There was a time when I was certain I could never deeply love an animal. I know this is1to admit. In Britain, an indifference (冷漠) to pets is considered a fault on one's character.
My wife was also2sure that she could never deeply love me if I could not love animals. And at the beginning of this year, the3increased. We were to4a cat from a friend who had fallen for a woman who is allergic (过敏的) to them.
I5— but coldly enough, I felt, to make clear that I would not be6for the creature's upkeep. I would7the cost of cat food, of course, but like a strict Victorian father I would avoid8entanglement (瓜葛).
However, Hopper-well, I hardly need tell you that Hopper9from other cats. Eight years old but slim as a kitten. Green-eyed and white-socked. Entirely independent but in need of human 10, too, when the mood takes her. Like I said — unique.
These last four months have11me to spend an unexpected amount of time with Hopper. In my makeshift office, she sleeps beside me, meows at my feet, or leaps onto my back. Through the window, I watch Hopper stalk (踱方步) through the long grass, 12me of a wilder world outside. Every morning I13her; every evening we play with a feather stuck to a stick. It is our14-the only part of my timetable that has not been15by the coronavirus (冠状病毒). Without the lockdown, would I have realized the everyday happiness a cat can bring?
