Parker Vs. The World

Since coming to live with me last May, Parker has been the centre of my world. I treat him like an only child by constantly buying him toys and treats; he is fed veterinarian formula food, and I brush him every other day. There are those other two cats in the house, though, and we have had the odd visitor. My roommate, Kat, owns a cat with her ex-boyfriend; I have a cat living at home with my mother; my parents got a new puppy who goes everywhere with them. The time also came when Parker had to go attend a slumber party. Parker has met many-a new friend, but he didn't exactly love all of them immediately.

Our house is a cat house. Parker managed to live seven and a half months before meeting anything besides human or cat. My parents visited just before Christmas, and they brought along their new puppy, a six month old shih tzu. As sad an excuse of a dog as a shih tzu is, she was foreign to Parker. He sniffed the air with curiosity, gauging the strange people and their companion. It is interesting to me how Parker, who had never met a dog before, knew that he needed to hate the visitor. I picked Parker up and sat next to the dog, restraining my kitten. He continued to hiss, tail flared. The puppy sniffed at the feline and then turned back to her bone while Parker continued to emit his obscenities. Eventually Parker calmed down, and he started playing with the dog’s happy tail while the dog was on my lap.

 The only time Parker has slept away from home was these past holidays when I went away with my ex-boyfriend to meet his family in Barbados. I didn’t want to burden my roommates with the responsibility of Parker for two whole weeks, so I asked the cat lovers in my life if they would be able to take him in, temporarily. I found one who was willing, and the day before my international flight I cabbed over to her house. We implemented some of the tips from the handy multiple-cat homes pamphlet to introduce Parker to the new home. We let him take his time to come out of the carrier, and placed the resident cat, Pippin, in his bedroom while Parker explored the living room. When Pippin was presented to Parker, I heard Parker hiss for the first time since I swept the stairs when he was a wee kitten. He acted really out of character by hissing at Pippin non-stop. Other cats have come into our home and Parker has happily welcomed them, but being the outsider did not sit well with my little man. After three days, there, though, Parker and Pippin became the best of friends.

Parker is a social and friendly cat who never hides when there is a party at the house. Everyone who meets him instantly falls in love because of how fluffy and energetic he is. He finds a way to interact with everyone who crosses his path; he never shies away. And that is why he has so many friends, even in Oreo and Pippin. 

Parker and Pippin napping on day five of Parker's visit.

Comments

[Matt Miller]

Poor little guy just needed some time to adjust! Adorbs!