Many people have asked how the cats are taking our new family arrangement, especially Meeko.
Ben, for his part, barely seems to know that there is another person on the house. Aside from the fact that we are frequently holding something that makes us less efficient head scratchers, I'm not sure that he notices or cares. We could be holding a large sausage. In fact, a sausage would be more interesting. It might be salty.
Meeko though... I admit I initially had concerns of my own. Meeko and I are close, to say the least, and I had worried that she would feel replaced by the arrival of my son. That was my folly. It's a touch embarrassing, really. Most pet owners, you see, look upon their pets as fuzzy children. They required feeding and caring for, discipline and love, they cost way more money than you would think and they are saved by how cute they are. Short of saving for college tuition, there are some remarkable similarities. Meeko's been my shadow for 9 years now. I confess that I frequently do look on her as a daughter. But how silly for me to think that my cat would look on me as a parent...
At best, a cat thinks of her "owner" as an equal, and more likely as merely part of her entourage.
Meeko cautiously sniffed the baby at first and showed a one-time disapproval to household changes that take place without her consultation by defiling the bath mat. With that out of her system, she settled into her new role. We have a baby now, all of us.
Meeko takes the night shift with me, rising from bed and accompanying me to the nursery for feedings every 3 hours or so. She perches under my foot stool while I nurse the baby or else she settles into my lap and rubs her head on him. Frequently she stays in the room with Luke after I return to bed. She lays under his crib and makes sure all is well.
The Darlings had a dog for a nursemaid. I'm not sure a cat is so out of line.
She's started bringing socks to him. She lays them on the floor near his crib. When I told my mother this, she said, "How sweet! She's putting her babies with your baby."
"Actually, I think she's hunting for him and bringing him her kill."
"Oh. Well, that's sweet too."
Afterthought:
My mother-in-law informs me that her cat used to put dead gophers under Shawn's crib. Yes, socks are preferrable.