New baby in the house

"Dear Cocoa,

I love reading your column and have gotten some excellent advice about everyday things; however, I now have a problem of my own that I was hoping you could fix.  You see, I am a 'well-rounded' feline with lots of experience years behind me.  Yesterday I was presented with an intruder in my home and I find that the intruder is pampered and fed more than me.  What's more, he has been given MY bed to sleep in!  I have told my pets time and again that this type of behavior is inexcusable; but, for some strange reason, they are not listening to me anymore.  The intruder is small and seems to be helpless so I could fight it for territory; however, I feel deep down inside, that my pets would not agree with that process.

Signed Hoping You Can Help"

"Dear Hoping You Can Help,

I fear you have been subjected to the 'new baby in the house syndrome'.  You see, when we felines get older we tend to want to sleep more and play less (thus our 'well-rounded' appearance).  This makes our pets upset because they love to play with us (of course they would).  Thinking that the problem is loneliness, our pets often decide to introduce another into the household.  If the new one was older, you could easily fight to exert your authority.  However, if the new one is a baby, well.........  Bear with your pets for a bit (a day or so ought to do the trick) and then they will grow tired of the baby's demands.  You can then begin to 'train' the little one as to the order and behavior expected from him.

Signed Cocoa"