Bugsy taught my husband a life lesson. My husband learned that he now had to share me, share a bed with me and the cat, and share family time. Before Bugsy arrived most nights my husband, who has since returning from Iraq been a restless sleeper, would decide to leave the bed and sleep in his recliner. The night Bugsy chose us my husband learned that he would have to give of himself to a creature that really was a "scaredy" cat.
With the introduction of a furry family member my husband had to give up some of his own family time, time that he normally would spend in front of a computer, in order to make friends with a cat. J has never had a cat for a pet and never wanted one either. Maybe Bugsy knew this because for the three days J had left before he departed for his short deployment, he would snuggle up with J as often as possible. My husband couldn't move without the cat trying to make a pillow of this new human.
After my husband returned from his deployment the relationship with the cat strengthened. J had a hard time believing me, that the cat missed him. When J would call I'd put the phone on speaker for the cat.
With me being in the middle of another infertility treatment cycle and hopped up on female hormones Bugsy would wander around the house searching room-to-room for his testosterone buddy. J was far away not knowing how much his cat needed him.
J and I now have a hard time picturing our lives before Bugsy adopted us. Bugsy knew we needed him and we still do.
This post was inspired by Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Man a memoir by Brian McGrogry. When Brian his bachelor life to move to suburbia and join his girlfriend with her two young daughters, he had no idea he needed to win over their rooster too. Join From Left to Write on November 21 as we discuss Buddy: How a Rooster Made Me a Man. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
My cats are the same way. Especially the new one.
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteAfter my first miscarriage, my hubby brought home a cute, adorable little orange kitten because one of the guys he worked with said something to care for helps a woman dealing with infertility/loss. I wasn't a cat person (and neither was my hubby), but we weren't allowed dogs so he would have to do.
Prior to that we were just two, grieving people who had the whole condo and each others times to ourselves. Now, we had a third who needed/wanted constant attention. We found ourselves being wrapped around his little paw, doing as he wished, most of the time. We didn't know the quirks cats hold, or the attitude...but it's been fun learning! Now, two and a half years later, we can't imagine our life without him!
It took my husband some time to get used to our cat, George, too. Neither of us were cat people. Then out of the blue I decided I was actually a cat lady, and making up for lost time. But now he swoops George up and parades with him around the house. It makes me so ridiculously happy.
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