05/31/2009

Maybe it's because Thomas K. is the most despicable creature I know.

Or maybe it's because my Dad has allergies...and I like my Dad to visit me!

Or maybe it's just because I prefer animals that really know how to give a good, slobbery kiss.

I don't know why. I've just never been too gung-ho about cats. And, frankly, neither has Nick. But, for reasons completely beyond my comprehension, Nathan and Nia are both cat fanatics. They love cats! So, for this reason (and just because I'm nice), every single night we ceremonially place a bowl of cat food outside on the porch. There are about four cats who come religiously to dine at our place once the sun sets. And the kids think it's great!

And I thought all was well and good. Until...

Nathan decided that just watching the cats wasn't good enough. No, he wanted to hold the cats. In particular, the most homely of the cats (the one with a chunk missing from its ear and a scar where one eye should have been) seemed to be calling his name. And, what can I say? Nathan's my weak spot. So I caught the cat. And I brought the cat inside...just for the evening.

Nathan and the cat watched Charlotte's Web. Nathan and the cat played with a little fleece blanket. Nathan and the cat explored the toy room. Nathan and the cat played tag in the living room (Nathan was always 'it').

Then it came time for bed.

Well, I'm not sure what I thought would happen at bedtime. I guess I thought Nathan might say, "Well, alrighty, send the cat back outdoors and we'll rendezvous tomorrow." But, in fact, Nathan did NOT offer to let the cat go. Quite the opposite.

So I found myself turning a laundry basket and a raggedy blanket into a cat bed. Then I placed this makeshift pet bed in Nathan's room. Nathan contentedly climbed into bed, the cat climbed into bed (well, you know, with a little help from me), and Nathan was out like a light. So I snuck in and released the cat. And I've instructed Nicolas to remove any and all evidence that the cat was ever in our midst.

We're hoping, of course, that Nathan will wake up tomorrow with no recollection of his evening with the cat. It won't happen. For my part, I've shown better judgement, but to see Nathan smile I would do it all again.