I quit smoking 5 days ago and I quit drinking 9 days ago and I haven't been very nice to my cat Elwood. I yell at him when he wants to play and get very annoyed with him even when I know he's not trying to get in trouble. I've got a short fuse lately and am very irritable.

I know it is because I am having physical withdrawals that I am in such a bad mood, and I want to work on being more patient with Elwood and remember that he can feel my energy and emotions even if I can't explain it to him for him to understand. I want to be more mindful of Elwood and be more loving even when I'm irritable and moody.

How do I be kinder to Elwood...AND to myself?