Our Forgotten Pets

A few days ago, the cat (Dr. Pepper) scratched Charlotte.
It was really my fault, I hadn’t noticed her back him into a corner and when he couldn’t get away from her grabby little hands, he defended himself. Still, in that moment, I wanted to strangle that little fucker. As I went rushing over she finally let go of his fur and he bolted across the room. Somehow, I managed to pick her up, remove a slipper and throw it across the room at him, all before he scooted under the bed.
It only made brief contact with his bum and he’s totally fine, but as soon as she settled down from a hysterical crying fit (cat scratches really DO sting), I started to feel like a total jerk for freaking out at Dr. Pepper.
Some of you are probably thinking, 'why?? He scratched your kid, and you're defending a cat?' But he's not 'a cat', he's OUR cat. And his life has been turned upside down in the last 2 years by the arrival of not one, but two, tiny humans with zero impulse control. Who also happen to find him, and our dog Daisy, absolutely fascinating.
Gone are the days of carefree napping and human cuddles. Welcome to the days of interrupted sleep (I feel your pain), rare cuddles, lots of shooing away, and the occasional slipper assault. It's heartbreaking.
Now don't get me wrong, our pets still have it pretty good. They have a warm home, a whole backyard to explore and full bellies from the miraculous food falling from the sky a couple times a day (ok...the high chair, but from their perspective it's like a gift from heaven), plus a reserve of kibbles when the food gods don't deliver. Daisy especially is a lot of work to manage, since she has been incontinent a few years in her old age. So we are constantly changing peepee pads, and have re-done the floors in her bedroom (yes, she has her own room where she can rest in peace away from the kids) from wood to ceramic since she sometimes doesn't have the best aim. I mop that room a minimum of 3 times a day.
And yet, I feel guilty. Not for how they are treated, but for how I think about them now. I still love them lots...but instead of finding joy in them the way I did before, I see taking care of them as 'work'. It makes me sad honestly, especially for Daisy. I know she probably doesn't have too much time left, and I know I will be miserable when she is gone. But right now, in the fog of toddlerhood, babyhood, and a global pandemic, I am mentally wiped out at the end of the day. I have nothing left to give these poor pets except love, but with minimal effort. I hope it's enough...
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