Recently our family celebrated our cat’s, Miss Kitty, 13^th birthday. This may sound like I have a teenager in the house, but in all actuality-she has moved on toward retirement. Thirteen equates to 68ish years in human years. Geez-no wonder cats need nine lives. In our eyes, she is the purrrrfect cat. As my toddler says “we wuv our cat much”. In 13 short years, she has survived 5 moves, endured a house remodel, sit by our laptops as we have worked to earn a combined 5 college degrees (she’s a smart cat), made peace with not being the only-child when our son made his debut, and went missing in action a time or two. Miss Kitty isn’t a lap cat, but you can always depend on her being somewhere near keeping an eye on life. Even though she isn’t as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as she once was, her belly sags, and she moves a little slower- she still has a little spunk left in her. In the past thirteen years, she has taught me a thing or two about life. If you love dogs, don’t be a sour puss, you might learn a thing or two from our cat.

1. When life is crap, kick some litter over it, and move on. And…if you’re lucky, somebody might clean it up for you.
2. Don’t wait for the sun to find you…find the sunny spots and move as they shift.
3. Being man’s best friend is over rated. It is a dog-eat-dog world and it’s a catastrophe waiting to happen if you compare yourself to a dog. Make your own world, even if you don’t have nine lives.
4. Be independent. Enjoy the company of others, but be able to stand on your on 2 feet (or paws).
5. Look at things from different perspectives. Sitting on top of an armoire provides a different view than from under the bed-always take in different perspectives. Know when to stand out and know when to blend in.
6. Spat, forgive, and forget. Life is too short to hold grudges.
7. Use your claws wisely, bite seldom, and hiss sparingly. Scratches and bite marks may heal, but emotional wounds can remain forever.
8. Be near the ones you love. Even if you aren’t a lap cat, enjoy the company you keep.
9. Speak up when you want something. If someone doesn’t listen….speak again. MEOW!
10. There is peace in solitude and silence. Sometimes retreating away to a hiding place is good for the soul.
11. Take a cat nap: never underestimate the power of a good nap
12. Pounce on every opportunity the world has to offer!
13. When you are feeling spunky-play. Even if it’s a 2 AM and everyone else wants to sleep.

One cool cat.

Ahhh..the sun.

Please…I am trying to nap!

Cat in the Inbox

Checking out the dryer vent.

Know when to blend in.

Expert Cat in APA

Today my spoon is full of great lessons from my cat. In my eyes, she is the Cat’s Meow!