There’s a lot of talk in the online infertility community about “fur babies,” or pets. Growing up, my I’d always had pets in my house, but I never understood how much a pet can mean to someone until we adopted a cat in the middle of our infertility struggle.
We met Hemingway a little over two years ago, on the very first day we visited the house we now own. He strolled up to us as we walked towards the house. I remember telling my husband, “Aw, I always wanted an orange tabby.” My husband, a lifelong cat-hater, muttered something about how we needed a dog instead.
After we moved in, Hemingway became a consistent presence in our front yard. He was skittish and shy at first, but he eventually trusted me enough that he allowed me to pet his head briefly. Over time, those quick head rubs evolved into him climbing into my lap as I set on my front step. One day I came home from work and discovered him in my husband’s lap on the front step. It seems he won everyone over.
We found out he belonged to the lady who lived across the street and had three dogs. Hemingway gradually began spending more time in our yard. He started trying to sneak in our house, too. I resisted at first, and was constantly shooing him out. I didn’t want our neighbor to think we were trying to steal her pet. One day she saw him exit our house and she yelled, “I hope he’s not bothering you!” Then I realized she didn’t mind if he came over.
To make a long story short, we eventually adopted Hemingway from our neighbor. She told us he hadn’t been in her house in over a year because he was afraid of her dogs. He wouldn’t even eat the food she set out for him, and she had been considering taking him to the local shelter to see if someone would adopt him.
So this past New Year’s Eve, she gave him to us and he’s quickly made himself at home. He has brought my husband and I so much joy, and we’re convinced that He’s a gift from God during this tough time.
I know that he’d probably love anyone who gave him food and a head rub, but this cat is so affectionate and so loving it’s impossible not to believe that he loves us as much as we love him.
Of course, some people might say that we’re transferring our pent-up love for our unconceived children on to our cat. Perhaps that’s true, but I don’t care. He’s become a member of our family and we’re so glad he’s ours.
Update 4/13/2020: Hemingway passed away from kidney disease in April 2017 at the age of 9. He lived long enough to see the birth of our daughter after our successful IVF cycle.
Oh my gosh! The picture of your husband and him sleeping made my eyes fill with tears. I had two dogs when we first started ttc, now I have one and she’s been such a blessing to me. I’ve loved having her love me and the ability to love her back. It was just such a great feeling. Not to mention she knew whenever I was sad and gave me extra cuddles and attention during that time.
I know, I love that pic of them in the chair, too! Animals are such a blessing, indeed!
I too adopted a fur baby – an adorable terrier from the pound. Everyone who has kids tells me that she will be cast aside when when we have our “real” baby but I have promised her that will not be the case!
I don’t think I could cast aside my pet! He definitely won’t be the star anymore, but he’ll always be a part of the family!
Sweet pictures of your fur baby!!
Aww….how sweet he looks! I forgot about this, but in the intensity of our infertility struggles, God sent us two cats. A girl we both worked with decided she couldn’t keep her kitties, and we adopted them from her, temporarily. We kept them until right before our sweet boy was born, and then we adopted them to a single friend who was lonely. They were a great comfort to us during our time of waiting…and yes, looking back, we poured that parental love into them. I don’t think they minded one bit. 🙂 So thankful you have little Mr. Hemingway!!
What a cute kitty you’ve got! We have a turtle… which is soo not the same thing. ; )
We’d like to get a dog, but we can’t have one in the house where we live now… maybe someday!
Turtles are cute! Just not quite as cuddly!
Definitely not as cuddly. He glares at me when I talk to him. =)
I love those pictures ….
Furkids are the best, I don’t see my bundles of fur as “cat or dog” they are my kids. They are spoiled rotten as they should be.
Our neighbors cat, Manwich goes between his home and ours ….. he comes over when I get home and waits for his treat and for me to let Penny (1 of 2 furkitties) out for a couple hours.
My dog Rosco has been such a great companion to me during my TTC struggles these past few years. He has shown me unconditional love in the times I couldn’t love myself. He has made me smile on days when it has been difficult to find something to smile about. He seemed to sense I was going through something big when I was stimulating for egg retrieval; he didn’t want to leave my side. And when I miscarried he lay next to me on the couch when I couldn’t sleep and kept me company. Pets are such a blessing.
So sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Glad you have a loving fur companion, too 🙂
We have a beautiful dog called “Silas”. He too loves cuddles and is such a great companion. We can;t imagine our home without him. I absolutely love the photo of your hubby and Hemingway! I am stopping by from Winsome Wednesday! You will be on my praying list dear Lisa! Blessings xxxx
Thanks for the prayers, Natasha!
Hello from ICLW! Aw fur babies are the absolute best. We have two dogs, one was my husband’s before we lived together and then a few years ago I wanted to rescue a dog, so we got another one and he is my absolute best buddy (I used to be a cat person but the husband is allergic). I think pets are great because they need you, so even when you don’t feel like doing anything, you have to take care of your pets and it is the best interaction to help see past yourself.