I’m not sure if I’m completely mortified by what’s about to happen, or if I’m giddy with excitement.
I’m leaning towards completely mortified. This is the part where you have hard evidence that I’m weird. There’s no denying my CatLady status now.
I made my cat a birthday cake. I’m about to tell you about it. Run away now, if you must. I’ll understand.
What is to follow is the life of this young feline, Jules (Cat) Stevens. It’s complex and it ends in an ugly yellow bow. Welcome to my life.
This is the creature that I lived with this last year. I still live with a version of this creature… you’ll see what happens towards the end.
But this creature… this creature had a passion for sunny windows, and a love for his mother (that’s me, DUH) like no other.
This creature grew. Found his voice. Started yelling…
and never wanted to stop yelling. He has a lot to say… mostly about how he wants to go outside, and what he wants to eat.
Sometimes he wants to eat his own tail while sitting in my camera bag. He’s being cute for dramatic effect. I feed him actual food.
At some point early this year, this young man started to get weird. Exhibit A.
He got really weird.
You know I can still see you kitten, right?
He found awesome things to lay on and next to.
And I love his striped tail.
He looks so sweet and innocent.
He looks so curious and rugged.
But do not let this wet animal fool you.
He is a monster. He will hunt you down and swipe your leg. If you are moving, he is hunting you.
This kitten has the soul of a warrior. He’s ruthless, and he loves when your feet move under the covers.
Go on… move em.
Attack!
He’s been waiting all night for your to roll over in your sleep. Aaaaalllll night. Sucka.
I love this animal. He has an attitude. He can be a jerk.
But!
Everyday he sits between my desk and the front door like a little, furry guard. If the front bell rings, he’s at the door faster than any dog I’ve seen. I like to think that’s he’d scratch an attacker’s eyes out (unless that attacker had cat treats). He’s my little kitty jerk.
Because I love this creature, I created Cat Land for his first birthday.
Cat Land is a collection of my cat’s favorite toys. As you see…. most of these things are in fact NOT toys. They are considered toys to my jerk of an animal.
He loves to eat my earphones. Nothing is more enjoyable than running toilet paper all over the house. He loves to test water by placing his paw inside of my water glass, he likes to bat my rings and earrings under the couch, and occasionally he enjoys his actual leopard print cat string.
He also loves to sit on burlap. Because he’s weird.
So. Cat Land.
Play, birthday kitten. Play!
Seriously? Cat Land was a success. Like, major.
Seriously? Cat Land was destroyed. Like, major.
And then it was time for cake.
Why does he look so pissed?
Why does he look so skeptical? He sees me cook everyday!
See? Cat cake!
Cake Cake is made up of plain baked salmon and super cheap Whole Foods dry cat food. It’s totes gourmet.
Happy Birthday Jules.
You light up my life. You scratch my leg. You terrorize me in the dark.
You also make me look like a totally awful cat mom, because you wont let me brush your hair and you messed up your birthday bow. You look nothing at all like those polished cats on Etsy wearing bowties and berets. Ugh!!! But…
This is how we live.
This is how we live.
312 Responses
Love, love, LOVE this post :) I swear, we’d be friends in real life. Your hilarious…AND I totally think like this too. haha.
darnit. you’re.
Jules is gorgeous! Happy Birthday Late (I’m new to your blog).
We have an orange tabby – Symon. 6 months old. He’s a handful!
He is so beautiful. Look at those crazy beautiful golden eyes. My cat is my bestie and pretty much my only family as I live a long way from home. She too is more of a watch dog than any dog. I reckon she would scratch to death any intruder too :0). I get cats. I get your love and friendship with this cat. He really is beautiful. I think it is a privilege to share a life with a mini wild independent creature.
I read this awhile ago, and have been re-reading it regularly. Oh man, I love cats :)
OMG I LOVE this post. Too cute.
It was my Sophie’s 2nd Birthday recently :) I bought her helium balloons, she likes to jump and catch the string and then watch them float back up!!
oooo…i’m a crazy cat lady too!;) would love more posts on Jules !:)
and…oh yah, you probably already know, but some flowers are extremely toxic to cats – esp lilies. i just found out a year ago, and was so glad to know this info!
Aw, that’s so sweet! You’re not crazy, just a cat lady ;-)
When I got my kitty, I promised myself I wouldn’t become one of “those” women. That lasted all of one week. All cats I’ve had since have gotten birthday cakes, special treats, self-constructed toys and when they cry, I grab the leash and take them on their walk. I’ve made my peace with being a cat lady, there certainly are worse things one could be :-)
Happy Birthday, Jules! And good luck, Joy. My Leopold has that same fur, except it’s white and he also won’t let my brush him. I recommend getting a second cat who can help with the grooming. It worked for us.
I forgot to say: Q-tips are a favorite toy around here. Also, tampons with the shrink-wrap still on (tampons are wrapped differently here in Germany). We have to hide both in cabinets, otherwise we’d run out constantly.
A cat birthday cake – I love it! What a wonderful birthday for a lucky cat! ^_^
(By the way, I visit from time to time but haven’t commented before. Your blog is beautiful – such stunning photos and wonderful recipes. Keep up the fantastic work! :)
Such jeweled eyes. Gorgeous cat.
Happy Birthday Jules! It looks like he had the best day, EVER! And what a handsome kitty he is. As a fellow cat mom, nothing makes me feel better than seeing my cat happy and purring – no matter what destruction he leaves in his wake. Gorgeous pictures of your fella brought a huge smile to my face on a day I really needed it. Thanks for sharing!
Awww, my cat Millie just had her 11th birthday. Know I’ll know what to make for her 12th :) My other cat is 5 and looks a lot like Jules, but gray/black striped. They all like to sit on paper, or magazines that they’ve knocked on the floor. Millie really likes to swipe at me from underneath the table cloth and Alistair enjoys eating bugs. I love them both to pieces! And I’m not even a fan of cats! :)
Happy birthday and have happy furry long long life Jules the Cat!
My sisters and I had a wedding reception for our turtle and our friend’s cat when I was 4. My sister made cakes and frosting in the little bake oven. We decorated the backyard to be very wedding like, balloons, confetti, ken and barbie; everyone in my toy collection who was important.The turtle gave the groom (cat) piggy back rides on her shell, or so we forced them, we had music, threw rice at them, had them do a first dance and then at the end of the party they had to say good bye because our friend had to go home. I wish we had pictures! You did a wonderful job of preserving the image of your lovely kitty for the future. You can always remember his first birthday!!!
Oh they do like to grow up to be jerks don’t they? I have 2 that were lovable snuggly sweeties as kittens and grew into cats that hate to be pet, picked up, and looked at on occasion. Still, we carry on and love them anyway. Happy bday to your orange tabby. I have one too but he has a milk mustache.
We love, love, love all of this: your cat, the photos, the cake, the blog, you.
