Squinty had always been an affectionate cat, so Elly Zupko wasn’t surprised when he began cuddling against her pregnant tummy.
“I think he liked the warmth I was giving out, as well as my large cuddly tummy,” Zupko told The Dodo. “He must have realized something was up because we converted our home office into a nursery, but I don’t believe he understood what to expect.”
Squinty was rescued by Zupko after his former owners abandoned him.
“His family had submitted him to be euthanized at a vet facility where my then-boyfriend worked because they couldn’t afford the hip surgery he required,” Zupko explained. “My partner thought ‘Mango’ was the greatest cat he’d ever met, and he’s a professional veterinary technician who works with cats every day.” We decided to pay for the operation in installments deducted from my [boyfriend’s] wages in order to keep Mango from being euthanized, and he moved in with me.”
The cat improved — his hip mended wonderfully, and he began moving around normally for a cat his age.
“He’s perfectly mobile,” Zupko remarked, “but he needs to walk the stairs one at a time.” “You’d never guess he’s had anything wrong with him. We also discovered he is deaf a few years ago. It’s tough to tell whether a cat is deaf! For a long time, we assumed he was aloof and a heavy sleeper. He couldn’t hear us, it turns out.”
Mango’s name was initially changed to Steve by Zupko. Then she began referring to him as Squinty because of the way he squinted at people, which Zupko believed was his signature expression.
Squinty’s name stayed, and he became a constant feature in Zupko’s life.
“Squinty has been a part of my life for over 15 years,” Zupko explained. “He’s been with me through six relocations.” During that time, he’s shared a room with seven different humans, five other cats, and two dogs. He now shares our home with my husband and me, our other cat Trova, and our dog Fibber.”
When Zupko’s daughter, Willow, was born, many people warned him not to allow Squinty or Trova around the newborn.
“Many superstitious family friends and relatives cautioned me not to allow the cats approach the newborn because they would ‘steal her breath,’” Zupko explained. “I never worried about that myth, but I did worry about the cats getting into the baby’s crib and disturbing her sleep, or accidently scratching her.” After all, a bassinet is just a large soft box, and we all know what cats do with boxes. Squinty loved getting into the crib because he could peer out between the slats and observe the dog while feeling protected.”
When Squinty finally met Willow, Zupko knew she had nothing to be concerned about.
“I held Willow and let the cats approach and smell her at their own,” Zupko explained. “My other cat, Trova, had no interest in her and still does. I guess he’s envious since he used to be the family’s ‘baby.’ Squinty wanted to be near her right away.”
This astounded Zupko. She had anticipated him to be envious, just like Trova.
“He’s basically a bully to our other cat and dog,” Zupko explained. “Because she is little, I imagined he would regard a newborn as another ‘pet.’” I expected him to be distant or disinterested toward her. However, he seemed to have identified her as a human.”
Squinty likes to snuggle up against Willow whenever he gets the chance.
“From the first time I lay her next to me in my bed, Squinty started lying close to Willow,” Zupko explained. “But he really started spooning with her when I started nursing her at night in a side-lying position in bed, about 10 days old.” Squinty generally slept at the foot of my bed, but when he learned I’d brought Willow into bed with me, he’d rush up and spoon her as she fed. It completely warmed my heart.”
Squinty now spends every day cuddling with Willow.
“When Willow wakes up in the mornings, I generally bring her into bed with me for some cuddling time before we start our day,” Zupko explained. “Almost always, Squinty joins us. She’s stopped most of her night feedings at this point, but when she’s going through a growth spurt and I’m nursing her at night, Squinty nearly always comes over and spoons her.”
Squinty sometimes mimics Willow’s sleeping stance. “It occurs now and again, but he prefers to be right up against her, frequently with his head lying on her,” Zupko explained.
When Willow began clutching Squinty, Zupko was concerned that it might be the end of their relationship. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Squinty is really kind with her,” Zupko observed. “She accidently smacked him while swinging her arms about, but he just accepts it silently.” Whether he’s being bumped or grabbed, he sits peacefully with her. If she clutches too tightly, he may occasionally use his paw to gently push her hand away. But I’ve never seen him become angry with her.”
Zupko believes Squinty and Willow will remain close pals. Zupko, on the other hand, is keenly aware that Squinty is an older cat.
“I like how he’s close to her and not envious of the creature who’s stealing my attention,” Zupko added. “But he’s an older cat, and it makes me sad to think that he might not be there when Willow is older and can appreciate him and share memories with him more fully.”
“Squinty was one of my first adult pets, and he will always be one of my greatest animal loves,” she wrote. “It’s wonderful that Willow can be a part of his life.”
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