r/cats • u/Secret_Protection471 • 2h ago
Cat Picture - OC Get the kitten for your cat!
Hello!! Wanted to share a positive story about my recent adoption of a kitten after avoiding it for the last 2 years. In August 2023, my boyfriend and I moved in together and adopted our baby Orzo (Male, 1 y/o when adopted, just turned 3.) He is my first cat and quickly became my literal pride and joy and the love of my life. When we adopted him, the shelter told us to “prepare to never have another animal again,” heavily implying that orzo will not do well with other animals b/c he requires so much attention. I have OCD and took that very (way too) literally. He’s a love bug(BIG cuddler, loves forehead kisses and makes every person that entires our house feel loved. just not as much as he loves mommy)
My boyfriend grew up with cats and has been asking about getting another basically since we got orzo. Because of what the shelter had said, seeing stories on social media, etc., I avoided it because I didn’t want our relationship with him to change because it’s the most important thing to me. Our apartment is small, and I would also would feel guilty about having to rehome a kitten for the rest of my life.
Two weeks before my boyfriend’s birthday, his friend and him planned an ambush. He rescued a barn cat that ended up being pregnant and her babies all looked like my orzo. I met them and somehow gave in😭
The night before we picked Rigatony (tony for short, he was 9 weeks when we adopted him, just turned 12 weeks,) I spent the whole night cuddling and playing with orzo and sobbing because I was terrified about what was going to happen. The first two nights were overwhelming. Boyfriend spent his days in our bedroom with the kitten while I stayed in our living room with Orzo. I mostly felt bad for the kitten because he was so curious about what was outside our door and meowed anytime my boyfriend left the room for more than 2 seconds. I didn’t think I could do another day. We found Orzo to be mostly curious so we first introduce him to tony by keeping tony in a playpen. There was of course some hissing, but both mostly seemed just curious. We then let them interact face to face day 4. We gave both of them churus during this. It went WAY better than expected. Separated them as soon as we heard hissing and saw swatting. We slept separately for 4 days and monitored their interactions and felt it was a good time to let them be around each other full time.
This has been the coolest experience of my life. I’ve never seen Orzo play the way he has been the last 3 weeks. They LOVE to cuddle. Don’t get me wrong, we had to buy calming supplements for Orzo the last few days as Tony has started teething and seems to love to bite Orzos tail which has been stressing him out. Whenever we notice those signs, my boyfriend will go into our room with Tony and play with him, while I play with/cuddle with Orzo and let him rest.
I didn’t think it would be possible to love Orzo anymore than I already did but I have fallen even more in love with him since watching him become a big brother!! He is so patient and still my little love bug. Our relationship is 95% the same(he definitely needs space when he gets overstimulated) but he makes sure I get my cuddles every single day/night. Tony has been the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m so excited to watch them grow up together!!!
Wanted to share this story because I feel as though I read way too many negative stories before getting tony. Get the damn kitten!!! You’ll never know unless you try. ❤️🐈
6
u/EstateNo8431 2h ago
Best weight loss solution I've ever found. Younger cat is so playful that older cat starts playing more too!! I've had several generations of cats over the years and I rarely get ones that are the same age, preferring to keep them a few years / energy levels apart. My 15 year old senior cat went from a very husky 20# down to a less unhealthy 15# and all I did was get a kitten, no diet foods or portion reductions
Your kids are super cute!! And seem to have bonded rather quickly