There is nothing more special than when an animal accepts you as their own...

[Glamrock]

Up until a a few days ago, we had 4 cats and a dog. Now the dog has always been my dude. Not that he doesn’t love his mama, he’s just a bit confused as to who’s #2 in the pack. He seems to think it’s him, when in all actuality it’s me. He’s #3.

Problem is, he always sits at the end of the chaise end of the couch...I.E. my wife’s side of the couch. Ya know, with the rest of “his pack”. And because I’ve been living on the road as a traveling musician, telecom contractor, and field supervisor...our kitty’s belong to my wife. That’s not to say my cat’s don’t have love for me. Muddy & Steviewonder venture over to get love from dad on a regular basis. Steviewonder wakes me up on the reg between 2:30 and 3am with kitty opera cause he wants dad’s ‘tention. But any given night, Mrs. Glam got a dog and at minimum, 2 cats surrounding her while dad sits alone 4 feet away.

We just got a 4 month old kitten. I took her in my arms and we just clicked. She’s my kitty and i’m her dude. Not that she doesn’t like the Mrs. But, when the wife grabs her to snuggle, as soon as she lets go, little Judy Blue Eyes comes back to lay on or against me. I,VW woken every morning with her at eye level purring, asleep, with her paws on my face.

It’s difficult to explain how your heart can be filled with such love for a creature that is not your own species. It’s even more difficult to explain how it feels to have the unconditional love of that same animal. There’s nothing like it. I thought I was blessed to be second fiddle with my fur family. Being first chair is extraordinary.

In closing, perhaps my ego needs constant attention. I am a musician after all. But I had a cat for four years (heart condition) that took me as his own. I guess I forgot how deep the love can be when that connection is there.

My wife always wanted a Siamese and I feel bad that Sweet Judy has claimed me as her pet....but I wouldn’t give it up for nothing.

Thanks for listening to ole glam rambling...he’s tipped a few back you understand.

[niyad]

1. Awwwwwwww, you gave that sweet little girl her name. It was clear from the first that she chose you.

So happy for all of you with the newest addition to your family. How is she getting on with her new sibs?

Ramblings of this nature are well-understood.

[Glamrock]

2. Well

The other kitty’s have moved from hostility to curiosity. However, Sweet Judy is the aggressor at this point. If they get close she hisses and gets defensive and they run off. I’m sure they’ll be cool in a week or so. She’s accepting the mighty Zeppelin at this point (the dog). They can be inches from each other and no issues, but the other cats? She’s not quite trusting their motives just yet....

[TeamPooka]

3. My wife is jealous of my dog's love for me. She, the dog, loves my wife too

but we spend all day together since I work from home and the wife goes to the hospital each day so that kind of time is a hard bond to get past.

[Glamrock]

6. I've got that going on with this little girl.

My other kids took to mama cause I was living out of a suitcase. Things have changed and now I’m home all day every day. Judy has spent 24/7 with me since last Wednesday. She is so mine....

[TeamPooka]

14. winner winner

[pnwest]

4. It's wonderful and indescribable to have that

soul connection with an animal. Where you can read each other’s minds, and even know their different barks (or purrs). I had an apricot poodle named Floyd-Because-He’s-Pink, that I had that connection with. He was the funniest, smartest, most communicative dog, we could read each other’s facial expressions. I miss that boy. I was almost that close with his sister, a black female poodle named Black Betty Bambalam. I loved her dearly and we understood each other, too - but Floyd...he was one special dawg.

[Glamrock]

5. What fantastic names!

I feel you. Years ago I had a Russian Blue that took me as his. Greatest cat ever! Loved weed. Loved to drink. Little dude literally drank Southern Comfort out of my glass if I wasn’t paying attention! Had a heart condition so I lost him at 4 years old.

I forgot how special that connection was and how blessed I was to be part of it. This new kitten has brought that once in a lifetime connection back. I’m so blessed. And that’s saying a lot coming from an atheist....

[pnwest]

13. If there's anything that might give an atheist

just a moment’s pause about their certainty, it’s looking into the eyes of an animal and seeing the sentient being there, seeing the soul.

[KT2000]

7. Cats do the choosing

Congrats - purrs and lovies in the middle of the night are spiritual.

[pnwmom]

8. I can imagine. We've had three dogs over the years

and two of them have loved me but REALLY love my husband.

The third, however, is clearly torn. When he's been with one of us for a while, he has to go look for the other one. At night he goes back and forth between us, too.

And even being equally loved by a dog is so endearing. So I can imagine how it would feel to be #1.

[FuzzyRabbit]

9. GR, I envy you and your sweet Judy Blue Eyes.

You and she have each found a soulmate. I hope you treasure every day with her.

I lost my kitty soulmate 13 years ago. She was the perfect cat for me. I still miss her every day.

[Glamrock]

10. I feel you.

I had a Russian blue that was my soulmate. Never thought i’d get another....

[FuzzyRabbit]

11. Milo, the cat who currently owns me

was a rescued feral cat, and does not like to be held.

He does like me a lot, and spends a lot of time with me, but he does not like to cuddle. I do. Other than that he is great company.

[Aussie105]

12. Stray cat wandered in to steal our cat's food.

Took a risk and picked him up, as his eyes didn't look right.
Instead of freaking out and digging in the claws, he relaxed and kind of oozed into my shoulder.
Been my friend ever since.
Vet bills, who cares? Turned in lower eye lids, bit of surgery, all good now.

He's the boss. Have 2 dogs that are scared of him - he has knives in his paws, you see - not afraid to use them either.

Definitely the boss. Wakes me up at 5 am for a feed, 7 am the wife is woken up to let him out.
Gentle cat paw on the face at 5 am, amazing how quickly that wakes me up.

Kind of weird you can connect with an animal like that, but it is what it is.

He must have belonged to someone who works, because he doesn't mind being locked up in his own room for extended periods of time. Just curls up and goes to sleep, no complaints when he is released after a few hours.
(Only gets locked up when we have visitors, dogs go crazy and the cat freaks out, doesn't like strangers. Or excited dogs.)

[Ohiogal]

15. I'm enjoying all your thoughts about animals

I don’t have much to add except that I do think animals are capeable of love. And it turns my soul inside out when I see or hear of abused animals. I even tear up at those ASPCA commercials on TV. Someone who can’t love an animal ... well, there’s just got to be something wrong with them, that’s all! Give your new Judy a kiss for me.

[Glamrock]

16. Done!

She's sleeping right next to my laptop at my desk!

[Ohiogal]

17. awww

She sounds like a real sweetie. 🥰

Here’s the view right now in my world: Dog bed? Psssh! I sleep next to my Mommie