When we first brought Lukas home, our cat, Marley, was a little shell-shocked. Not only were we far too busy to give her the (copious) attention she was used to, but suddenly there was this loud smelly blob attached to us all the time, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. For the first several months, she would either leave the room when Lukas was crying, or she would just pretend he didn't exist, and try to sit on us while we held the baby (which included her sitting ON the baby). Really, she was less than impressed with the whole situation.
Lukas, on the other hand, was smitten with Marley from the first moment that he realized she existed. Every morning when I pick him up out of the crib, the first thing he does is look over my shoulder to find the cat. When he's crying and nothing will placate him, Marley can make him laugh by just walking by...I'll tell you, I'd give anything for that kind of power over a crying babe.
Matiss and I have been consistently teaching Lukas to be gentle with his furry friend. As a result, he's actually learned how to pet her nicely. Marley, being the needy, attention-seeking kitty that she is, has actually come around to the little dude and appreciates that SOMEBODY wants to love her. So, she now flops down right next to him when he's playing, and he squeals with delight. Even when he does manage to get a clump of fur, she takes it all in stride. I think these two are going to be long-term buddies.
