Hobbes has never slept in bed with us. When he was a kitten he would sleep in the bed with one or the other of us but never both of us, but since he was about 6 months old he wouldn't get in the bed sleep at all. Since we adopted Selena and she likes sleeping in the bed, Hobbes has decided there is some merit to the bed and will sleep on it when we're not sleeping (she also taught him to eat people food).

But Hobbes has never been a caregiver either. He'll watch with concern if I'm crying or hurt but he won't cuddle. He won't cuddle when I'm crampy, he won't cuddle when I have the flu or a migraine headache...he's never been a cuddler. Until last night. I came home after having a root canal and sorta crawled back into the bed and moaned before burying myself into an ice pack and a pillow. Next thing I knew Hobbes was right there next to me. A worried expression on his face a gentle paw against my head. I reached out to pet him and he curled up next to me and spent the next several hours taking care of me. What a wonderful experience. Just had to share.

Copyright © Julie Cook
December 11, 1999