I have little birthday surprises for all my four,as I know all their birthdays.I really like that little cake! Lucky are the cats we love!
This is precious. Jules (Cat) Stevens is precious. Have you ever introduced him to a laser pointer? If not, get one stat. He will FLIP. Happy Birthday to your kitty!
I made my kitty ice cream for her birthday. This doesn’t strike me as odd at all.
I love this! What a great post. I don’t feel so bad now :)
That’s so adorable! Happy bday to your kitty :).
so how bad is it that for ten and a half years i was blessed to have Wendy in my life we celebrated the anniversary of the day i met her because she was six and nobody knew her birthday when we met?
is jules a maine coon? he is gorgeous!! i have a small obession with orange cats.
Just about died from laughing from reading this! I am on campus and couldn’t laugh out loud and almost couldn’t hold it in! Super funny!!! ahahahahahahahahahahaaa!!!!
that drenched picture is still my fave! although, the bow pic at the end make me smile as well :)
happy birthday Jules!
This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day…hahahahahhaha. But it’s all so true. I had two kitties and I miss them dearly. I used to spend hours laughing at them (ok with them) and my friends thought I was crazy but they really are special little beings. Happy birthday to your kitty!
i miss being a cat owner. and i am totally in love with your kitty. =]
omg, what a cute cat!!! look at all the wonderful photos! nothing wrong w/ making your pets a cake of some sort. i love cat land too. your cat and my birds like the same things. glad your kitty had a great birthday, he looks quite handsome w/ the yellow ribbon. i actually have to make my birds a “cake” of some sort this weekend cuz a few of them are having birthdays. thanks for sharing, i def love this post!
love love love. we, too, have cat parties but they take place on the bed. since harriet-kitty is 17 and mostly deaf (yet still very frisky) she’s no longer interested in TP and leg swatting. happy birthday jules!
This may be my favorite blog post ever! I love your cat story and cake and I am a total dog person–never had a cat!
I feel terrible for missing his birthday but a belated wish is just as good, right? And don’t feel crazy-I have a small 1 person 1 dog party for my dog every year and he looks at me like I’m crazy when I ply him with treats.
If you haven’t yet, you must read Homer’s Odyssey.
You will love it crazy cat lady!
This is adorable and hilarious. Happy birthday Jules!
It’s true, cats like to play with anything and everything that’s NOT a cat toy. My fiancee and I have two cats that rule the house and terrorize us. We love them :) I think you may have just started a new trend of cat cake making. We’ll see how the trend unfolds in 2012.
Such a wonderful cat land party!
I love it! My husband is allergic to our 2 long haired black & whites.
Not sure you are full on cat lady until he has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diego-Cruz-Marsek/110544642297883
or a pillow at Urban Oufitters!:
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20940961&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump
Happy Birthday to your little one :)
I, like surprisingly so many others who posted on this, do not like cats, at all. They make my eyes itch and swell. BUT, like so many others, this is the second time I’ve read this post. I showed it to all of my roommates and narrated. “You terrorize me in the dark.” makes me lol, always. Thank you for making Jules make me give cats the benefit of the doubt.
You don’t have to dislike an animal just because you’re allergic. It’s not like they intentionally make your eyes itch and swell. Yes, please give them the benefit of the doubt.
Totes! I’m allergic to pretty much anything that is alive (grass, dogs trees, horse, flowers, cats etc.) but that doesn’t stop me from buying flowers to put in my room, rolling down a grassy slope or filling my house with 2 cats, 1 dog, 1 foster kitten and 2 foster dogs… and rubbing my face in their furry bellies at least ten times a day.
Oh. my. goodness. Oh my. Wow.
a) my cat yells too. like all the time. last week a neighbor THREE houses down, told me they can hear her when our windows are open. THREE HOUSES DOWN.
b) doesn’t jewelry make the best cat toys? especially favorite earrings? or engagement rings? Harper loves to pick mine up off my dresser and run off with it. I guess kitties need diamonds too.
c) You’re a better kitty mom than me. I forgot her birthday. Maybe I’ll make a cake for her “adoption” day.
Dear Joy, a year ago i would have run away but this year we got a kitten and named her Jade…iam in love and she is 4 months old and a persian mix brown and dappled wit cream and light brown stripes…Well iam officially a cat lady too…Who cares…Cats are so sweet and i never knew that until Jade came into my life…Embrace your cat ladyness i am…Brightest blessings to you and your kitty…e*
You are hilarious and adorable!we totally made cakes for our dog growing up too. My mom forgot once and felt so bad, like the dog even knows the difference.
I think you’re awesome for creating Cat Land for your kitty. And making a totes gourmet cake.
Happy (belated) Birthday to Jules!
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
*sniff*
that was awesome. Your cat is awesome. YOU are awesome.
I have to go read it again!
L o v e !!! I’m note taking! My kitty Octavius turns 3 in December….
Love the cat land. Happy birthday Jules!
Cat Land rocks. One of my cats looks JUST like your cat, and her favorite thing to sit on is sheets of paper (she loves bilks) on top ofcarpet. Weird. Happy birthday Jules!
Love it! And totally understand it. I am so making my Michelangelo a cake for his next kitty birthday! I have scratches all over my ankles from the hunter under the bed while I’m trying to make it, I have pulled threads on my comforter from shifting my feet under it during the night and a broom that’s missing half of itself from the little monster that loves to fight with it as I am trying to sweep. I love every second of it. He even meow’s every time I sneeze! Your cat is adorable and it make me feel better knowing I am not the only one who feels this way!!!
I love you. and your cat so much. Happy Birthday!
Joy this is so cute!! The cat is adorable!!! And I NEED your camera, the pics are amazing!
p.s.
once you have kids you dont need to be mortified things like cat parties or hamster weddings and un birthday celebrations are more than exceptable, their required!! My kids are my key to cookyness!!
Well, if you think you’re weird, I guess I am just beyond hope… because my dog turned five last week and I am throwing her a party… with people guests… and hats…. and dog treats. Not sorry!!
My cat, Clarke, would lurve cat land (especially if it had bottle caps, fake flowers, and ping pong balls). Happy Birthday Jules!
Oh my goodness, this is the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen. So freaking adorable! Happy birthday kitten!
Don’t feel mortified! It’s awesome that you love your cat. :) I’ve had my cat Holly for almost 15 years and I just rescued two sweet baby kittens from outside my apartment a couple weeks ago. Having three cats seems sort of a lot but I can’t give these cuties up! :)
My kid likes to play with things that are not toys. Like our shelf of dvds, my sunglasses, my car keys (a no-no), the power strip (BIG no-no)…. It must be a one-year-old thing. :)
Cat Land looked incredible!!!! He’s a very handsome kitty cat.
I think I may have to recreate that tiered cake for my Smoochie’s 4th birthday next month. Loved this post.
The bow looks fab…My little sister is obessed with tying bows around our chickens. It’s become a daily occurrence to see a chicken wandering around with a pink ribbon tied around its middle.
