Another thing happened today (not OT, slight rant)

After I took my licensing exam I went to the optician where I'd gone a few
weeks ago for an eye exam and got new contacts/glasses. I've been going
there for 10 years. Anyway, they got my prescription wrong so I went in for
a re-check. They fixed the problem with corrected contacts and sent my
"new" glasses off to get new lenses put in.

The young woman who helped me remembered I have a cat. She told me she'd
adopted an 8 week old kitten almost 9 months ago and has soooo fallen in
love with him. She said he's so sweet, so loving. The problem is, she and
her fiance just discovered she's pregnant. And they are going to have to
move in with her parents.

Her parents told her she'd have to get rid of the cat. The reason they gave
her was specious - they said cats and babies don't mix. They fed her the
old wives' tale about how cats smother babies, so she'd have to get rid of
the cat.

IMHO, in reality her parents don't want to deal with the sudden intrusion of
their daughter, her fiance, a baby *and* a 9 month old cat. If that's the
case, why don't they just tell her it's all too overwhelming?

She's worried about giving this sweet cat to someone who might not take care
of him. I suggested she contact her vet to ask about re-homing suggestions.
I also cautioned her not to put an ad in the newspaper, citing people who
will buy a cat listed for little money (or FREE) and then sell the cat to a
research facility or for use in training dogs to fight. She was so young,
she'd never heard of that before. I asked if she had access to a computer;
no. So Petfinders wasn't an option.

I hope she finds a good home for her cat. I hate that her parents have
convinced her a cat and a baby won't mix. I don't think they are being
honest with her. She looked young enough to be my daughter and even *I*
know cats don't kill babies. Doesn't everyone with infants these days have
baby monitors? Close the door to the bedroom/nursery. No worries about the
cat.

mlbriggs...

It would be nice if you would take the cat to find it a good home. Purrs
for the kitty. MLB

Magic Mood Jeep©...

You forget the Persia *hates* other cats (except for Her Sweet Weebs, that
is), and busted the screen out of one of Jill's patio doors charging a
'visitor' that was in their yard.... Otherwise, I'm sure Jill would have
snapped up the kitty in a heartbeat!

Jo Firey...

Wish I could talk to her. Yes cats will lie on sleeping babies and watch the
breathe. And can get most curious about the little milk bubbles they
sometimes blow. I would hesitate to give a cat access to a sickly baby or a
newborn.

But Vicki was healthy and almost three weeks old when we brought her home,
and Sam pretty much moved into her crib and fell head over heels in love.
He just could not believe how good she smelled and what nice soft things
were in that crib. Their relationship for the next 16 years was priceless.

jmcquown...

I think you just have to be careful, you know? Don't let a cat or a dog in
with a newborn unattended. As I mentioned, these days most people have
baby-monitors, so you can close the door and keep the cats out. If not,
then just go check on them from time to time. I believe you can teach a cat
to stay away. Persia took a few swipes at Peaches but the spray bottle
taught her nope, that's a bad thing. I totally trust her with Peaches.

I realize a bird isn't the same thing as a baby, but birds are easier to
hurt than babies are. And Persia doesn't go near the cage, not even to peer
up. The only thing she does is exhibit jealously if I'm talking too much to
Peaches and she's not asleep at the time... then it's "Meow???" (what about

Adrian...

I was born at home and raised with a cat, she was there first, I'm sure
that's part of the reason I love cats so much.

MEEEEEE?) LOL

mlbriggs...

You are right, I forgot! MLB