Charlotte's Web (of Love!)
I had such a wonderful response from all you cat lovers out there when I first posted about our new kitten, I had to check back in with an update. Charlotte has been with us for about four weeks now, and we all just love her! She’s been a delightful addition to our household, and so I thought I’d just share a few of our experiences, and once again solicit your comments:
• Luke and Jamie, our twin seven-year-olds, run to go see Charlotte when they get up in the morning, and then again when they get home from school. They adore her. They love to wrap her up in a soft blanket, and carry her over to the couch where they’ll take turns holding and petting her. They love devising toys that Charlotte can play with, from the ribbons they win at their tennis lessons, to their longest-limbed stuffed animals. They also love to play ball with her; Charlotte seems to have a skill to chase after a ball or stuffed mouse, and then bat it back with her paw toward the person who threw it.
• They’ve been very responsible caring for her. One boy in particular has taken it upon himself to be the litter box guy; without complaint each day, he does the dirty work, packs it up in a garbage bag, and marches it outside to the garbage can, all on his own. One word: unprecedented.
• Our autistic son, Liam… well, he doesn’t quite know WHAT to think of Charlotte just yet. They haven’t really bonded. But I know that pets can be a wonderful means of reaching people with autism, and we really think that they’ll be good buddies before too long.
• I expected the kids to love the new cat. But it’s my wife who has really become smitten. Every time I look up, there’s Lauren, cradling Charlotte in her arms, carrying her to whatever room she’s going to next. My wife is always sweet and nice, but she seems to smile even more often since Charlotte showed up.
• But MY time with Charlotte is when I get home at night. For so many years, working the evening news schedule, I’ve come home to a house full of sleeping people; you know, no one to hang out with. Well, the people are still sleeping, but now I get to hang with Charlotte while I wind down from the long day. Man, you hold that cute little animal, and feel it purring up against your heart, and a big chunk of stress built up during the day just dissolves.
She’s already become more playful without getting too bite-y/scratchy, as I wrote about before. There’s less worry about her running away or hiding. She seems to love to prowl about the rooms where the people are, doing whatever she has to do to get her share of attention. Charlotte’s already about twice as big as when we got her, and, as you can see from the picture, she’s really a looker!
To sum up: we’re a happier, more relaxed family since Charlotte came on board. Thanks so much for all your wonderful tips and congratulations after my first kitty-cat post… let me hear from you again!
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Comments: 11
Jim - that's wonderful that Charlotte has spun a web of love around your family! Cats are wonderful at keeping you company! My cat can get into trouble but is usually immediately forgiven, much like children.
I do have a bone to pick with you however with the way you labeled your son Liam. As a special education teacher and a person with a disability, I pay close attention to disabilities and issues surrounding them. You said your "autistic" son Liam, which puts his label before him. I know you see your son as who he is and not as his label. However when you label him as your "autistic son, you are portraying his autism before his individual self. When you label him this way, people will start seeing his label before all else. A better way to introduce your son would be to say, my son Liam who has autism. I suspect that he has difficulty with change and is still getting used to Charlotte. I can't wait for a blog involving him and Charlotte!
cute cat :)
Is she a mouser? Ever watch a cat after they killed a mouse? they fling it into the air, knock it around a bit before they get bored, you kinda feel sorry for the mouse. I don't clip the cat's nails, feel it's their weapon. Big on the Fancy Feast which they seem to go for, they seem to prefer it over the Friskies for some reason. Does she jump on your bed at 4 in the morning because she wants you to get up?
I think the natural use of a cat used to be catching mice, but this is rarely the case now.
She's a beauty and looks really happy. My cat is on my lap as I type this! She is one lucky rescued kitty.
I am going to microchip my cat, even though they don't go out, because it reduces my insurance. If your cat goes out at all most vets recommend this.
Yes, I've decided to buy insurance before my own health insurance. Because my employment is not steady, and pet insurance is way cheaper than human insurance, I don't want to be in a spot where I can't pay for a sick animal. I had a terrible experience with VPI pet insurance years ago, but this time I went with Pet Plan. It's recommended by the Humane society and has gotten good reviews by www.petinsurancereview.com. There's more reviews though.
I'm sure Liam will grow to love little Charlotte in his own time. Anyway, she's a real sweetheart!
Jim - I, too, have a bone to pick with you. When you say, "our new kitten, Charlotte," you put the cat/kitten label before her. I hope you see Charlotte for who she really is -- a living, breathing, feeling, sentient being -- and not as just some label. Shame on you, Jim.
Then you have the nerve to say, "But it’s my wife ... Lauren..." Once again, you put the label before the being. What the hell's wrong with you? Are you some kind of sick monster? These are not mere objects you're talking about; these are living creatures.
Worst of all, you refer to Luke and Jamie as "our twin seven-year-olds" -- as if you actually OWN them! They are human beings, Jim, not your property. They are real people, not "twins," not "seven-year-olds." How awful. You are sick, Jim. I hope you immediately go out and seek the help which you so desperately need, before it's too late. In the meantime, I would urge the police to search your backyard for the bodies of any of your other possible victims.
P.S.: Did you all see J-Lo fall on her big, fat ass during the American Music Awards? Sweet.
But seriously, Jim: That Charlotte sure is a cutie. Just make sure you don't let Kaity get too close to her -- you know how those Asians are. Everything is food to them. If you're not careful, Kaity will be posting her new "Charlotte Stew" recipe on her blog before you know it...
Charlotte is adorable! Thank you for the update, Jim. I work with people with disabilities, and there is nothing more wonderful than how pet therapy can get through to these wonderful people.
Charlotte and your family are all very lucky!
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What's up with the maniac bashing you for using "Wife, kitten, etc"... Not EVERYONE on the earth knows who Lauren is, or that your boys are 7. So CAT, calm down, as Jim is just being descriptive in his story to help those who have never read before, understand what role the people in his life fit.
Dang.
Anyway, it is MAGICAL how much love an animal can give. I always loved this quote "A puppy/kitten is the only being on this earth that loves you, more than it loves itself."