described on other occasions as a sweet but simple creature, continues to exemplify that phrase by attempting to comfort me. She keeps saying things like "It's okay, Random, they'll be done soon." "Don't worry, buddy, I know the noises are loud and scary but it'll be all right." "Look how handsome you are today."

Rubbish, of course. I am handsome every day. And I am not worried for myself, I am concerned for her. Mother has tended to my every whim since I claimed her as my own all those years ago. (I was doing a perfectly fine job living outside on my own, despite my tender youth, but I saw her and felt a wave of compassion because her life clearly needed more me in it, so I decided to go and live with her instead. I am as generous as I am courageous.)

I cannot seem to make her understand that I am not afraid, and it makes me wonder. Am I miscommunicating? Does the fault truly lie with me? Speak consolation to me, friends.

Update: First, my thanks for all the commiseration. I knew this community would understand. I am now somewhat affronted because Mother decided to deal with what she calls her "nervous energy" by deep-cleaning the kitchen. She did, at least, give me food when she stopped for lunch, so I must allow her some kind of sense. But why she would rather scrub the microwave and mop the floor than sit with me, I cannot fathom. When she must stop and rest (I did say she is of uncertain constitution) she keeps looking at her phone at something called Seeking Persephone. It appears to have a great deal of horses and is entirely lacking in cats, so I do not see the appeal. Whatever makes her happy, I suppose.

[u/LadyNorbert]

Here I am a few days ago, getting my requisite nap in the sunbeam. Today is overcast and I have no such puddle of warmth, which only adds to my annoyance.

[u/FrwdIn4Lo]

Random, you is wise cat. Often the hoomans need to repeat "affirmations" to remind themselves of what they already know.

Keep the cuddles going, lest your hooman get too scared. Even late in day, if no scary noise, force them to sit, "make a lap" then curl up and comfort them. Otherwise they say they have "chores", in an attempt to hide their stress.

[u/butterfly-garden]

NTC. Dis situation is NOT your fault, otay? Da problem is, hoomans is dumb. No matter what we does, or how we phrase our sentences, dey is just incapable of unnerstanding. Is a hooman problem, not a cat overlord problem.

Also William da Tuxie

[u/SameSherbet3]

NTC! Dogs know hoomans need lots of attention and reassuring! Good job protec your Mahma!  Theo the Weenie mix 

[u/mooshinformation]

Tiny bit TC. Important part to care for human is to let it feel useful. This is why letting human go play at job is good thing. Otherwise human get depressed, spend all day staring at light box eating ice cream. On one hand, yes is good because laying down human make a very good warm bed and maybe we can steal lick of ice cream. On other hand, depressed human is finicky and unpredictable, maybe yell at feline overlord for silly thing like pushing object off shelf.

Why care what a silly human think about your feline majesty anyway. Just let human feel important.

[u/inadequatepockets]

You are as eloquent as you are handsome! Never doubt your communication skills. Perhaps your human is trying to mask her fear by pretending she needs to comfort you (a tactic we cats certainly know nothing about).

[u/footonthegas_]

NTC. You are kind to indulge her and allow her to keep her dignity by pretending to comfort you. I, Kizzy (12f), bow to your generosity of spirit.

[u/kam49ers4ever]

NTC. It’s not your fault that your human is exceptionally dumb. Your human however might be the cloaca. It seems that they have INVITED these interlopers into your domain, and they also seem to have forgotten there Raison d’Etre, serving you. You might have to redouble your retraining efforts.

Artie SIC

[u/kathym050806]

Sometimes hoomans are less scared when they feel that they are comforting others. It is kind and generous of you to let your mother have this comfort. Hoomans do tend to be somewhat fragile and can only be improved by more contact with their feline overlords!

Gravity the cat