Ah-Choo!

I have a cat.  I've had this cat for 10 years.  I've had cats before him, and dogs, and I've even had a few mice... but i've never had any allergies.  Not to animals, or plants, or dust particles.  Especially not to my own pets!  However, about two years ago, one of my eyeballs almost blew up.  At the time, I could not (nor could the doctor who treated me at the ER) figure out why.  Then, after a few more eye instances, and some sneezing attacks- all revolving around one 23-pound-lovie-cat, I realized the truth-  I had become allergic to my cat.  The cat that slept on my chest, sat on my lap, followed my feet and blessed my sneezes (i swear!  every time he made me sneeze, he followed it up with a hearty "godblessmew!"
For the last two years, I have dealt with the annoying eye issues and sneezes that have taken its toll on my relationship with my feline friend.
Tonight, though, as i was putting the baby to sleep for the third time, i rocked her in the cushy easy chair rocker, held her close, and sang softly into her sweet little ear.  She softened her grip on my finger and began to float away to her tiny dream-state.  And then I caught a whiff of dander somewhere in my nose, and try as i did to stop it, I sneezed.  I sneezed loud, and hard, and many, many times in a row.  Then she awoke; and then she screamed.  And I cursed the cat, and the chair for being his safe haven during the days, and dander, and everything i could think of.  I swore at the top of the lungs in my head that he would go straight to the SPCA tomorrow.  For about a three minute period, i used words (internally, of course) that sailors would blush at- until I finally stopped sneezing, and the baby finally stopped screaming.  And we somehow returned to a serene state where she could drift away once more.  
And tomorrow, as i vacuum the chair to remove all traces of cat from it, I will think back on my swear to visit the SPCA (not the first swear of this kind). And as much as i'd love to not have my eyes blow up, or my baby be awakened by my obnoxious sneezing, or countless other annoyances that he brings to my life, i've had him for 10 years.  he is a part of this family, and i will once again NOT visit the SPCA.  he will be here another day, and night, and day again... for as long as his nine lives allow, dander and all.