Just a boy and his cat

Ben has always had a fascination with the Lennon, our cat.  When Ben was tiny the cat would curl up with him and Ben would be very gentle.  The first time Ben pulled up was because Lennon was on the couch.  Ben used to crawl after Lennon and do the Ben head butt, which is a gentle head butt and a great show of affection from our little guy.  I thought they would have this very special bond.

Then... Ben became a toddler, I sometimes equate this to Puff the Magic Dragon.  

Lennon will still come up to Ben and rub on him, but his gentle nature it gone.  Now he tries to drag Lennon by her tail, or pull out handfuls of her fur.  Lennon retreats to places he can't reach her now.  Ya know... green scales falling like rain and sadly slipping into the cave and all that stuff.

I am trying diligently to get Ben to gentle with his kitty, but I fear my pleas fall on deaf toddler ears.  Someday Lennon will have her gentle cuddle buddy back, until then we have special high sleeping places set up for our dear cat.  It's funny the impact babies have.  I mean we all go into it knowing life will never be the same, but seriously, I feel like I am mourning for my cat and her confusion of this monster who used to be her cuddle buddy.  I just hold out hope that they will start playing in the months to come, Lennon is a very playful cat.  Hopefully I can teach Ben how to play with her.  You never know what is going to affect you along the long road of raising children.