Being here at the in-laws’ house has been nice and relaxing for Jan and myself, but it’s been absolutely wonderful for Emily. She is almost a completely different person than the one we carried on that fateful flight to Stanstead just six days ago where we fortuitously finagled an empty seat for Emily to occupy. Contributing to this staggering metamorphosis have been the caring hands of her grandparents, vast stretches of unexplored carpeting, the cool grassy garden, the towering staircase, all sorts of new and exciting foods, but most of all, Chelsea (affectionately known to us as Billy Bun Bun).

Everything stops when Chelsea enters the room. Emily drops whatever toy/food/furniture she is holding and shrieks with delight. I’m not kidding, she shrieks! And she doesn’t stop shrieking for hours on end. The only other time we have ever seen her like this is when we’re on the street and she spots a doggie. Emily points, smiles, and shrieks. Well now she’s got a 24 hour house cat to lust after.

Chelsea didn’t know what to make of our little girl when they first met. Emily may have come on a little too strong. Maybe even bordering on aggressive. Screaming and chasing and swatting and ear pulling and fur grabbing have all been met by woeful stares from Chelsea and firm “No”s by her parents (all promptly ignored). Sometimes she attempts a delicate caress but inevitably clenches her hand and pulls away a fistful-o-fur. We’re trying to introduce the word “gentle” into her vocabulary. But even five days after they first met, the novelty hasn’t worn off – Emily still chases poor little Billy Bun mercilessly around the house.

Yesterday, Chelsea would take no more. He finally stood his ground and retaliated from a fierce open handed slap to the face with a decisive claw-thrash to the hand. Emily staggered back in confusion while the tears slowly began to well up. It was an important lesson for out little girl to learn. But not the right one, I’m afraid. Now, instead of respecting the cat’s space, she charges at him with a flip-flop extended in front of her like a gladiator’s shield. I don’t think we’ll be getting a cat any time soon.