DEAR ABBY: My calico cat, Rosie, seems to be fixated on my next-door neighbor Ron. Every morning Rosie grooms herself for an hour, then jumps in the window to watch for Ron to go for his morning run. She sits there until Ron comes out of his house. He exercises a lot and has kept himself in shape, while I admit I have let myself go. As soon as she sees him, Rosie starts purring.
I have to say that I resent this. I provide her with room and board and brush her regularly, but while I'm doing it, she watches the window intently and then bolts to her lookout post if Ron appears. I bought new window treatments, which she scratched her way through, damaging the blinds and shades. Filling her food dish strategically before Ron goes out doesn't deter her.
I love my cat, but I feel she is being unfaithful. What should I do?
P.S. I'm happily married (my wife thinks I'm crazy) and Rosie has been fixed. -- LARRY IN DELAWARE
DEAR LARRY: What a sad situation. Few things are more painful than feeling rejected by a love object. You didn't mention how sedentary you are, but it's possible that Rosie watches Ron because he is a moving object. Consider joining Ron on his runs and you may find Rosie is watching you, too. However, if that doesn't work, you may have to share the affections of your cat. Accept it.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
OMG is this for real?!? I have shared my cats with my neighbors. One was a pilot who was gone too often to have his own cat but when he was home he let Winston in his house & fed him & loved him. My next door children's father wouldn't let them have a pet but they would sneak Schmoopy inside when he wasn't home. She loved the kids & they loved her. They referred to her as "our" cat meaning mine & theirs. Desmond always visited the house two doors down & came home smelling like perfume until they moved.
