Of cats and boys

They have this weird relationship: Baruck, our eight-year-old cat, seems to tolerate Lucas' clumsy affection, sometimes trying to hide himself from my little boy, but when Lucas gets hurt (which often happens, being the restless little dude he is), he is the first one to reach him to comfort, rubbing himself at Lucas' leg as if to say, "hey it was so bad! I'm here!", and Lucas almost instantly calms down. When sick, Lucas knows Baruck is under his little bed and this also calms him down at those terrible night fevers. Often I get up in the middle of the night and find them sleeping together in Lucas' bed, and I have to shoo the poor thing to his own place, once Lucas' dad is a bit allergic and I don't want him to develop the same problem, so at least when sleeping he needs to be away from him.

When we're celebrating sabbaths, Baruck stands under the altar until we're finished and then waits to get his portion of the goodies I prepared for the ritualistic meal, always from Lucas' hands.

Sometimes I feel as if this kitty is Lucas' guardian, for he follows my son wherever he goes, on his typical superior feline way, not showing how much he cares unless when strictly necessary (those who own cats know what I mean...). I feel I'm detached from this connection and respect it. Who am I to be an intruder?! :)