But that was a lovely kitty party, oui!
sooo sweet of you to make a cake to your cat.. so cute
If Whiskertown existed, Jules would totally be the mayor.
Oh this is sooo cute! You really nice pictures of your adorable cat! Some are sweet, and some hilarious! So nice of you to cook for him, unusual but nice!
Oh, my daughter and I laughed…we, too, are slowly becoming cat ladies. It all started when we dug the wild kittens out from under the parsonage at church. (Okay, we had to use a humane trap.) Then we let them run free in our house all summer while we tried to train them. (They did use the litter box.) Turns out? They trained US. So the deal we made about giving up the ones we couldn’t tame for new homes? Well, um….hmm. Now we have three kitties. One who is tamed beautifully. One who waits for quiet moments to sneak into our laps if we are very still and quiet. AND…one…well, one that we have named “Tenth.” (You know, after the 9 ring wraiths in LOTR? This is obviously the tenth one that went missing.) And somehow, even when they are jerks, even when they leave puncture marks as they four-wheel-drive across our laps…we adore them! And we are definitely making gourmet cat cake for their birthday! (Except…we aren’t quite sure when that is!)
As an owner of three dogs and a cat, I can speak on behalf of my dogs that they would have eaten this treat happily despite the fact that it is geared toward the feline persuasion! Thanks for the sweet and humorous photos.
Love, a thousand times over.
lovely!! Must remember to bake/make cat-cake to my cat Disko at his next birthday! Happy Birthday Jules!!
My kitten looks and sounds very much like yours! I got him a few months ago from two girls sitting outside a Food Lion, finding homes for a litter of kittens. He was an impulse buy! But free! I didn’t need a kitten, but I haven’t regretted adopting him for a single minute. He makes me laugh every day.
I love this! Adorable. And it makes me want to go cuddle with my cat!
As a fellow cat person, I totally understand. Sweet little kitty deserves to be pampered and loved!
Maureen
Cutest post ever!!!! Happy Birthday Jules! he really looks like my cat! :)
Your cat is so cute! I have a soft spot for ginger kitties for some reason so thank you for sharing your crazy kitty with us.
Dude! Jules (Cat) Stevens and my cat (Olive) totally have the same toy! Olive carries it around the apartment in her mouth all freaking day. That is when she’s not hiding between the shower curtain and liner.
If I knew when her birthday was I’d make her a salmon/kibble cake too!
Your kitty is adorable those polished kitties may be svelte but they can’t be having as much fun as your sweet Jules!! lol I love my kitty cats also and I am glad to see your kitty has such a great home.
I think I’m in love with you.
This birthday story is just so fun. He sounds like a handful! Very cute.
Can your kitty and my kitty (Gia Satanja Chester) become best friends? My kitty is even a transgender, so… Let’s have them become friends.
Love it!
I think your cat and my cat are long lost twin brothers. Glass of water? Check. Toilet paper (or paper towels, if they happen to be around)? Check. I guess most cats are probably into those things, though. But my cat also happens to look just like yours and is about the same age. Totally twins.
happy birthday jules!!! I love cats! :)
He’s gorgeous. I have a pair of beloved jerks, Bertie and Erich the Red Devil, so I know all about being a cat slave.
I’m more of a dog person, but your cat is adorable! Don’t feel crazy…I made a cake for my dog and his brother’s birthday party (and yes, we threw them a party – https://gingerpiece.com/2011/06/birthday-party-gone-to-the-dogs-aka-boston-tea-party/ ). I did feel a little sheepish carrying the cake down the street to the park though.
I’m not even a cat person, but Jules (Cat) Stevens has wormed his way into my heart. And it’s all because of your cute stories of his weird ways and your adorable photos of him. Happy birthday to Jules!
SO cute.
It is posts like this that draw me to your blog, time and time again, when I am supposed to be studying for exams. I love it.
You are not strange or weird, I invited neighbours over my my cat’s birthday party. How could you not love that darling little face. He is adorable and I am happy that he has a good owner and somewhere to call home.
From one cat mom to another – I love this! This documentation of transformation is very similar to the one I am living with in my own home. Plum will be celebrating his 1st birthday next month. Thanks so much for sharing you cat story!
:D Happy Birthday Jules!
Joy – I used to have a kitty that looks just like Jules and she was definitely an eccentric kitty, but then again, aren’t they all? I love kitties but my hubby doesn’t…so, we have a dog, who I also love to pieces. I also have a 3 year old who loves animals and I just read your blog post to him and I have to tell you, your kitty story would make an excellent children’s book. I did have to edit out a few words – ha ha! So, if you ever get tired of food blogging, you could have another day job! Love your blog!
Seconded :D
I totally get it Joy…Happy Cat Land Birthday Day to you both!
What a great idea! My Lionel would love that ‘cake.’ Happy Birthday to your cat. ?
our dog had its own christmas stocking and it would be filled every year with doggie treats
Joy, I am not a cat person, I like dogs. Having said that, I have just come back to read this post for a second time, because your cat is so darn awesome. I love that he is a jerk. If I was to be converted to cats, I would have to have a jerk of a cat, he looks perfect! :)
naawww….i made my cat a (fish)cake once. he looked at it, looked at me, then swanned off into the garden. xxx
Don’t feel bad about making a cat cake, I made special bird bread all the time (and it’s never even for his birthday)!
So cute!! Happy Birthday Jules, you da man!
Hilarious.
I’ve enjoyed seeing pics of Jules here and there on your blog. This is a great post and I love the idea of Cat Land! He’s super adorable. Happy birthday kitty!
those kitties! Thanks for the belly laugh, my cat is crazy and me laughing at your cat stories makes me a cat lady… serious cat lady….
AWW YOUR CAT’S SO CUTE! And trust me, I’ve seen more drastic cat ladies. Like, give-it-a-cat-palace cat ladies. Who feed their cats hand-made cat food, and weird sea-food dishes. And give it erotic clothes. And take them for walks on leashes.
You make me very happy:)
OMG! I wanna steal your birthday kitty; he is so freaking adorable! I’ve often wondered about owning a cat, but I’m just not sure. However, I do love your cat very much and I love when you add pictures of him on your blog posts. Happy Birthday Jules! <3
By the way, I don't think you are a full-blown cat-lady. As soon as you aquire around 30 cats and then you let them take over the house and you are letting them by sleeping in your car, then you are a full-blown cat lady. (There was a woman like this, but much much worse, living at the end of my granmas street.)
I sure hope my cats don’t see this post. Otherwise I will be making cat cakes too! A great story and funny pictures
I totally listened to that question and answer on your podcast last night…I know I’m a little late but better late than never right? You have a hillarious cat, I just have a crazy basset hound that sleeps AAAALLL the time! I hope he had a great birthday, did he keep his birthday hat on?
