Posted: January 11, 2010, 3 a.m. EST
After the kids have gone to bed, Crystal and Stitch spend cuddle time together. |
It’s 2010 and I have a lot of new beginnings starting. In February, Kevin and I are getting married and all of us will officially be a family. This, of course, includes Stitch.
I’m Stitch’s person so he generally is drawn to sitting with me and jumping up on me for petting time and affection. But over the last year I’ve worried that he might be feeling a little neglected since he is no longer the only other being in my life.
In addition to learning how to care for three children I’ve had to work on balancing the quality time I spend with them, Kevin and with Stitch. It has not been the easiest task, but I’ve put my mind to coming up with some ways to include Stitch more.
From the start Stitch was somewhat antisocial when it came to real quality time with people. It’s not that he’s not a friendly cat; it is more that he wants all interaction to be on his terms. Since moving in with Kevin and the boys he has a little less say in interaction.
I’ve been very proud of him because he has become much more tolerant and accepting of the boys. And even the boys are learning to read Stitch’s communication, although I think they could still learn a little more about reading his body language. But I assume that will only come with time and patience.
I recently took the CatChannel.com quiz “How Do Cats Benefit From Their Bond With Humans?” to see if there was an area of care I could strengthen. According to my score Stitch is a cat with good benefits. But looking over my answers I’ve decided that he could do with some more cat-on-person time.
One idea I came up with was trying to make sure there is daily playtime with Stitch. This can include playing with him and toys. Stitch enjoys rolling balls back and forth with me, so this is one game I’d like to try and play more with him. Of course it’s up to Stitch on whether or not he’s in the mood to play. But I hope if he sees that I want to play with him then just maybe he’ll want to play too.
Another idea I’d like to explore is teaching the boys to play with Stitch and his toys. I hope that by working with them to correctly and gently play with Stitch and his toys that it will help Stitch to feel more of a bond with them instead of just with me.
I do realize that no one can ever replace me, his mommy, in Stitch’s heart. But I would love it if he could learn to accept the boys and Kevin a little more as a part of his family instead of just as people he has to live with.
Do any of you have any other ideas I can explore on including Stitch more with the family for 2010?
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