The Love of A Cat

This cat.

To say it lightly: he isn't a "people cat".
He isn't sociable.
He isn't a lap cat.
He doesn't like being petted or snuggled.
He turns his nose up at canned food and is very set in his ways.
Stubborn. Grouchy.
Sometimes hilarious to watch, as he chases a milk ring or paper ball around the house.

Anyway, on with today's story.

A few months back, I joked that it seemed like we found something he might not hate..  "his" baby.

Ever since Thatcher was born, Atticus has remained "close but not close enough to touch". What was once a genuine curiosity has blossomed into a 'big brother' role. As Thatcher gets older, Atticus lurks just around the corner, watching.

Always watching. I have countless photos of him lurking a few steps away. Observing.

Before Thatcher decided that baths are actually ok, he would SCREAM the entire time he was in the bathtub being washed. Atticus would run into the bathroom, panicked, and bite me. Because clearly, I was causing the baby to cry.

Atticus sleeps at the foot of the bed, on my side, closest to the half-size crib that Thatcher currently sleeps in.

During daytime naptime, he has to be in our room with him. If I dare to shut the door before he gets in there, he will sit at the door and paw it until I get mad and let him in.

Currently:

We are trying to transition Thatcher to sleeping in his big crib because the small one he has been sleeping in won't hold him much longer and he can't seem to get comfortable at night. So during the day, I will put Thatcher in the crib and give him some toys to play with so that he can get acquainted/comfortable with this new surrounding.

Poor Atticus doesn't understand what's going on and thinks I'm putting the baby in an impenetrable box or vortex.

He sits by the crib the entire time that Thatcher is in there. I have tried to shoo him away a few times with my foot and he come straight back. If Thatcher fusses or cries, Atticus will turn around and get my attention, even running out of the room if I'm not in there and finding me (like I don't already know the baby's upset..he isn't exactly a quiet crier).

He stands up on his hind legs and watches Thatcher play with toys, even sometimes sticking his paw between the bars to let him know that he is still there.

While he has never been the type of cat to sit and snuggle, watching him adjust and  change to the baby over the last 7 & 1/2 months has been THE MOST adorable, precious thing I've seen.

I've never been one to call pets a 'big brother/sister', but in this context:

Thatcher, it looks like your 'big brother' has stepped up to the plate.

Bonus photos:

One of these toys is not like the other..