That is the cutest thing ever! You are a total cat-lady now for sure, but how can you not be with that entertaining little dude? My fuzzy one used to love playing “paper ball”… wad up a piece of paper, toss it across the floor in front of him, then sit back and watch the fun!
Girl I love it! Cat Land and a Cat Cake! My girl’s two kitties would be in kitty kitty HEAVEN! BTW one of them is an orange male short haired version of your Jules. His name is Azreal, just like the one on the Smurfs.
Honestly, I just completely love you right now. You rock.
Happy Birthday, handsome bad kitty (the best kind).
Dude. So hilarious I almost peed my pants. True story. Can’t believe I’ve never even thought about making a cake for my 2 precious kitties. Happy Birthday to your Mr. Jules!
This is awesome, I’m so gonna have to step it up for my cat’s birthday this year :) P.S. You aren’t a cat lady until you have 3, until then you are simple a furry animal lover :)
He’s beautiful! happy birthday Jules!
This is absolutely the cutest blog entry I have ever seen. I am an extreme cat lover myself, and this completely melted my heart! Happy Birthday to your furry friend, he is one lucky cat!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULES. I just love you and your Mom but then I’m a cat lady too.
I love my baby too.
Joy – you are not weird at all!
I don’t think you’re weird! We’ve been making my dogs birthday cakes out of canned dog food and dog treats for years. And we give them Christmas presents…ok so maybe I’m not a very good judge…
Oh how I adore this. Among a circle of feline-hatin’ friends, I am the sole cat-lover. I don’t get how you can dislike them. They are so fantastically charming and mysterious. And wonderful. Even when they’re attacking you in the night and gnawing your shoelaces. :] It just so happens that my kitty Toby’s birthday is in two days! He’ll be four. <3
Happy birthday Jules!
2 things! TWO!
1. CatLANNNdiaaaaaa. that’s all!
2. I bought bourbon today. cuzza you. it’s a good thing! i think… eehhh… we’ll see.
You are definitely not weird. (or maybe i’m weird too …) I’m totally stealing your idea…my cat’s 15th birthday is in a few weeks. bowls of popcorn here we come!
I actually used to wish you’d post more photos of your cat on the blog. This makes up for it :)
Happy Birthday Jules!
You are the best Cat Mommy ever!!! How sweet of you to make him his very own Cat Land and his own birthday cake!
He might be a little crazy, but he sure is one of the most handsome kitties ever!
Happy Birthday Jules!
by the way, jules is exactly what cats should look like, in my opinion. fuzzy and rumpled and orange and striped, with a bit fat cat butt. happy birthday, lion-o.
I love cats!! I’ve two female cats and she’s my sunshine.
Jules is pretty pretty, I like the photos, are very funny.
xoxo
Oh my goodness, I love you Joy. I’m totally going to make my cat a cake for her birthday now! Though, I’ll have to think about what I could use for Cat Land. I thought my cat was crazy, but I think yours wins :)
Aww, so cute! I have an orange kitten too (okay, he’s 6 now, but he still acts like a kitten) and even though I may be biased, I think orange kitties are the best. :-) Happy birthday Jules!
I can’t judge. My dog AND my cat both have their own facebook profiles. Yes…we are those people.
He’s beautiful! And I don’t think any of it is weird at all. Does that make me weird? I love the little cake!
People who love animals are awesome. That makes you awesome.
And don’t worry about being a crazy cat lady – I am allergic to cats, so I attract them (they know, the cheeky blighters) so I can take photos of them rubbing up against me.
I, however, am a crazy guinea pig lady. I have 8 girls, in a top floor flat. I make them elaborated salads.
We all have crosses to bear. Mine happens to have huge asses and wheek when they hear veggies being chopped.
crazy cat lady…. well almost…. you only have one cat. ill get worried when it’s three. :)
I love your writing style…especially when you write about cats. And I don’t even have any cats…just a dog, who think’s she’s a cat. She’s a little confused…(really, she lies on the window sill and basks in the sun, and has neighborhood cat friends). I love all your posts about food, but the cat stuff is a nice break in between. :)
What a beautiful, silly cat. I’ve always thought about doing something like this for my cat’s birthdays but haven’t….I think this is the push I needed. :) The pictures that you post of Jules always make your posts even MORE awesome than they already are. Thanks for sharing!!
I love this. And I love Jules’ beauiful orange eyes!
It’s okay – I’m not quite 30 yet and I’m a cat lady too. I’m even tempted to attach pictures of my cat to prove it – but I’ll refrain. Mostly because I don’t think I can.
Your cat is gorgeous though – those beautiful eyes are intense! I think cat birthdays are important so I’m glad you documented this one. <3
how cute !!!
I love this post! And I think it is awesome that you madeyour kitty a cat cake. I get it. I made pupcakes for my puppy’s first birthday a few weeks ago. Ain’t no shame in it.
Great article. I enjoyed reading it.
I love your recipes Joy but I REALLY love this cat land birthday!
You write like I think. This post absolutely made my (freezing, grey, why does it not feel like summer anymore?) Friday.
Okay, I’m not a cat person but this was sweet. We dress our pugling up for his birthday. He gets a birthday hat and new present every year. He’s also been known to don a bow tie on New Years Eve. Don’t underestimated the cuteness of your pet and a bow tie.
I love the cat in the camera bag pic. Kitten is a poser! :-)
Joy, this is why I read your blog every day. Literally every day – even when you don’t post anything new. I heart you and your adorable cat. Thanks for sharing.
Your photos and story made me giggle so. Love cats and their crazy personalities and how much adventure they bring into peoples lives. Happy Birthday Jules!
Jules has the same birthday as my kitty who sadly passed away three weeks ago. He would have been 10 this year. I think it is wonderful that you celebrate your little furry companion in this way. Celebrate his life, and enjoy every day with him. Cats are precious animals, and it’s wonderful to see how much you love yours.
this is my all time favorite post of yours. maybe because i love cats? maybe because your cat looks like my cat? maybe because it’s just hiliarious? who cares – it’s awesome.
We, here at the Cat Farm, commend your efforts.
You are obviously a superior kind of cat lady.
Happy birthday Jules! (I think you’d get along with my boy, Monk, quite well.)
Excellent Joy! Quel super anniversaire! Mes chats seraient jaloux s’ils savaient. Jules is so lucky to have you
Awww, I’m glad other people love their cat as much as I do. I have a “wednesdays with oscar” posting where I post his latest, cutest picture. He’s a pale sandy orange striped kitty too. Now I want to make him a birthday cake. :)
I used to have a little girl kitty named Samson who was Jules, only in gray. True story: my husband (boyfriend at the time) stopped in the rain on his way home from work at 4 in the morning to pick Samson up out of the road and take her home (see why I married him?). She was only a few weeks old, with a hole in her leg where something attacked her, with maggots living in it. He took her to the vet and got her all fixed up, and she was the cutest ball of fluff ever. Now she is just like Jules. She lives with my in-laws now because my lease doesn’t allow pets. And I take my daughter to see Grandma so I can see the kitties. ;)
this is hilarious!!! my cats would absolutely lose it over that kitty birthday cake.
