When Charlie was but a pup, he hated cats. All we had to do was say the word cat and he would go into a cat hunting frenzy.
"Is that the neighbor's cat?", "What's that cat's name?", "cat scan", "catatonic..." Anything with the c.a.t. sound in it.
One day, a stray cat showed up at our front door. He'd not yet heard of Charlie who was no doubt famous among the neighborhood cats by now.
He was a beautiful gray tabby cat with a black masked face, rather like a Maine Coon cat. He was a lonely, hungry, forlorn kitty, indeed.
Though I am allergic to cats, the mother in me couldn't resist picking him up. He immediately wrapped his arms about my neck and purred.
At that point, I had adopted a cat. We would have to tell Charlie gently but firmly...you have a brother now. He's a cat.
I first let Charlie sniff my hands. Then I brought him in. Charlie had never seen a cat inside his domain. Something must be wrong...
He began to shiver, as Chihuahuas do when they are freaking out. The cat hissed vigorously, not knowing what to do with a shivering dog.
Feeling assured that at least Charlie wouldn't go after the cat in this...somewhat catatonic state, I put the cat down on the floor.
Like a couple of drunken cowboys, cat and Chihuahua began to cautiously circle each other at a safe distance...right hand on their guns.
Then the cat made his first move. He took a step towards Charlie. Charlie started backing up until he was safely under the coffee table.
No one ever bothered him when he was under the coffee table. But this cat...he didn't know that. Actually, he fit quite well under there.
Charlie started to tremble again, but this time the cat didn't mind. He made his final move...
Ever-so-softly he walked up to Charlie and sniffed. Then he started to purr. He rubbed his face against Charlie's face, and Charlie relaxed.
Together, they laid down under the table. Charlie licked the kitty's ears, and then the kitty licked Charlie's ears.
They were fast friends from that moment on. Brothers from another mother.
