SHARING THE LOVE

I've spent the past few days in Pittsburg with family, and yesterday a new member was "adopted." Great niece Maddie had a kitten on her Christmas list--she even saved up nine dollars to contribute to the cause--and I had the privilege of tagging along with her to the humane society, along with her daddy and brother Boomer.

The same tabby kitty she fell in love with a month ago was still there, friendly as can be, so we asked to visit with "Wendy" and soon gave ol' dad the thumbs up. This one was IT. No sooner did we get out the door when Boomer expressed concern that Wendy's cage mate was sure going to be lonely. "When it wakes up, he's going to miss her," he said forlornly. Ah, what a tender heart.

At home, though, was the biggest softie of all--2 year-old William greeted his sister's new pet with such enthusiasm that he just couldn't wait to hold it. Maddie wasn't quite yet ready to turn the kitten over to him, though, which brought on the tears. Finally, with their mother's suggestion and supervision, Maddie let her baby brother hold Wendy, whose new name became Stripes. He was like a proud father cuddling his newborn--instant love.

But Maddie could only take so much sharing. After about five minutes, she asked for it back. Their mother told William it was Maddie's turn, and the kitten returned to her--at which point William went into major pissed-off mode. He screamed! He cried! He begged! "I want the kitty cat!!!" over and over again, big tears rolling down his reddened cheeks.

Fortunately, I was on a tight time frame and had to leave. "You've created a monster," I told their sweet mama. "The only answer is to get another kitten," I smiled and slipped out the door, William still carrying on.

I stopped by their home today before I left town, to see if the kitten survived the night, and all was back to normal. Maddie was still loving her baby, and the boys were using her bed for a trampoline, no longer interested in the adorable furball. And that's how it should be. Welcome to the funny farm, Stripes.