Kids and Pets Photo Entry

Jan's Funny Farm is sponsoring a Kids and Pets Photo Contest to help celebrate National Kids and Pets Day on April 26.  I started to submit an entry of me as a kitten with mom's nephews from 14 years ago, but then I remembered this special moment with my special friend, Cody.  Cody is the son of my mom's best friend, Janet and he has Down's Syndrome.  He always calls my mom his "girlfriend" and my mom just smiles every time he says it.  A few years ago, Cody and his mom came over to visit my mom after her foot surgery.  Mom reminded Cody to be very quiet when he came in the house because I am not used to little beans and don't like loud noises.

I have a ritual everytime I meet someone new.  You must put out your hand and let me smell it.  If I turn around and offer my backside to you, it's my way of saying that it's okay for you to pet me.  I must tell you that I don't always let people pet me.  In fact, if I walk away from you, I'll never accept you or come to you.  As you can see, I turned around immediately and let Cody pet me.  Don't you just LOVE the smile on his face.

The next thing that happened totally shocked my mom!  After Cody petted me, I turned around and licked his hand.  I've only licked two people's hands my entire life:  my mom and my mom's friend that took care of me as a kitten (who also rescues all types of animals).  Mom says I made Cody's day (and hers!).  I just smiled inside, knowing that I helped to make a special child's day even more special.  Mom says what makes this story even more amazing is that I've never let a child anywhere near me (other than when I was a kitten).  Do you have leaky eyes yet?

And for extra points, I still wanted to include a picture of me as a kitten with my mom's two nephews, who are her life (since she never had any children).  Russell is 26 years old now and William is 21.