The downside: heart palpitations for me.
I took Nuala over to a friend’s house today to feed the cats while they’re away, and Nuala toodled around like she does while I tended to business. The cats are kind of skittish, and usually only the big gray one comes around when I’m over there. He’s friendly as can be, though, so I didn’t worry about a cat attacking my child while I wasn’t looking or anything. And while I was pouring new chow into their bowls, I heard a blood-curdling scream. A blood-curdling scream coming FROM MY CHILD.
My head whipped around to see her running at me with her arms up, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the tail end (literally) of the gray cat very quickly leaving the room. It seems that (a) Nuala doesn’t recognize Large Dark Gray Animal as “cat,” which she usually loves and points to excitedly while saying, “MMMM!!!” and (b) the big gray cat snuck up on her unawares and bumped her like cats do when they meet new people, thus completely terrifying her. So not cool, Big Gray Cat.
I calmed her down and held her close while petting the gray cat, and eventually she relented and poked him like she does Mom and Dad’s Cat, and Segal from across the street, but man. I’m pretty sure that’s the worst sound I’ve ever heard come from this baby, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to hear it again.
Nice going Big Gray Cat!!!
I know! What was he thinking, anyway?!