I’m about a month into being a new cat owner to the sweetest grey kitten in the world (yes, I truly mean that). Growing up, the Kaminski family was definitely an animal-friendly household, with our norm always being a cat or dog by our feet, ready to shower us with affection and love.
That said, the responsibility of pet care never really fell to my sister and me. Apart from the occasional time we’d fill their water bowl, or more often, take my German Shepherd for one of her favourite walks, our role was more about enjoying their company than tending to their needs.
While I’m still in the honeymoon phase with my kitten, Gozo, whom my boyfriend and I named after an island we visited in Malta last summer, having a small, innocent, and pure being to care for is an entirely new experience for me.
Whether it’s the fear of overfeeding him (or not feeding him enough), or wondering if he’s a cute, devilish mastermind meowing at his bowl on a full belly just to get another helping, or following his quick footsteps up the stairs to make sure he doesn’t attempt to explore our bedroom ledge, I feel those motherly instincts kicking in.
As someone who knows that one day I want to be a mum, to have my own children to love and care for, this new blessing in my life is preparing me in ways I never expected. More than that, I feel deeply connected to the part of myself that longs to nurture and protect those I love, which is a truly beautiful feeling.
While it may seem to some like it’s just a cat or that this experience is nothing unique, only pet owners understand the depths of joy that come with it, like the warmth of being greeted after a long day at work or the oddly special moment when your animal chooses to curl up in your lap.
On top of all these new experiences, I also feel that raising and caring for Gozo has brought my boyfriend and me even closer. We talk about our future in a way that now includes Gozo, thinking about how one day, our children will meet him. That thought alone is both exciting and makes the future feel incredibly real and tangible.
If you’re thinking of adopting a pet, I couldn’t recommend it enough. The joy Gozo has brought to my daily life is something I know will be a never-ending honeymoon.
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