Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

I Gave In and Got a Cat

With three boys ten and under, I have enough mess to deal with.

The boys are supposed to help clean but most of the time their “help” actually makes more work for me. I haven’t given up on teaching them how to properly clean up, but in the meantime, their help tends to create bigger messes.

But this has been my excuse for not getting another cat. That and my middle son being so devastated by the loss of our last cat that he stayed away from all animals for a while.

Over the past few months, all of my boys started talking about getting another cat. Even the biggest guy around here. He’d text me pictures of the boys holding cats at the pet store or humane society.

And I do actually like cats. I just didn’t want extra work. But, I gave in.

Dobby joined our family shortly before Christmas.

And really, I guess I’ve had kids for so long that the tiny messes a kitten can make really don’t seem like that big of a deal.

Dobby curls up with my oldest as he plays video games or reads.

He makes my youngest laugh when chases his tail or jumps on whatever block creation my son built.

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During the school day, he sits in my lap or right beside me as I work. The first few times I did my workout at home, he tried to attack my legs, but now he goes and takes a nap instead.

At night, Dobby snuggles in with my middle and stays there all night long. That sight every night makes me smile. You might call him our therapy cat.

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So while I wasn’t the one to push for us to get a cat again, I have to admit that I’m glad I gave in.

Do you have a family pet?

 

 

Comments

  2. I just love that picture of Dobby and your son cuddled up. We have a dog and I would change it for anything, though we had Bailey before Jack.

  3. I love his name!! 🙂
    So glad you went with your heart. Truly. It’s always a good choice.

    He’s a cutie(and I don’t even like kitties!)
    xo

  4. We used to have a cat until my oldest suddenly developed an allergy to them. So now we have dogs, that think they are peoples. They sit like humans, they act like humans. Now if we could only work on their ability to turn door knobs to let themselves out… hmmmm

  5. About 3 months ago, we got Benji. Prior, we had two elderly dogs and an elderly cat . . . I won’t say that things were peaceful, but there was a balance. Then the elder of the dogs went from “old” to “sick” very quickly and passed away.

    So we got Benji. And the cat . . . the cat has hidden. Or run away. Seriously, she was always an indoor/outdoor cat — but she hasn’t been inside the house in about a month, and I’m afraid that she is with us no more.

    When I work out while at home, I do so in my basement, where no dogs are allowed (this was the realm of the cat . . . which is why I don’t fully understand why she felt the need to run away, but, well, an old cat and a very hyperactive dog maybe aren’t the best bedfellows). This means that, instead of attacking my legs, as your Dobby does (great name, by the way), he runs outside and watches me through the window. To say that it makes me self-conscious is an understatement.

  6. Aw, so sweet!

    We have one cat and will probably be getting another soon. Natalie really wants a kitten. I told her she’s responsible for it. We’ll see how it goes.

  7. We’ve always had cats growing up and with my own kids. Unfortunately my boyfriend and his kids are allergic so when we get married my cats will have to go back to my ex. =( My boyfriend and I got a dog for both of our families from the shelter in November. She lives with him and visits us for a day or two here and there. It’s so nice to have animals in the home. I hope your family enjoys your new kitty!