One Cool Cat

When we started the adoption process, I was very excited about having a house (and barn!) full of animals!  I have witnessed time and time again how animals make such a difference in the lives of humans, especially children.  The connections they make can be so amazing.  My animals have made such a difference in my life that I couldn't wait to share them with my own children!

You can imagine my dissapointment when I was told that one of my children STRONGLY DISLIKED animals of any kind.  When we gave her a stuffed animal as a test, she took it and threw it down... over and over and over again.  She shrieked and cried when a chicken, cat, dog or horse was anywhere near.  I was heartbroken!  Two of my big loves that didn't love each other!  Two huge parts of my life that had to stay separate!  My other daughter was indifferent and a little wary, but not at all interested in animals.  All I could do was hang on to the fact that at least they weren't allergic to each other!!!

Well, times are changing!  The girls feed the horses and chickens with me each afternoon and they are now in charge of pouring out the food for the cats each evening.  C feeds Henri (he's getting used to screams of delight, poor guy!) and FL feeds Scout.  It has made a major difference in their relationship! In fact, Scout comes almost every morning and evening to play on the mat with the girls.  And if they aren't playing there, she rolls around on the mat until she gets some attention!

Here are some pictures of their first time playing together:

Studying each other and coexisting!

So far, so good!

Learning to share the shiny banner...

Putting "tickets" under Scout's paw...

Wrapping her up in the banner (she was totally happy with this - what a good cat!)!

Silly Scout!

I'm so glad they are now "playing" together!  The girls are mostly gentle with Scout and do a good job being quiet and gentle with Henri.  Scout puts up with them "cleaning" her with little scraps of fabric, FL doing stretches with her and C putting things under her paws and reading her books very loudly.

Scout really is a patient and loving cat.

She enjoys the attention and is teaching the girls how to pet her!

Here she is instructing FL on the proper form for a cat nap stretch. ^

Now FL is trying to walk on her paws like Scout!

Scout is a calm cat that enjoys having her belly rubbed.  If things get to be too much, she just gets up and walks away.  She has never scratched or bitten - she really and truly is a great first cat for the girls! We're so thankful for her and her great disposition!

I am so happy that my daughters have started a positive relationship with animals, as I know what a comfort they can be when things are rough or you've just had a bad day.

Being in charge of feeding the cats (and other animals) has helped to bring about a major change in their relationship.  Seeing the animals eat, play and us interacting with them on a daily basis has helped to show the girls that they are ok.  Giving C and FL small, manageable responsibilities and teaching them that they are helping these creatures makes them feel a part of their lives.  If you are introducing a child to an animal and they are having a hard time, start small and let them watch you help them, give them a tiny resposibility (make sure the child and animal are always set up for a safe experience!) and just sit and watch the animals and talk about (and point out) the ways that they are like you (playing, eating, sleeping, cold, happy, sad, etc.).  C and FL enjoy watching the horses, dogs and chickens in their pastures/pens.   They will often come to me and tell me what the animals are doing/feeling.  They know almost all of their names now and will willingly approach most of them, Scout being the one they are most comfortable with.  It is such a joy to me to watch their enjoyment of each other grow! 

Thank you, God for creating such wonderful creatures and for blessing us with a home that allows us to enjoy and live life with them daily!  Thank you for giving us animals that are kind, patient and gentle, just like our creator! : )