Commitment

[Jasmine]

My eldest daughter has an 8 year old cat she has had since the cat was a kitten - unfortunately this cat is very unfriendly and aggressive at times. I have had cats all my life yet I am unable to pick this cat up because she would attack me - she does allow my daughter and her husband to pick her up but would never sit on them and make a fuss of them.

My daughter has two children, 3 and 6, who sadly have realised, after a few scratches, that they cannot make a fuss of this cat. It has taken a long time for them to realise that the cat I have now and my previous cat are completely different and very affectionate and loving.

BUT in spite of this my daughter has never contemplated the idea of getting rid of the cat in any way because she was brought up with the idea that if you have an animal you have a life long committment to it. She takes it for yearly vaccinations and if it is unwell it goes straight to the vet.

Sadly so many people today do not seem to feel like that - it only in the last year since reading this and Cat Chat site that I have realised the problem that exists, with people getting rid of animals at the slightest whim.

[angieh]

Your daughter obviously is totally committed to her unfriendly cat - it is a shame, but she is to be commended IMO. It is sad though that her children are living with a cat they presumably have to leave well alone - it is however a huge life lesson, is it not?

[dandysmom]

That's so sad, but how wonderful that your daughter realizes that taking on the cat does mean a lifelong commitment, so many don't. And it's so nice your grandchildren have the experience of seeing how different your cats are.