"Someone To Watch Over Me"

Sorry I've been so late in writing this article. We had quite a scare. My 6-year-old son was hospitalized recently with what his pediatrician thought was meningitis. After extensive testing, including a dreaded spinal tap, it turns out he had Strep. Needless to say, we can all breathe a little easier now!

My son was out of school for a week, due in part to the Strep virus itsslf, but also to an awful headache he experienced as a result of the tap. The doctor told us he would have to lay flat for just about the entire week. Oh sure, I thought to myself! That's easy for him to say - he's not the one who has to see that this order is carried out! However, after getting up and staying up a bit too long, Devon was more than happy to remain flat on his back than risk facing that head pain again!

It was during this time that I noticed four of our five cats staying with him on the bed (Frenny, our fifth and most timid, still wouldn't budge!). They were there when I got up in the morning and for the most part, they were there when we went to bed in the evening. By the time the third day rolled around, Devon was so used to their companionship that he absentmindly stroked Fuzzball's fur while he watched Rugrats In Paris. He carefully maneuvered his body as he slept to accommodate each of them. One day I walked into his room while he was napping and his feet were swept to the left so Beastie Boy could doze happily. His arm curved around Kaiser so that he was the cat's own version of a kittycup. It was then that I realized that I missed having my pets with us on our own bed. I had grown used to having them there, much like my own "security blanket."

Towards the end of the week as Devon began to stay up longer and longer each time, one by one they started to leave him. He, of course, so thrilled at actually being vertical for a while, didn't even notice. Finally, when he was recovered completely, all five were once again keeping John and I company overnight. As I got into bed that night I thought about how unconditional our pets' love is for us. And I know it's a cliche, but they give so much and never ask for anything in return.

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