Cats, Kids and Love

Part 1 can be read here.

We’d been married five years when our daughter was born. At the time we lived in an apartment and had spent several months fixing up one of the rooms to be a nursery. Both of the cats were fascinated with what was going on. Our girl cat, Mia sensed something huge, I think. After all, whenever we get out the suitcases or rearrange any furniture she turns into a big ball of kitty madness.

Creb also sensed something huge, I think, but he deals with things differently. If he is still getting his daily allotment of food, then all must be right with the world. And so for him, it was. He’s always been a chill cat. Even at the vet, when we got him fixed, the vet tech brought him out, hugging him and smiling. “Oh, I love your cat! He’s so wonderful. He’s been such a good boy!” As opposed to when we picked up Mia for the same procedure. The vet tech came out, sans cat, pissed off expression, hair slightly disheveled and said, “Come and get your cat.” Anybody that tells you cats are all the same is crazy.

Creb deals with turmoil by showing love. We’d take him to get his claws trimmed, and he’d purr and nuzzle the person trimming his claws even though I’m pretty sure he wasn’t having a great time, and with 13 toes, and claws to go with them, he could have easily eviscerated the person. But that’s never been his style. He’s the perfect illustration of the saying, “The greatest thing, you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.”

It was no different when we brought home our daughter. Mia, the poor dear was beside herself. If I could have heard her thoughts, I’m pretty sure they would have been something like, “What the @*&! is THAT?! It smells funny, it makes strange noises and you’ve dedicated a whole room to it! What is wrong with you people!”

Creb was a little different about it. He was still getting his food, maybe even a little extra, so I think he thought everything was fine. He definitely kept a distance from our daughter at first though, only approaching when one of us was holding her. No doubt to make sure we could stop any wayward fists from grabbing a tail or an ear. But she never did. We started from day one getting them used to each other and eventually it took. Mia still hissed at her from time to time, and would meow at her door if she ever cried in her room, as if to say, “Be quiet you strange little monkey thing,” but that’s just how Mia is. She’s my husband’s familiar really, she just tolerates the rest of us.

Creb got braver though. He would sit near her and when she started to get more mobile let her pet him and hug him even if that’s not exactly what he wanted at the time. When she was old enough to feed him though, that’s when everything changed. Suddenly, she was the Best Human Ever! She brought food, lots of it and was more than happy to do it. After that, there was no turning back.

My husband and I never dreamed of getting rid of our cats when we had our daughter, even though a few people suggested it. They were here first after all, and they are part of the family. And after seeing our daughter and Creb bond like they have I can’t imagine life any differently.