I just went downstairs to get a book from the bookcase in the den. The boys slept on the couches down there last night. They like doing that every now and then and they don't have school this week so I let them (makes me think they should be sharing a room! lol). Anyway, I glanced over at Robin, and his cat, Gizmo, the stubborn, opinionated, thinks he's all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips-his-highness, was laying across Robin's legs. I quite often find Giz sleeping with Robin in his room. It's weird because Robin loves this cat (and the other one, too) SO much and tends to maul him more than I think he should. The weird thing is the cat puts up with it--but only from Robin! Heaven forbid myself, Randy or dh try to hold the cat. He'll tolerate it for about 10 seconds and then take off. I've never found him sleeping on Randy's bed. He will occasionally sleep on our bed, but he prefers the chair by my computer or Robin's bed. Do you think he knows he's "Robin's cat"? Could he really have a special bond with him? I know it happens. I had a cat that a friend gave me for a graduation present that formed a tight bond with my dad. I wonder if Giz on some level understands how much Robin needs this relationship with him. He's been incredibly therapudic for Robin. One of the main reasons we got cats was the therapudic effect they seem to have on Robin (realized this at my moms several years ago). It's just a strange relationship, ya know? Giz puts up with so much over-loving (Robin never abuses him, but boy can he love the heck out of that cat!), yet he definatly shows a preference for Robin. I guess I'm just thinking outloud (or online, as it is). Thanx for reading my ramblings.

Oh, and Randy isn't being left out. He has Lucky, and they have a really good bond, too.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 09:09 am:

I believe animals are very intuitive in that way. And I also believe they bond to one particular human more than any other.

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 09:47 am:

Absolutely! We have 3 dogs and 4 cats. Each animal seems to prefer one of us. Luckily we each have a cat The older dogs are mine and hubby's. The only one who seems to love everyone equally is our lab puppy "Cosmo".

By Marg on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 09:47 am:

Yes, I agree.

I read somewhere that when you bring a pet home, they actually know who drove them home and have a bond with that person.

I drove my mom to pick up all 4 of her cocker spaniels (different times in mom's life) and I had a unique bond with them. They loved mom but they would always come right to me when I went to her house and wouldn't leave my side until I left. She felt funny and asked me about this one time. She even found an article on it.

But I believe animals are like that the 'know' just like kids 'know' their moms, lol!

"thinks he's all-that-and-a-bag-of-chips-his-highness" This is way to cute Cat and we have a cat that currently acts like that!

By Conni on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 09:51 am:

I think thats really cool about Giz and Robin.

Speaking of *therapeutic* animals: A few yrs ago Brandon's special ed class went to a 'Horses Help' place. It was all about animals being therapeutic for these special needs kids. They took them out there for several weeks- 6 wks I think. And the kids were paired up with a horse- that was *their* horse each time they went back to the farm. They learned to ride, groom them, and took their pic's with them, etc... Brandon absolutely LOVED school for those 6 weeks. Made me want to get him a horse. But, uhhh, a fish is so much cheaper to feed and maintain. hehe

As for our cat (the KING of the house), I think he loves us all equally. lol He hops on beds until he finds one that he doesnt get kicked off of. He thinks he can sleep anywhere and do whatever he wants. As soon as he hears someone's feet hit the floor in the morning- he *runs* like a puppy to you, follows you to the kitchen and meows very loudly nonstop until you pour cat food in his bowl. He eats a few bites, then follows you too the bathroom and jumps on the counter and meows very loudly at you until you turn on the faucet, as he prefers to drink running water??? He is a rotten pitb. And we all put up with it and do whatever he tells us too? rofl Alot of the time he wont come back in thru his kitty door- he'll just sit on the porch and MEOW and sit and look in the window until one of us opens the door to let him in. He is the strangest cat I have ever had- we all feel like he talks to us. creepy, really...

By Tink on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 01:19 pm:

I agree with everyone else. I had a cat growing up that was just mine. No one else liked him and he made sure that none of them changed their feelings toward him. He was downright evil to my brother and sister. I was going through some pretty bad emotional issues and making some bad choices and this cat was the only living thing that I liked to be around for over a year. I really don't think I'd still be alive if I hadn't had one thing that I felt loved me unconditionally.

Our cat now is sooo tolerant of every kid that comes over and is such a lover. He definitely prefers the company of adults but is pretty content to let DH and I share him. In many ways, he sounds so much like your cat, Conni! Our dog just sucks up any attention she can get. She's not picky!

By Cat on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 03:07 pm:

Cori, your cat growing up sounds like Giz! Randy told me this morning after I posted this that he tried to pet Giz and Giz tried to bite him! This is the cat I won't allow around the day care kiddos because he's been known to swat at people for no reason (no front claws, but still) and he will try to bite you if he doesn't want to be touched. I really think he just knows Robin needs him. It's sweet.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 04:40 pm:

My SIL has a cat named Gizmo, but she only tolerates us, when we come over! LOL!

Jasmine is MINE! Honey was MINE! I have bee the number one dog person for both those dogs! With Honey, I was the one who went to the neighbor's house to take her for walks and bathed her when she rolled in poop. So, when she came to live with us, she already knew she was mine.

Gary drove home from the shelter, but Jasmine quickly became mine, since I do more physical care for her. I take her outside, pick up her poop, take her for walks, etc. She will bond with other people when I'm not home, but when I come home, she is all mine!

By Kellyj on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 05:11 pm:

I think that they definitely form bonds and know a lot more than we think that they do. My dog Sam used to lay at the top of the stairs waiting for me to come home from college on the weekend if my parents told him that I was coming home. Our youngest cat Gwen and DD have definitely bonded. That cat will put up with anything and loves to get in the middle of whatever DD is doing.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 05:21 pm:

Jasmine knows when it is time to pick up kids. She will come and bug me to get going, around 2:35pm.

By Marcia on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 12:48 am:

Because of my hubby's snoring, I have slept in different rooms 3 or 4 times in the past week. Our dog sleeps on our bed, and she goes to bed before us. Each of those nights she ended up finding me and sleeping in the bed I was in. She had to walk around the house and through partially closed doors to find me, but she did it. Mommy's little sucky!!

By Cat on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 08:20 am:

I just went downstairs a little bit ago to get the laundry (I'm going to folding for a while! lol) and Giz was in Robin's room laying next to the bed. It's almost like he's watching out for him. I know Robin loves it.

By Insaneusmcwife on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 09:34 am:

Hey Conni-
They now make water dishes that keep the water flowing. I just picked up one for our cat and he loves it. Just a thought.

And I do think they "know". A few months ago when we got Stitch he came to us with ring worm and I had to give him a bath a couple times a week and put cream on him daily, he put up with it and didn't fight me. I'm assuming he knew that I was helping him.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 11:50 am:

Awwww, insaneusmc, that is so nice that he put up with that. Can you tell Jasmine that when we clip her nails, that we aren't trying to kill her?

By Paulas on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 12:02 pm:

I haven't read all the posts so I aploogize if I repeat something.

Our last cat, Taz, was mauled by our children when they were younger. I mean, DD would dress her up, DS pull his tail,etc. He took it for many years from DD and then all decided she was old enough to know better and started to give her messages that said, "Enough is enough!" She still tolerated from DS as he was younger.

Strange but true