We got our first family cat yesterday – a 7 month old from the Humane Society that we named Sadie (pictured). Isn’t she adorable? Isn’t she spunky-looking? Isn’t she just the thing we needed to jump start the sputtering motor that was sibling rivalry in our house? Why, yes. Yes she is.
Hazel, 4, seems to think the kitty belongs solely to her. Also “her” domain: all kitty toys, bowls, beds and actions. Water bowl? Haze'll fill it! Stinky wet food? Haze'll dish it out! Little feather-tipped kitty toy, jingle bell ball, catnip mouse and scratching post? All supposedly under Hazel’s control. Cleaning the litter box? Oh, that’s my job. Thanks.
Anytime Violet, the 20-month-old, attempts to play with Sadie, or her toys, she is met with furious shrieks from Hazel, or bombarded with “suggestions” for how to play. “NOOO, Violet, Sadie likes it better when I throw the ball,” or “VIOLET! You’re shaking the feather wrong!” To which Violet screams her protest, then simply walks away. I like that Violet has no interest in fighting, but I’m getting tired of explaining to Hazel, over and over again, that Violet has as much a right as she does to play with the new kitten. She doesn’t seem to get it. Or maybe she just doesn’t care.
Hazel and Sadie have already forged a close friendship, which is great. But so have Violet and Sadie, and I’m getting tired of having to defend that to Hazel. I’m thinking/hoping when the novelty of Sadie wears off, so will the arguing? I’m thinking maybe there’s a better way to explain the concept of a “family” pet to a 4-year-old? This is our first cat, so I’m trolling for any tips/hints on how to make this transition go a little more smoothly. Advice? Anyone?