I love everything about this.
So cute! You have a seriously beautiful cat.
Now I want to make my own cat a little cake. Not that I have any clue when his birthday is, other than that’s it’s some time in July.
hilarious!! i never realized how much i deprive my kitty until now… i have 6 mos to plan her birthday, thanks to you it will be super awesome. :)
I love this! I have a crazy little cat of my own (who’s now older and much more mature…aka she only swipes at your legs SOMETIMES), and I am now completely inspired to make her a little kitty birthday cake.
That punk…
Is really cute when he’s chewing on his tail! =3=
I love this post, jules is precious! I am a “cat lady” too, mines name is Stanley, but really I call him the terrorizer…his favorite game is to knock everything little thing off my dresser until I wake up and eventually give in to giving him more food…happy birthday jules!
I’m a cat lady too :) and I sent your post to my mom who is also a cat lady. I love this post. So fun and your kitten is really just begging to come live in my home with all my other kitten friends!
Joy! This is precious. I always love it when you post a Jules picture, and THIS is overwhelming. Made. My. Day.
As a cat mommy myself you made me smile. I so want to do this for my babies now. Thanks
This post is amazing. I do not like cats (shocker to many, I know), but this description of your cat makes me want to get one. I hope he had a good birthday. And, btw, Joy, you are hilarious!
favorite. post. ever. And I love food, so that should tell you something.
This is totally my favorite post EVER from your blog! I mean, I like the recipes and all…..but this is all about a cat’s birthday party!! Happy Birthday, Jules!!
I love him. I have an orange, stripey cat too except his fur is short. He is also a jerk – my fiance complained that the cat grabbed his leg and bit him. I explained, this is how he shows love (and that you’re not paying enough attention to him…). Orange kitties are the best kinds.
I don’t have a cat, Im a dog person but this made having a cat sound absolutely hilarious. I think you are a great cat mom. Thanks for the laugh.
lmao. this was awesome! the pictures are amazing.
That is so sweet. I always did that for my dog when I was a kid. Loved him so. I even let him sign birthday cards to family members by getting out the ol’ inkpad and stamping his pawprint on the card…and the floor. Cats are great but I’m allergic, so I love seeing your kitty’s antics through your beautiful photos.
Jules is fabulous and clearly has a wicked sense of humor. Love him! I can’t have a kitty because the hubster is allergic. :( Even so, I’m a pony mom, and a dog mom, and I totally get having a birthday party for your furry friends and making them an appropriate cake. They are so, so special. They need cakes. And CatLand.
This convinced that I need a cat RIGHT. NOW.
Your cat is one lucky guy. I fell in love with him through your words. I feel like a bad kitty mama now because I’ve never given my cat a party or a cake. Probably because the dog would push her out of the way and eat the cake. Keep on showing him the love, and sharing him with us!
No shame – our family cat is super old and has been sick lately, so my parents make him fresh chicken every night so he has a hot meal and feels better. That’s love – chicken dinners and kitty birthday cake <3
Oh, I had to laugh to see the earphones as a part of ‘Cat Land’. Our adorable kittie has
eaten a pair of those (Expensive from my iphone!) as well as various charger cords and important computer connection cords. *Sigh. Thanks for ‘helping’ me laugh at this!
Happy birthday! This was totally so friggin awesome!
That you did this for your cat makes me love you. All cats are friggin weird, but they certainly are interesting. I think cats make us see things in a way that our human minds would never dream of. Your kitty has a good mama.
That pic at the end? The one with Jules and a misshapen bowtie ribbon? The one where his fur is ruffled and he looks resigned and frustrated?
Love. It.
I used to have a best friend. He was a orange tabby as well. Gorgeous. His name was Sinbad. Now I have a brown tabby. She’s great, but it’s a totally different relationship. Enjoy your friend. You will never have another quite like it. It’s a beautiful thing.
I love you, just fyi.
Jules is such a beautiful cat! Those eyes! That fur! And in my world (one that consists of 4 dogs and 2 cats), celebrating a birthday with salmon cake (or a hot dog with a candle in it) is totally acceptable. Heck, it’s totally normal.
what a sweet boy! he looks just like my parker kitty! never had a party for my cat, but he does get treated like a king. Happy Birthday Jules!
I love all of this. At age 34 and the single mother of two cats, I am so very quickly approaching perpetual Cat-Lady status it’s a little scary. However, Mr Darcy spoons like no man I’ve ever dated (men can’t purr… stupid men) and Emma gives me little kitty kisses that are so endearing. That said, my boyfriend also likes the cats and is helping to rescue me from my shame. :) Happy Birthday, Jules.
Also, Emma is orange and orange cats are the best. The. Best.
This is Fabulous! What kind of kitty is Jules? He is a beauty! We have 10 cats altogether, but they live in our barn :)
I totally have the giggles after reading this post. Happy birthday Jules, you handsome little dude! :)
Oh this post gave me such a chuckle! What a beautiful kitty, for a jerk anyway.
I loved this post! The Kitty of my life was named Tommy pickles. He was the best. I had to give him away due to my boyfriend being allergic. I have to live through you and other people with cats now. Keep it coming!
love this……Jules is a spittin’ image of my old Pesto-man kitteh……RIP Peeeeesto….
When I looked at the first picture, I was like, “Is that peaches and chocolate? … No. That couldn’t be what I think it is. No way. Ohmyword, it IS.” So once I got over my initial shock, I realized that that’s super cute! Happy b-day to your housemate! :)
i’m so glad you posted pix of your cat! i was curious to see after the last podcast. i’m allergic but that’s a cute one.
My cat marmaduke (one of three!) looks just like Jules and he is also very unique! He’s currently sat on me, chilling out after a day outside probably terrorising the neighbour’s cats and prowling around like he owns the place!
I’m pretty sure he’d love a cake for his birthday, but being a bad mum I’ve never made him one, now I feel guilty-next year I’ll do better!
I love your blog and the fact that you’re also a slightly crazy cat lady too!!
Keep the fab recipes coming xxx
You are insane. You really are. you know how i know. Became you are me, or I am you, or my boys are your boy. Well you get me? We love out cats. More than it would seem probable, or possible.
Happy birthday darling kitty from me and more importantly Dexter and Jaffa!!!
ps – feet under covers RULE!
Oh my god. That cat toy… is it supposed to look like someone has cut a cat’s tail off and attached it to a stick? Jules Stevens is a sicko.
As someone who completely adores my kitty, Kody and is in total LOVE with him, this post warms my heart. I love everything about it. Especially the cake and your wet, scraggly kitty. Oh my goodness, he is the cutest.
I have hamsters. Tonight I shall create hamsterlandia. Thanks for the inspiration.
did you just say hampsterlandia!? i die.
