Stressful Relationships

 I don't think I will ever understand the relationship between my 3 year old daughter and her cat, Clementine. Found this picture on the web and I think it is a good portrayal of it often times.

 My girl has been in love with her kitty from the moment she saw her, and on rare occasions the cat chooses to reciprocate.

Most of the time the cat is on the run... Running from the girl who will find great joy in forcing her to sleep on her bed, putting pretties in her fur, pulling her tail, smothering her with kisses (literally), and all things little girls like to do with cats. There are the fun times that Clementine plays along, more likely though are the irritated meows, and low groans that warn of impending doom if she doesn't relent. The absolutely pissed tail whipping left to right, up and down.

There have been a few altercations between the two that have ended in the cats favor.  Afton will carry a small scar under her eye, likely forever.

What is confusing to me, is that in a relationship where you would think the love is gone, or at least one sided, these two still share a bond. After Afton is asleep, Clementine will curl up next to her and sleep as well. It is also the loud cry of a little girl calling for her cat to come home that will always get the cat inside, or down a tree as we discovered today.

I watched a black neighborhood cat chase after our Clementine and put her really high up into a giant pine tree. By the time I got my coat and pants on (rather then the pjs I was wearing), and went outside with the dog to chase the black beast away, it had already disappeared but our kitty was high up and afraid to come down. I called and called, she watched me but wouldn't try. Then comes Afton running down the driveway, she didn't even put on a coat silly girl. She starts calling to her kitty with that war cry "kitty kitty kitty" that she is best at. That darn cat, starts trying to find a way down. It takes her awhile and several failed attempts that only ended in circles, and then she is finally brave enough to make the jump the remainder of the way.

A proud little girl who is convinced that her cat loves her as much as she loves it walks back up the drive, followed by a cute orange cat with a puffy tail who is happy to go inside.

I can't help but think she may be right.