I found this old article (1998) yesterday, quite by accident, and thought I'd share it with my readers today. Asa and Bubba are no longer with me, but I'm sure they are both still sharing love every day at the Rainbow Bridge.
The photo here shows Bubba at the top of an overhead that extended down the right side of our home. He had gotten there by climbing a tree on the left side of the house, then transgressing the top of the roof, down to where he could jump on the trellis. Asa was standing beneath him, arms spread to catch him. Because of their mutual trust, Bubba eventually made the leap of faith, and was soon safely back indoors.
A couple of days ago a long-time reader who had recently read the new feature on Accidental Cat Parenthood, emailed me about the possibility of discussing "the other cat parent." Bubba idolized Asa, and vice-versa. If any one has ever been kitty-whipped, they will understand that relationship. On the other paw, I was sort of "the other parent," in that I served as provider of food, and alternate companionship when Asa wasn't around. I'm curious how many of my readers are "other cat parents?" Are you Numero Uno with your cats, or "also ran," as I was with Bubba?
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When I first got Raleigh I had a housemate, and he was really more his cat than mine. I definitely like an “also ran” although she did come to me when she wanted someone quiet to hang out with. Once he moved out of state she and I really bonded, and I was her human most of the years of her life.
When Brave Newman wanders into our room, he gets a few scritches from me. But it’s Barb’s lap that he’s heading for.
I’ll do when Barb is out of town, but if she’s home, I am “the other parent.”
That’s OK. Happiness is watching a gray-and-white cat knead on Barb’s lap.