I LOVED every word and image of this post. I have 3 cats, or they have us.
I am going to pin one the kitty’s images on my pinterest board (give you credit of course)
Happy Birthday, Jules! <3
Happy Birthday Jules and many more! I love cats and have two myself. I also have parties for them – they are most deserving as they bring great happiness (& pain) to my life!
Great Story – made my day!
Hugs,
Meow….
I’m embarrassed at how excited I was when reading this post. Truth be told, I’ve been excited about it all week. And I don’t even particularly like cats. Why is this happening to me? He looks like a Playboy model sitting in that there window. Happy birthday, Jules!
this post made my morning! i would do the same thing and I have 2 kitties…one looks like your kitty and we call him Nemo. Very cute joy. loved it!
Thinking we are kindered spirits….I shared a fabulous crabcake with my cat Mango for his birthday. He had me at meow.
This post is Hi-larious! We took in a cat a year ago – Sally O’Malley. She likes to eat the sewing pins off of my sewing creations before they’re sewn. Who does that? How can it even feel good? Does she play with cat toys? – NO. However, she brings us dead birds and mice even though she’s declawed. Weird. I suppose this is Cat Love. ;o)
This is awesome, you crack me up! All Kitties deserve a birthday cake!!
I absolutely LOVE this. I’m a cat lady too.. people always laugh at me. quite funny.
(our cats look alike!) so adorable.
Every cat deserves a birthday party. Happy kitty birthday Jules!
Cat ladies unite!!
This makes my whole, entire week! My kitty’s exactly the same: he’s a jerk, but he’s MY jerk. He’s constantly yelling. Nonstop. He’s always pissed off at outside, invisible things, the dogs, etc. When he decides he’s hungry, he gets really obnoxious and starts swatting things off shelves until we feed him, then he sniffs dismissively at the food and saunters away. He’s vindictive, argumentative, far too smart for his own good, more than a little bats**t insane…and I’m head-over-heels crazy about him. :) Happy birthday to your crazy fuzzball!
love!! lovelovelovelove!!!
ohmygoodness, this is so CUTE! your kitty is adorbs…i want him ;)
Ok, can that be any cuter? I mean, seriously. Cat Land? Awesome. Our cat thinks the whole house is Cat Land. She’s about 14 years old now but is still a mean sticker chaser. ;-)
This was an amazingly fun post to read. I remember when you talked about your cat’s upcoming birthday during one of the podcast episodes. You talked about making a cat cake, and I hoped you’d post about it. And now you have and it is awesome.
I have an orange terrorizer… He was a little you-know-what when he was a kitten. He was aweful for the first two years of his life. Attacking my feet, running everywhere with his claws out (because it gives him sooo much traction on the tile… not smart lol), making our home one big cat park where everything in it was his.
He is four now, and the best cat ever. He’s like a totally different cat. He comes down stairs if we arent in bed by 9:30 and meows at us letting us know its time for bed. Then he cuddles with my husband all night. He “protects” our house from the other kitties in the neighborhood by hissing and making a lot of noise (he’s fat, so his large stature usually helps him out haha). He is loving and wonderful. There is still hopes that Jules will stop terrorizing and love you back :)
This is hilarious. My cat Toots (really my girlfriends’ cat that was leftovers from a previous love affair) would never let me put a bow on her. She is really an obscenely mean cat to everyone, but me and my girlfriend. She attacks everyone and hisses at them. Our dogs are terrified of her. She rips up our furniture so I got soft paws. I don’t know if you have ever heard of them, but they are plastic sleeves you place over their nails. I got her red ones for football season. They are really fun to put on… not. You should have everyone put there favorite picture of their cat on here. It would make you feel a lot less CatLady-esk.
I am absolutely loving your cat! Happy birthday to him and keep posting crazy pictures of him! They make my day!
btw my cat’s name is Jules, too! Small world…
Cutest miniature tiger I’ve ever seen. And those eyes!
Our little Sgt. Pepper is going to be 2 this December (TWO!!! They grow up so fast…) and I feel you on each and every point here. We love them so hard despite their “quirks”. They’re lucky they’re so damn cute…
Our older cat, Kalypso, takes your water glass trick to a whole new level:
https://www.youtube.com/patternandpaw/#p/u/5/ey7NCrDbTak
Talented, that one!
Happy birthday, Jules!
One of the best posts ever! Happy Birthday Jules!
I love the idea of making a cat land. I’ll have to try it next year for my cat on her birthday.
Couple years ago I make a cake for our dogs and we sang and got them presents. No shame! ;D
love love love this! my cat likes all the same toys… literally, all of them.
Thank you for posting this. It reminds me of why I love cats so much. I have to tell you that you are an awesome cat mom! The cat land and yellow bow are just too adorable.
Happy Birthday Jules!
What a crazy cute post! I think he looks great in the last picture and its great that he loved “Cat Land” so much. Adorable!
I love your food posts BUT this is my favourite post ever! :)
I Love this cat post. This little kitty seems to have a thousand expressions all at the same time!
1. I am TOTALLY making my cat a birthday cake for her next birthday – it’s her sweet sixteen so she totes deserves it anyway (although in cat years I guess that makes her an old lady)
2. Has your cat discovered hairbands as toys? My cat loves those even more than earbuds.
3. The “oh how cute the kitty is dipping her paw into the water glass” stops being adorable when said water glass is on your headboard shelf, it is the middle of the night, and careless kitty knocks the glass of water over. On top of your head. While you are sleeping. Okay, that’s a lie, it totally stays adorable. But just a word of warning: never leave glasses of water on the headboard shelf.
I love boy cats, so loving and animated, they deserve cat cakes everyday!
I LOVE your cat!! You are soooo creative with Cat Land and Cat Birthday Cake — my cat is not that lucky! But…..I AM on the Crazy Cat Lady train!!
I applaud your ‘Cat Lady’-ness! It makes me happy that someone else sets up a ‘Cat Land’ for their furry pal and takes photos of it–I’m not alone! I have a 6 month old kitten that can be a bit of a jerk too… I empathize.
The furry boys in our household (Oliver and Charlie) asked me to say “HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULES!”
You are in no way a crazy cat lady! Though perhaps I am not the best judge. My cat will only drink from a glass of water, so he has his own on the bathroom counter that remains filled for his drinking pleasure. My monster also loves to be carried around. So I figured the coolest trick I could teach him would be to leap in my arms when I pat my chest. He loves this game. …much to the consternation of all our visitors whenever he appears to be leaping for their throats whenever HE wants their attention. ah well, best intentions. Love the blog!
Joy — this post made my day. For serious. I am in love with that cat cake, and Cat Land. And can I tell you something? I went out and adopted a cat after you got Jules, because he was so adorable and I wanted a furry friend just like him (is that weird? I hope not.). And now I have one; his name is Percy. And he, too, will love a cat cake and Cat Land for his birthday.
