Kids Vs Cats

It's not that I don't like kids- in fact, I like them a lot when they belong to other people. 



But I know how happy people's kids make them- and that makes me happy.   But if I have to hear all about little Joey's first tooth and how so and so doesn't like peas, then you have to listen to my b.s. about my furry kids.  It's only fair....  :)

Little Gino

Baby Gino and Penelope (she kind of reminds me of a werewolf in this pic, right?!)

I have always had pets- even when growing up.  Of course, my one dog ran away to a "farm" (you know there's TONS of farms in boston- but that's a story for another day (you're safe for now Mom!).  Once we came home unexpectedly with our first cat after a dinner with my parents friends though, I was hooked.  I'm no animal snob- I love them all- but the freedom a cat offers is so different than a dog.  You can go away, leave some food and water out and no harm, no foul.  My first pet of my own was Wonka who I got from a friend of a friend when I was 20 and in college.  I always joked that if Wonka could talk- a lot of people would have to pay him off (you know who you are!).  After 19 yrs together, he was diagnosed with chronic renal failure.  For the next 2 months, I did what I could to keep him comfortable and happy.  A friend with a heart of gold even gave me what she had left of costly medication that hadn't saved her beloved feline.  I should have seen this as a sign but instead, I was just extremely grateful for her generosity.  When he died, my house wasn't the same- even Penelope, my 13 yrs old part Maine Coon cat was distraught.  For several weeks she zombified around the house, crying, looking behind the stove- breaking my heart.  I relayed this info to a friend (who I refer to as Gino's god mom- since she brought him into my life)- and next thing you know, Gino Pepperoni Leone was part of the clan.  As young as he is (he just turned one), he has become a huge part of the household... or maybe the household has become a part of him.  I tend to think the latter is the truest.  With pets, there are no pretensions, no familial obligation, no game playing- if they don't want to come lie down by your side, they just won't.  Our pets see us at our worst, our laziest, in tragedy or triumph- yet they are our constant, the ones who are there for it all.  They don't judge, they don't criticize and love you unconditionally like only an animal can.  As I sit here writing this, Gino is taking a nap while pressed up behind me on the chair I'm sitting in.  You know, because this is apparently the only chair in this place- but I consider it an honor.  Those of you with your own furry mute friends get it- life just wouldn't be the same without them.