Felix and the Pets

People often ask how my pets are doing with Felix, and some are surprised when I tell them they get along great.

My parents brought Jayda (dog) to Oregon while we waited for the ICCP paperwork, so she met Felix at the same time she met my friend's family of four, Chocolate Lab puppy Bella, rabbits and a giant fenced yard. Felix was probably the least interesting part of our time in Oregon, and the transition coming home with him was seamless. Felix first reached out to pet Jayda when he was about 4 months old - so cute! Of course, they're never left alone together even though Jayda is excellent around all children and babies.

I also have two cats, ages 9 and 10. They're mother and daughter and very different from each other. Luisa (the mama cat) is like a dog - she comes when she's called and greets people at the door. She's the alpha pet in every situation and isn't scared of anything. At each hotel stop on our road trips, she'd make a lap around the room before sitting in the window and ruling the roost till we hit the road again.

Monica is the opposite. She's a petite orange tabby who hides when someone knocks on the door and took a year to warm up to Jayda. She's extremely loving and gentle (while Luisa is known for her "love bites"). From day one, Monica has liked to rub on Felix's feet while I feed him, and he started petting her a few weeks ago. They have a very sweet relationship.

A few nights ago, Monica decided she'd rather sleep with Felix in his bassinet than on the bed with me. I kept tossing her out, but she'd jump in, curl up near his legs and start kneading his belly. Felix didn't seem to notice or mind, and we use a Snuza, but I was uneasy about the arrangement. The next day, I posted a question about it in my Baby Center online group to see what others were doing about their snuggly cats. Well, apparently I'm the dumbest, worst mom ever! Dozens of comments telling me that my cat has fleas! And ticks with "lime" disease! And her paws are covered in pee and poop and she'll put them in Felix's mouth! And she'll scratch and bite him, and smell the milk on his breath and suffocate him!

Filthy and vicious Monica with Felix in his bassinet.

Before I saw all the idiotic and rude comments, I decided to boot the cats out until Felix is in his own room (just to be extra safe). I took one of his fluffy blankets and set it outside my bedroom door, and the cats have been happy to sleep there at night. Surprisingly they haven't clawed at the door or meowed to come in.

After I saw the comments, I decided to do some research on cats and babies. I haven't been able to find a single documented case of serious injury or death caused by a cat (that wasn't later debunked). I'm sure it's happened, but it would have to be more of a freak accident thing than a happens-all-the-time-you-crappy-moron-mother thing. So there.