This is amazing. Thank you for being a crazy cat lady for all our entertainment’s sake ;)
Oh my! I love this post! It gives a tiny peek into your life. That cat is too cute! I had a jerk of a cat like him once… He hated everyone in the household but me. Jules reminds me of him all the way down to his eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Oh Joy you are soooo awesome I have 2 cats that I love dearly too I loved, loved this blog post as well as all your blog posties keep up the good work. You Rock.
I am a fellow cat lady, and I also cohabitate with a furry jerk monster.
Loved this!
Oh man gosh…this just made my day! That second picture is the funniest freaking thing I’ve seen in a while. I love the stiff arm tap cats do! Tap, tap, tap!
This is awesome! Thanks crazy cat lady!
OMG, Jules eating his tail is the cutest. Following the yelling pictures, I thought he was covering his mouth. Happy birthday, kitty! :)
He’s adorable – Happy Birthday, Jules! I have no idea when any of my FOUR cat’s bdays are. They’re all strays that someone brought to us and said, Hey you like cats. HERE. Sucka. But they’re awesome. And they’re jerks. They can’t help it. I’ll gladly sit next to you on the Crazy Cat Lady train. All ABOARD!
1. Happy Birthday to Jules!
2. Lucky kitteh.
3. I love that you did this for your kitty… way too cute.
4. I also love that you blogged about this for all the world to see.
I love this post!! Jules is super cute. One of our cats is a jerk too – she is super mean to any guests that come to the house! Um, embarrassing. Instead of running away from them she comes right up to them looking adorable, but if they try to touch her (which they always do) she lashes out violently! But when it’s just me and my hubs at home she is nothing but cuddles and love. Wierd.
LOVE ALL OF THIS! Too Cute!!! Happy Birthday Jules!
Oh, my!! What an adorable post! I’ve had the pleasure of having to orange cats like your Jules in my lifetime. They are the best! I love the fact that you gave him free reign to play with the things that probably get taken away from him most of the time. Best cat mom in the whole weird world!
Joy, you have my full support for making a cake for your cat! We always did something special for our cats on their birthdays, and I always will when I have a kitty again. I’m really looking forward to that day. I’ve even picked out a name for him already, and I haven’t met him yet. It’s like that Michael Buble song. Except with a cat.
I’m also somewhat obsessive about cats. I might save some of your photos of Jules just to make myself smile. Kitties touch a place close to God’s love in my heart.
He’s the sweetest cat in the world! I love love cats. They pretend they don’t need you, but the truth is they can be really good companions, buuuut this is if they like you, if not you can fade they won’t even notice it haha. At least they are honest guys.
Happy Birthday Jules! xo :)
I can’t tell you how much I love this…mostly because I am just as crazy about my cat and feel better knowing I’m not the only one.
He’s so handsome…happy kitty birthday!
Anyone who has the creative genius to come up with Cat Land(ia) is awesome in my book.
I always wanted an orange kitten. And I would name him Cheddar Bean. Sadly, my husband is allergic and got in the way of my orange-cat-lady-plans.
He’s beautiful! Don’t worry. You’re not nutty… just in love.
Ooooooooooooooh my werd I love this post so much! Kitty life-recap slideshow! Salmon birthday cake! Cat land!! Adorbs yellow bow!!! And don’t worry, you aren’t the only one who embraces her inner (outer?) crazy cat lady. I obsess over my cat waaaay too much as well.
How could you not love a cat who likes to sit on burlap. lol.
Love it! I have a 9 yr old, Simon, and we just moved into a new place. He has adjusted pretty well, except when I walk the dog – he cries the whole time the dog is gone (not me, the dog…it’s the dog that he adores). So, last night we all three went for our walk and Simon stalked us from the bushes the entire way, occasionally running out to swat at the dog…that’s how he shows his love.
I love the range of pictures of the cat. From the adorable to the awkward to the frightening.
Cute post for a Friday morning. :)
Happy Birthday Jules!
Great post! I am allergic to cats and not a huge fan, but your little one sounds and looks like a cat I could get down with. Although my two giant dogs may beg to differ. Happy Birthday Jules! BYW: Love his name!
Have a great weekend.
Aaawww he looks terrifyingly adorable, the little trickster! He is one very loved cat, don’t let the snide sneer on his face fool you. Way to go, cat-mom! Happy birthday Jules! (Oh, BTW *nothing* weird about this at all. I’ve spent all week trying to figure out how I can set it up so I can skype my dog, who can’t live with me because of size/breed restrictions.)
I have an australian shepherd that might be the long lost cousin of this cat (wait, is that possible?). Such a good start to my Friday morning…your cat is HILARIOUS!
What a handsome boy! My cat is also orange, stripey, and super fluffed out, and for the first 5 years of his life, he was very fierce. My parents are still scared of him. He’s mellowed out a lot in his elder days.
My kittehs say happy birthday to Jules! My cats are equally weird but, it sounds like, far more lazy. And rotund. But definitely just as weird.
I salute you and your Cat Ladiness, Joy! You’re in good company :)
Just had my feet attacked during the night by one of my cats. It’s annoying, it’s maddening, but somehow I’m still kinda smiling while it’s happening…..
aw, Happy Birthday Jules :)
love the photo in the camera bag
This is a riot! I love it and thank you for sharing with so many cute photos! Cat Land totally cracks me up. Anyway, H.B. Jules. You’ve got a pretty sweet life.
You should try giving him a few sheets of tissue paper with some little surprises hidden between the layers. My cat would go WILD shredding, chasing her tail, playing for HOURS. And, bonus to the cat parent, totally hilarious.
Also, don’t sweat it. There are much worse things than being a cat lady. Besides, you can’t be a cat lady with only one cat. You need a herd before you are a cat lady.
speaking of crazy cats… did you hear about this?
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/nyregion/willow-lost-cat-from-colorado-resurfaces-in-manhattan.html?_r=1
I love you so much. Are you freaked out now? Well, I’m harmless. I just happen to love your blog already, and then you throw out a post like this one, and now you’ve totally got me. Hilarious. I have three jerk cats. They’re are all ridiculous and would love such a birthday. I’m so not showing them this post.
Happy Birthday Jules!
Happy Birthday Jules! I love your birthday post and I don’t think you’re crazy. I could read a Jules post at least once a month, so keep me updated, OK? All of those pictures are fantastic!
LOVE it. He is SO cute! You’re fantastic. :)
Don’t worry. I can’t ever brush Faraday’s hair or get bows to stay on for pictures, either. Exhibit A:
https://physikerinknits.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-birthday-faraday-and-welcome.html
I am most definitely a cat lady. Be proud of your title!!! :) My husband tells my kids that when I’m an old widow, it will probably be just me and my “100” cats. Ahhh…could be true!! LOL
Great. Now all of my cats are jealous and plotting their revenge against me for not being as good a Cat Mom as you. Thanks. :P
Ps. I’ve always wanted an orange cat (too much Garfield as a child?). We have nine cats. Can you believe that? Nine indoor cats (and a dog and three boy children). Somehow I never managed to come home from the shelter with a lovely orange boy.
