My playhouse is not a photo booth, mom!
Bonding with my mom is an ongoing process. Each of us has had to show patience and understanding as we continue to learn how best to communicate with one another.
When mom first adopted me, I would not allow her to pet me. I bolted anytime she got close and if she managed to touch me, I would flinch. Mom was saddened by my strong reactions but persisted in handling me.
For several months, she would sit in the x-pen with me. When she was really tired, she would even nap on the floor while I played. While she appeared to be asleep, I would approach cautiously to smell her head and feet. Every once in a while, I would wake her up by gently walking across her.
In addition to spending hours a day in the x-pen with me, mom would also hold me for a few minutes before she turned in for the night. I hated to be held (and the truth is, I don’t much care for it now). But, mom would hold me until I stopped wriggling. When I calmed down, she would slowly let me go until I was free to hop away.
Through this daily process, I learned to trust that mom — she was not going to harm me. And then one magical day, I gave mom a soft tooth purr while she rubbed my head. Since then, even if I was cranky earlier in the day, when mom rubs my head, I tooth purr. It makes her so happy and I get as much petting as I’d like! When I’ve had enough, I simply hop away.
This is the closest human relationship I have ever had. Some days are better than others but overall, I like communicating with mom and I am accepting more and more of her affection.
Just two weeks ago, I did something unusual. I started chewing on the couch in the family room. Mom stopped me immediately and I had to go into my room. She followed, picked me up, and reminded me that I’m a well-behaved bun that doesn’t chew the furniture. She put me down and started to leave my room. Normally, when I get a stern talking to, I run in the opposite direction as mom to find a hiding place to sulk. This time, I chased after mom and put my paw on her foot to stop her from leaving my room. She looked down, knelt next to me, and asked what I wanted to tell her. I put my head down to show her that I wanted to be pet — it was my way of telling her I was sorry for misbehaving and asking for forgiveness. Of course, mom gave me a nice head rub and I haven’t done any mischievous chewing since that evening.