Yes, that is my first baby.  I am not talking about the obvious gravid uterus with the baby growing inside, but the black cat trying to hatch my gravid uterus.  My little black cat (Nala)  was my first baby.

Pets, at least the dog and cat varieties (maybe ferrets, so I have heard) are great preludes to life with kids.  You feel unconditional love for your pets.  You will do anything for them.  You will take them for walks in the early morning.  You will worry about them.  You will spend thousands of dollars on bladder stone removal surgery for them (yes, I did this for my cat).  You love them unconditionally….until, that uterus hatches.

When my newborn was born, kitty was forgotten.  I am ashamed to admit this.  I could not care less about Nala.  Whatever.  I had a sweet, newborn baby to take care of.  Kitty had to fend for herself.  She was neglected emotionally.  I went on to have another baby, and my cat was still an afterthought.

My babies grew, and they got to know Nala as a member of the family.  The first time my oldest daughter laughed was when she saw Nala chasing her tail.  It was a fabulous, life is great, full guffaw laugh out of a tiny four month old little body.  Nala is a very important part of my daughters lives.  Like a sibling, almost.

Honestly, I have been very annoyed with my little Nala since my human kids were born.  I was tired of the extra work involved to care for a pet, along with children.  I was tired of the extra hair, the changing the litter, the cleaning the vomited hairballs off the floor, the “presents” left by Nala throughout the house.  I have even blogged mean things about her.  Sorry kitty.

So what is the point of this rambling post?  The point is…..I took Nala to the vet today.  She is now considered a “geriatric” cat, and has been exhibiting signs of a slow decline.  She has lost a lot of weight, which is a bad clinical sign in a cat so old.  She is not long for this world, according to the vet.  I felt an overwhelming sadness when the vet gave me this news.  This is my first baby.  This is a treasured member of my family, even if it took a huge dose of mortality, and reality to realize it.

Nala is alive and well for now.  I am terrified of the day she will not be so well, and how will I tell my daughters?

RR