Congratulations from me as well!
My sister went through her first pregnancy at 41 a little over a year ago. lol. They had 3 cats and 3 dogs at the time. (Well they still do!)
She had her husband clean the litters, but other than that there have been no real issues. I hope it is the same for you.
Her 'trouble boy' cat did scratch the baby bed as soon as we got it put up! (But we hid it from her husband. lol) They did decide to keep the baby's room closed off from the cats at the beginning. If my sister or her husband were in the nursery they allowed them in, but at night they closed off the baby's room just to keep the cats from getting cat hair all in the baby's bed and unintentionally scratching him.
The cats and dogs mostly ignored the baby until he was old enough to start crawling around a bit. He just loves them all to death now and will chase them. Everyone runs away from him except one dog who is Tyler's buddy.
Overall it went much better than they feared. He's had a few minor, accidental scratches, but nothing bad. He has more accidents involving toys and sofas and coffee tables etc... than he does with the animals. One of the cats (the 'bad' boy, Ottis) will allow Tyler to pet him until he gets too rough and will go to him, etc... The other two cats ignored him completely for the most part when he was by himself, but would come sit with him when he was being held by my sister, etc...
One of their neighbors talked about having a cat with her baby that always slept with him, but with 13 cats you probably don't want that!
Before Tyler was walking he was just enthralled with the cats. Maybe because they didn't pay him much attention. If one walked by he would just laugh and get so excited, especially if one would let him touch him or her. His favorite book is that "Jingle Cats".
I think the worse thing is we are all worried that Tyler thinks he is a dog! He started getting into the food and water dishes as soon as he could scoot around on the floor. And as an only child his best friend is a basset mix (Barney) who he shares all his cookies and food with and constantly plays with. Barney is one of those dogs that lets Tyler sit on him, pull his tail, anything for food. lol. When Tyler learned to give kisses he mostly kissed Barney (much to my mother's dismay!) My sister started putting Tyler in a playpen when she gave him zwieback cookies or other snacks so Barney wouldn't get them, but Tyler would just push them through the loops and give them to Barney! Tyler frequently plays 'like a dog' and chases toys, etc.. because that's how he plays with Barney. He gives all his toys to Barney who promptly chews them up. When I talk to my sister on the phone all I can hear is "Tyler, no, Barney, no! Get out of the
kitchen Tyler and Barney!" Barney was a stray my sister and brother in law took in. The other two dogs are jealous of Tyler, but mostly ignore him.
I really think children brought up with pets are happier children. My sister spends a lot of time training Tyler not to pull tails, etc... and as he gets older he's starting to understand it and the rest of the animals are warming up to him more. I'm determined for my nephew to be a vet, so we are starting training early!
Good luck!
Tonya
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Nothing to add, just "congratulations" on the pending bebe! :) I'm
sure everything will work out just fine, just stay relaxed, let everyone
know they're loved (I've no shame...I will resort to tuna as bribery for
their love... ;) )... LOL! Most of all, enjoy every moment with your
family!
Jen
****************************************************
"But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be
unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world; You
become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed..." --Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry
"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know
each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what
you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys." --Chief Dan
George
----- Original Message -----
From: Lora <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2005 0:19 am
Subject: Pregnant & Rescue Work
> I have a question. Well, it is more of looking for
> some personal advice on an issue.
>
> I have been off and on the FeLVtalk list for three (3)
> years now, but ever since the "Massive Spraying" issue
> back in 12-14-04 I very rarely receive responses from
> my posts. It is almost as if me and the group have had
> a falling out.
>
> Before I get started and for clarification purposes,
> this post is NOT what you may think that it is. No
> flames please!
>
> For those that do not know me, I am a cat-mom who is
> happily loved by thirteen (13) adorable kitties, ten
> (10) in which are strictly indoors cats only.
> Currently all of my kids are FeLV negative.
>
> The kitties are not the only fur-kids that we have
> adopted. Our house is a multi-animal home. Me and my
> husband have two (2) dogs, a small ten (10) gallon
> freshwater tank, a horse and twenty-five (25) sugar
> gliders. (We do sugar glider rescue work as well as
> feline rescue work.)
>
> ALL of my kids have been rescues via straight off of
> the street, animal control or human societies. I DO
> NOT BREED. All of my fur-kids have been spayed and/or
> neutered (including the exotics) at four (4) months of
> age. We live on six (6) acres of country land.
>
> Okay, with all of the "red-tape" out of the way. The
> reason for this post is because this particular
> "topic" has come up often in the past and I need some
> honest and straightforward advice.
>
> Me and my husband are expecting with our first child.
> I am currently six (6) months pregnant and sacrificing
> any of the fur-kids for our human child is completely
> OUT OF THE QUESTION. We are NOT going to lose ANY
> member of our family due to this pregnancy.
>
> However, me and my husband are completely aware that
> the baby will inevitably change the balance of our
> home's environment and/or atmosphere.
>
> Therefore, we are in need of ideas to help the kids
> through a smooth and safe transition i.e. playing a
> tape/CD that has baby cries on it so that the fur-kids
> can become accustomed to the sound, allowing the kids
> access to the baby's room so that they become familiar
> with the baby's "smell", etc.
>
> Spraying, inappropriate elimination, territorial
> aggression, jealousy, rejection and avoidance are
> normal responses to ANY new arrival and/or addition;
> therefore, me and my husband expect and accept these
> types of behavioral outbursts.
>
> I just did not know if anyone here on the list has
> ever continued their rescue work while pregnant. If
> so, how did the transition workout for you? Did your
> fur-kids eventually come around to "accepting" the new
> baby or do they just call a truce?
>
> Again, this post is not intended to instigate ANY kind
> of argument! Just looking for some helpful and honest
> advice from those of you who have experience in this
> department. Thanks!
>
> Lora
>
>
>
>
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>
