Lessons In Fatherhood

We have two Siamese cat lovers, Lola and Simba. Lola is a scrawny petite cat while Simba is a large, handsome, athletic boy of about 15 lbs already, even though they are both just past being kittens.

Well as things go these days, the two teen lovers had themselves a litter of 3 not that long ago. Immediately 2 of them died and the other looked like it might not survive either.

Lola didn't seem to care all that much, but Simba was visably upset. Male cats generally don't relate well to fatherhood, so this was something to keep an eye on. I had male cats in the past enjoyed their kittens, but this had a different feel to it.

Lola as we anticipated was not a good mother and we needed to nurse her kitten for her a lot because it wasn't well at first. She was like some young mom's, didn't want to be bothered with this major interference in her life and also didn't seem to know what to do.

However Simba for his part, seemed to be a loving doting father, spending time with his kitten, gently playing with him, washing him up and snoozing together. The kitten 's health was a concern and its as if Simba knew it.

However it seemed the kitten who we named Oz was getting better and looked like everything was going to be ok.

Maternal instinct wasn't a foregone conclusion for Lola. She didn't seem to know how to pick the kitten up properly which became a major concern. She would lift Oz by his stomach and not his scruff and Oz would scream horribly and Simba would scream at Lola.

Simba knew there was a lot he couldn't do for Oz, because males aren't equipped for it. But it is as if he seemed to have to remind Lola to feed Oz and just keep after her. Oz was a needy kitten, who just seemed to loudly yell like a typical Siamese but more than usual. It was like having a real screamer for a baby and Lola didn't want to invest that kind of time.

Lola got really jealous of Oz and wound up hiding him on Simba. Lola just wanted him to die it seems because Simba didn't hang with her anymore.

When Oz was missing, Simba seemed to search frantically for a day or so, until we eventually located Oz, hidden in a corner of the closet, ok but hungry.

Simba didn't let Oz out of his sight for a few days after that.

The next week, Lola had been practically dragging Oz around by the tummy, with the usual screaming and what not. This became a major problem because after one of these episodes, Oz was visably hurt.

Lola just left Oz there, but Simba stayed with Oz and washed him, tried to play with him, meow at him and get him to rally. However there was no mistake as to the inevitable was at hand and Oz passed away.

For the rest of the day, Simba just walked around in a daze, meowing at no one in particular. Eventually he kept seeking me out where ever I was. They say that cats work strictly off instinct and instinctively he knew I was the right human to seek comfort from.

Daddy knows what its like when his baby dies.

Simba just moped around for days and his depression was a concern on our part. He didn't eat much, just slept and needed lots of love. He even sat in the spot where Oz died for a day, either to honor him or wait for him to come back.

Eventually he snapped out of it. I don't know if cats carry a torch for each other, but if there is a way, Simba will never forget.

Today being Father's Day, I feel its also Simba's day. With all the young teen father's there are these days who don't have much if any interaction with their kids, it was a young male cat that gave me hope to know that being a good father may actually survive into the next generation.

For Dad's...and those who depend on them! Happy Father's Day!