When you’re a pet parent and your cats or dogs are your furry little babies. That’s true until the day you bring home a human baby, and your priorities shift. Of course you’ll still love your pets, but that little baby will steal time and attention away from your four-legged friends, and they may not be very happy about it. Maybe your dog’s cherished daily walk gets moved to a new time to make room for baby’s nap schedule. But here is a different story to share.
This skinny and shy Siamese cat appeared to have been fending for herself on the streets of Kingston, Ontario, for several months, and it affected her health and attitude toward humans. She had bad infection of eyes and a limp, which was caused by a broken pelvis. “It could’ve been a car, or she could’ve been kicked, we just don’t know,” Carla says. “She’s been suffering by herself, alone in the streets for two weeks without any pain medication.”
The cat was fearful of the human contact, and the farm was not a proper place for the care for domesticated animals. Carla had double responsibility of handling with the farm animals and caring a new baby girl. However, she didn’t want to leave this poor soul alone in the hour of need, so she took it into her home. She paid attention to the necessary treatment of this kitten.
“For some reason, when we received a call for Sapphire, we took her in, no questions asked,” says Carla. “I found myself saying yes before I even knew what I was saying!”
She named the cat Sapphire. It spent a full day hiding under the bed. She was scared of Carla and her family at first, particularly of their dog, which was not a friendly at all. But as she began to warm up to the family, her interactions with the new comer in the family surprised everyone. It is not true to say that pets and babies won’t ever coexist.
When Sapphire first met the new born baby Mary, she didn’t mingled but she was changed. Carla and Mary were usually around and because Sapphire desperately wanted some love and attention from Carla and her husband. The cat got use to stay around the baby and became quite interested in her. Even in the early days, Carla always had noticed that the cat was keeping an eye on the child. She proved to be a caring creature.
“We noticed very quickly that Sapphire seemed to start protecting the baby. Whenever the dog came by, she would hop up and run over beside Mary. It happened again and again,” Carla says. “Sapphire would run and stand beside the baby, with an erect posture.”
Nothing is more natural and pure in the world than a child and an animal with a bond this strong. Soon, the two became much closer friends. “It’s as if these guys have known each other forever,” says Carla. Sapphire now spends most of her time playing with Mary or curling up with her for naps. That’s a very cute sight to watch both innocents lying together.
“She just couldn’t seem to get close enough to her,” Carla says. “Then she started to wrap her arms around the baby. She’d snuggle her face right into Mary’s neck. We’ve never seen a cat do this before. Their bond grew faster and faster. It was really unbelievable!” And Mary treats Sapphire like a sibling. Sapphire has been her “kitty” since she was just a month old.
“Mary has a heart for animals just like we do. Not only does she live on a farm animal sanctuary, but Mary was born at home in the care of midwives,” Carla explains. “It’s completely normal for her to have four-legged friends surrounding her at all times. But something very special blossomed between Sapphire and Mary.”
When Sapphire don’t find Mary around, she starts meowing and go looking for the little friend. And Mary who is just 4 months old, recognizes the name Kitty and responds when asked where the kitty is. She loves to pet Sapphire, and Sapphire loves to snuggle up next to her. They both are attached with each other emotionally.
“This is a true love story,” says Carla. “It transcends time, transcends species and may even defy logic. Some may say this kitty needed us — that she was drawn to us because we were able to help her … But we say we needed her. We didn’t know we needed her, but we really did.”