You’re awesome, Joy. Never ever feel bad about being a crazy cat lady. Ever. The kitties you’re crazy about love you to pieces for it (even if they are giant jerks). And as long as you’re not wearing those wool sweaters with the kittens and balls of yarn on them, then everyone else will love you for it too (even if they think you’re weird).
Happy 1st Birthday Jules, from Jack & Jill & Squeak.
He’s FABULOUS!!!
Best post ever! Had me laughing like an idiot all by myself at gate B4. Happy Birthday Jules! (you jerk-cat!)
I have my own little orange fluff..sitting on my desk AT THIS MOMENT trying to paw my fingers while I type. From my Ed Hardy to your Jules (Cat) Stevens…Happy Birthday!!
Man, this is fabulous. My cat jumped on the bed just to check out the post as well. I think Jules and him are kindred spirits (I type this as he’s attacking my computer power adapter. Thanks, bro). Thanks for a good chuckle to start out the Friday!
Happy Birthday Jules! My cat Molly’s birthday is coming up next month! I’ll need to follow some of your ideas to make it an extra special day. What’s up with kitty’s and headphones?
Okay, I am LOVING this post. That cat is hilarious! I love that you created Cat Land for him and made him a cake. Love it. He is one lucky little fur-dude!
I have a cat. She’s called Luvi. She sometimes tastes her tail too. She prefers croissants. She often sleeps on newspapers. She hates bad news. She loves to be patted only late at night. During the day she hunts birds, rarely catching anything. She told me to say Happy Birthday to Jules.
So, Happy Birthday Jules!
Awesome!! Your cat looks so much like one of mine :) And yes, they’re weird too (apparently one’s favorite toy is the corner of my area rug. Yeah.). I love the post, it is just so adorable!!
Love your cat story and I think its ok to spoil your cat. I have two monsters ooops I mean cats, that rule my house and life.
Aaaawwww what a cute little moster! I also had a ginger cat and he used to sit next to me on the rim of the bath and put his paws in the water. Maybe ginger cats have an afinity for water?
This is too funny! I do not have cats, but I have 2 dogs… and boy can they be some jerky pets! But we love them, and that’s that. Happy Birthday to your cat!
Holy cow, I love this post! :) ….Cat land & a birthday bow!
Awwwww, you are the best mom in the whole wide world!
Jules is so fluffy!!! I love it.
I love the cake too!
Happy Birthday Jules!!!
What a lucky kitty to have a mom like you joy! Think I’ll have to throw my little fella a belated birthday when I get home from work this evening!
Oh and Joy, try having a cat that was raised from the age of 4 weeks by me and my crazy dog, what do you get – a crazy cat dog! He’s hilariously entertaining! Animals are the best companions anyone could ever have!!!
Awww gorgeous. he looks like he had a fabulous birthday! and cat cake looks like it went down well! :) hoorah for Jules turning 1!
Happy Bday to your little darling :)
And these pics are fabulous!!! The way the light is hitting his eyes, his fur, the expressions….amazing photography, Joy!
Makes me want to have a cat again!
Aw, happy bday to Jules. I’m not a cat person but he is pretty cute!
I absolutely LOVE this post!
We got our first kitten 8 weeks ago and now I understand how much fun cats can be.
Hey Joy,
When I saw the first picture and the title, I thought: “oh no, another cat lady obsessed with her pet!”. I went too fast on that one. The sequence of great pictures and text entertained me. It gave me a glimpse into your life, into how a cat can be a joy, a company, an inspiration, a companion. Lovely little story! Sweet and personal. You really pulled it off! Merci!
So furrily cute! Happy Birthday Jules. You got a great momma :)
Aww! DOn’t think you’re mad at all! I made my dog a birthday cake! I have 3 cats as welll and love them to bits. Your kitty is adorable x
I love your cat cake! I’m totally going to make one for my cat when his birthday comes around in April. My cat yells a lot too.
Happy Birthday to your kitty!
As a fellow cat lady, I applaud this post. Happy birthday Jules! I have a fluffy orange beast of a cat as well! https://tinypic.com/r/292brsg/7
We wholeheartedly respect you. In fact, I think it’s weirder NOT to celebrate your cat’s birthday. We got a Pork rib for our last birthday! https://www.freyacat.co.uk/2010/10/birthday-meal-film-rack-of-ribs.html
But your Salmon cake looks lovely too!
I bet he had the best cat birthday ever and all his friends are going to be super jealous.
Okay, that was pretty great. Happy birthday little monster! :)
Uuuuuhuuuh – Salmon, fancy…
Oh so great. My kitten, Rose Tyler, has many similar past times to Jules. (she’s currently sleeping in my lap, being supes adorable.) She will get a birthday cake when she turns one. Maybe even a half birthday. :)
Happy Birthday Jules, you don’t know me, but I think you’re very handsome. :)
I hope that there are many more cat birthdays in your future. They are beautiful and sacred things.
Happy Birthday to a Beauty! That was a cool birthday cake your ‘Mom’ fixed up for you. Pretty darn sure our next cat will be an Orange Striped Tabby. Love you, Jules.
Do you hug him when you sleep, Joy? He’s so fluffy!!!
Happy birthday Jules :D! My cat had his first birthday two weeks, and I made him a tuna cake and made him wear a bow (for like 2 minutes while I tried, unsuccessfully, to take a picture of him where he does not look either grumpy or insane :P)
Jules is adorable! And the birthday cake is entirely appropriate and wonderful.
This is really adorable!!! I’m planning to make my dog some carrot cupcake to since it’s her birthday month :D
Love you both!!!
Big Kitty! But he’s got the most amazing hazel eyes. No matter how many cats I’ve seen or had the privilegde of sharing my life with, their eyes were always unique.
This is my favorite post ever. Thank you.
This post had me laughing out loud at several moments! I loved the photos of him “yelling,” your “gourmet” birthday cake, and the fact that you gave him the greatest birthday gift of all: his version of heaven on earth. If I created “Dog Land” for my pup, it would have to include things too gross for me to indulge him with (kleenex sourced from the bathroom trash can, sprinkler heads from the backyard, etc). You have proven yourself to be the best cat mom ever!
I agree with Maia! This post had me giggling! And yes, “Dog Land” would be totally gross!
Happy Birthday Jules!
Your life with him sounds similar to mine with my two – I am uber impressed you got the bow on him! Mine would have that off in seconds.
He’s adorable! And that foot attacking game sounds familiar….. Oh, that’s right, my little boy is a fan of that game too. Not so much now though as he’s 16 so now seems to prefer cuddles over playing.
Joy, you crack me up!! No shame in being a cat-lady. You’re a very cool one!
so cute!!!!