The Mom-inator

Sibling Rivalry...

Who knew that when Jackson was born he's have to compete with for our time and affections? When Jack was about two months old we brought Smokey into the household, wanting Jack to have a pet to grow up with. Jack and Smokey are the same age, born around the same time no less.

We've watched our two little guys grow older together, Smokey turning into a full-grown cat, and Jack turning into super-toddler. It seems as though Smokey has issues with sharing both Ken and I with Jack, but mostly me. Jack is a normal little boy, he plays with his toys, chases the cat around at times, and we've even taught Jack how to approach Smokey "nicely" so as to not have scratches and tears, which we have anyway. Smokey has taken to spraying on Jack's toys, in his crib, on his favorite "baby" even. I have the keen sense of smell, and when Smokey sprays, I'm forever watching him after a proper ass-kicking, but nothing seems to penetrate through Smokey's thick skull.

Smokey's getting neutered on January 2nd, but I wonder if this will stop him from spraying all over Jack's things. He's jealous of Jack, even though I try and show Smokey the most affection that I can. Smokey used to sleep in our bedroom at night with us, but since he's taken to spraying, he's been ejected and is no longer allowed in either bedroom, especially not Jack's!

Is there such a thing as a pet therapist? I can't run through the house with the pet odor spray all day long, and I most certainly can't separate Jack and Smokey, but it's getting to the point where Smokey may be sent to the after-life if he doesn't get over this sibling rivalry that he's going through. Jack is a permanent fixture in this family, and we were hoping that Smokey would be too, but it's beginning to look like Smokey's going to be given away, and that's the last thing we want to do with our beloved pet.

I never had this problem when Deanna was a baby and I had another cat. Buster was great with Deanna; he worshipped her, so I'm perplexed about the whole Jack and Smokey situation. This bothers me, and I'm hoping it will work itself out soon before Jack loses an eye, and I have to kill Smokey for it!

posted by Alley @ 9:04 AM