A small child

I have a cat named Ralphie. He's 3 or 4ish. I've realized over the last few days that he is like a small child to me, a small child who speaks another language. He follows me around the house everywhere i go, he talks to me in his foreign language, he likes to snuggle, he throws tantrums, he hides under the covers or bed when he's scared, he loves to play games, and he loves to chase and torment girls. I feel like i have adopted a small child from a foreign country.