Anatole had never seen that in 10 years. Well, he wasn't the most experienced veterinary
assistant, but still... Anicette was the most recalcitrant animal he had ever seen. Even though he opened her cage at regular intervals to caressing her or giving her some treats dedicated to sterilized cats, nothing helped ! She did as she pleased, folding her body into the only shaded area of the cage, even going so far as to push the treats to the entrance of the latter, as if to further signify her refusal to cooperate with Anatole, and perhaps in fact the entire veterinary practice in question.
- I prefer tuna.
He then suddenly turned around to understand where this voice was coming from. He was supposed to be alone in the establishment, it was very early in the morning and the secretaries and doctors had not yet arrived.
- Yes, you heard correctly, I prefer tuna. Give me some tuna !
Stunned by the invective, his gaze turned towards Anicette's cage, just behind the shelf, the only inhabited cage at the moment, the other animals supposing to arrive a little later in the morning.
The gray cat had come out of the shadows to gaze at him with her single emerald green eye. The cat had in fact had to have her left eye removed because of a tumor which had broken out a year earlier. A long year where her eyesight had declined, but where the pain had progressively increased... A long year where Anicette had been between two waters, stranded between veterinarians, secretaries and her own home. At least she could boast of having a loving home.
With a sad expression, she observed him, letting her right paw hang nonchalantly outside the cage.
- Come on, you must have a can of tuna lying around somewhere ? Added the voice in his head.
And yet, Anicette didn't say a word and remained static, as if she was waiting... Her can of tuna ?
Anatole finally understood that he had just practiced what we call “animal communication”. Well, he hadn't become a shaman yet, but let's say that his mind was perhaps starting to open up to less mundane things, which was perhaps not to displease him...
- Don't worry about your uncle, he'll get away with it again this time." Added the cat, still staring at him with her green eye.
- What do you mean by that ? He tried out loud, frankly engaging in dialogue with the animal.
- I mean that even though your uncle clearly has addictions to marijuana and alcohol, he will get over it again this time... The animal's voice sounded inside his head.
- It's true that he ended up in the hospital again... Once again. He said laconically out loud.
- Yes, at the addiction department of Purpan hospital...
- But how do you know all that ?
- We animals have not replaced our intuition with rational reflection like you, humans. We feel everything, and much more... Our third eye is always open to information.
- What is the third eye ?
- This is what allows you to see beyond the material and physical dimension...
- You mean beyond appearances ?
- Yes, in a way... And that allows you to understand, at the moment, for example, that I'm not just a cat...
- That's to say ?
- Well, the fact that you can communicate with me telepathically demonstrates that like you, I have a mind, and even a soul...
- Ah yes, perhaps... He said, thoughtfully. But why couldn't I hear you before, then ?
- Because you weren't ready to open up your third eye.
- Oh well... And what does “being ready” mean, exactly?
- When you are ready to put your heart before your head so as not to let your head's thoughts parasitize your extra-sensory perceptions... But it takes a certain amount of letting go and courage to do so...
Anatole had not fully understood Anicette's answers, but this exchange had pleased him all the same, as much as it had amazed him, on this beautiful April morning. A little disconcerted, he stepped forward and smiled at the cat who this time allowed herself to be petted without flinching too much.