Parenthood

This photo is of my husband holding our son. Merlin loves to be held closely like this and asks to be picked up and go under the covers. I chose this photo because it shows interspecies parenthood love. When Merlin wants comfort he seeks us to cradle him and then he sort of goes into a trance-like calm state of mind, occasionally accompanied by a tiny suckling sound which many cats make when they’ve been weaned too early. He makes it when he feels fully safe and cozy. Not all companion animals want to be held or carried but for Merlin it is a need. It’s so beautiful when we are able to recognize our animals’ emotional needs as well as their physical ones. And at times this even means placing their comfort above our own. I know for most of you reading this sounds normal - but in a way it’s a revolutionary concept. It’s completely dismantling our mainstream society’s generally accepted & taught species hierarchy. There may be resistance at times from some who haven’t known the love of an animal companion. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is what we know in our hearts about the love we share. The look in their eyes of complete trust that we will do our very best for them always. Honoring our companion’s need to have their emotions acknowledged.✨