Dear Kitten,
It’s time to celebrate two years together.
Two years of purring and tenderness. Two years of crying for food at five in the morning. Two years of sleeping in what you know is my spot on the couch. Two years of lint rolling all of my clothes. Two years of also keeping a lint roller in my car.
Two years of tricking my friends with your cuteness and leg rubs. Two years of attacking my shins. Two years of belly rubs turned forearm attacks. Two years of trying to get outside. Two years of climbing the walls… literally. Two years of sneaking into my food shots.
Two years of sitting in and on everything I need. Two years of sleeping at the foot of my bed… and attacking my feet at the slightest sign of movement. Two years of keeping me company. Two years of scaring my catsitters. Two years of making me laugh. Two years of making my boyfriends run screaming. Two years of eating exactly everything I make… including that pancake you snuck off the pan while I was photographing.
Two years of trying to convince me that you don’t love me… when I know you do… because I love you back. And I made you treats so quit your yappin’, and no you can’t go outside.
xo.
ps. We’ll always have Cat Land.
I made cat treats. Admittedly this is slightly ridiculous.
Yes, I realize that I can easily pop into any grocery and buy the kitten a package of treats without making my house smell like weird, warm, wet cat food.
Aaahhh, the things we do for love: make cat treats.
Aaahhh, the things we do because we’re ridiculous: watch the entire season of Bachelor Pad 3 with rapt attention. (Cry for help!)
I let the little guy (he’s totally not little, but he hates when I call him big-boned) get some sniffs and licks in. Happy Birthday, Kitten. I’m teaching you bad habits.
He was so sweet and tender as a youth.
I always knew he’d grow into his nose.
I didn’t know that he’d lose all sense of decency.
Can you teach a cat manners? Seriously.
I let him lick the cat treat dough bowl . Just this once… and just to see if he’d like it.
He did… but he would have licked the bowl if it had mushrooms and onions in it too. He’s a go-getter.
Note: Cats aren’t supposed to eat onions (or garlic). I know this. Don’t yell at me cat evangelists.
He used to sleep in bowls of the punch variety.
I always thought it was cute.
And then he got really big.
… which kinda makes me feel like I let a bengal tiger live in my house. (Unwise).
Kitten knows that this is my spot on the couch. He knows darn well…
(He doesn’t care.)
He really likes when the mail lady comes. If he could bark, I’m sure he would.
Your cat sleeps like this too, right?
Tell me this is normal.
All things considered (and I have considered all things), he’s a good helper… or at least consistent, and fluffy.
He let me get him a humiliating haircut… because he has the self-confidence to rock it.
Extreme closeup involving tiny tiny teeth.
It’s because of the tiny teeth, the shaved belly, and the constant companionship that I made these chewy cat treats.
I need to be clear. My cat eats absolutely everything. If I roasted an eggplant, this kitten would be all over it. He sneaks onto the counter to steal waffles, red peppers, and scallions. I have to keep the avocados away from him . For this reason… it’s hard for me to say with full certainty that these are the cat treats for your cat. Is your cat a normal finicky cat? Yea… it’s hard to say how these might go down. You might consider the addition of such treats as catnip or extra wet cat food in the dough. Cats have a very protein-centric diet. These treats are just meant to be a small addition to their diet, and not meant to replace their normal diets in any way. Cool?
Happy Birthday, Kitten!
Chewy Cat Treats for Cats
makes about 50 small treats
1 large egg
1 4-oz jar chicken and brown rice baby food (or something meaty which may include canned wet cat food)
1/4 cup parsley, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons water
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup cooked white (or brown) rice
other things you might add other treats like : 1 tablespoon of catnip or a hearty tablespoon of extra wet cat food.
Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, baby food (or wet cat food), parsley, olive oil, and water. Add brown rice flour and cooked rice. Stir to incorporate. The mixture will be thick but spreadable.
Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet creating a rectangle that is about 1/3 of an inch thick. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then slice soft dough into bite-sized pieces. Return pieces to the oven to bake for another 8 minutes. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. I store my treats in the fridge just to be safe.
Abby@ Totes Delish Blog
JtB you read my mind!! I was JUST thinking about the possibilities of making cat treats, dogs get them, why not cats too?! My own furry monster will be maj happy to take part in these!
Alyx
I feel like I just read a page out of my own life. I thought my cats were the only ones who jumped up on the kitchen. counter to devour frozen peas and eggshells before I turn back around. It’s good to know I’m not alone!
Mary
my cat also has no manners and sleeps with all her lady parts in plain view.
“I feel like an emotional banana sandwich” – Bachelor Pad 3 was totally worth it just for that one line in the finale! No shame, no judgement.
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
oh joy, you are so cute! and you have a very lucky kitty.
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi)
Admittedly, I will never make these for my cat. But that isn’t to say I don’t think this post (and your cat) are the cutest thing ever. I mean, the guy sleeps in punch bowls. I would like to borrow him. He also looks just like my cat Stella who also pretends to hate me when I know she doesn’t.
Ashley
Love, love, love! Your kitten is fantastic and I completely love your relationship. My boyfriend’s cat–who has (non-opposable) thumbs, thank you–tries to convince me that she hates me, but she also has moments where she seems to love me too. And I swear she gives me looks when she sits with him that say “back off, he’s all mine”. So I completely understand what you’re talking about. Kitties with attitude.
The way you write about your kitten makes me love him too.
MaryBeth
This post made me laugh then cry a little for missing my fluffy ball of a cat Cuddles, I love the unexpected sweetness that can come from these furry souls when you need it the most. Congrats on what looks like an awesome 2 years! Here’s to many more to come! :)
Tracy
um this is adorable and I totally loved looking at all your pictures!! the things we do for our animals…! Happy Birthday Kitten!
Kate
I call my cat big-boned as well. Mine didn’t take a shave haircut with nearly as much grace as yours. Very sweet, Joy, very sweet indeed.
Laurie
Love this post, Jules and you. I have two cats, one is exactly like Jules. He loves to stretch out on me when I sit down anywhere. My son says my kitty and I have a very strange relationship. I love it. Happy Birthday, Jules!
Morgan
Joy – love the post! Have you ever watched the Simon Cat videos? As a cat lover they are sure to hit a cord with you. This one is my favorite, I can’t stop laughing every time I see it!
https://www.simonscat.com/Films/Cat-Man-Do/
Thanks for sharing the kitty treats, I may just have to make a batch for my 17-year-old-man kitty.
Elendae
Such a beautiful boy! I had to give one of mine the same haircut. She wasn’t thrilled about it, but some extra cuddles and treats soothed her. As soon as I recover from surgery and can bake again, I’m totally making these for my two fluff-monsters. :)
Geez Louise!
this was so precious… made me want to get a cat, but Mr. Waffles and Flapjack (doodle dogs) wouldn’t have it… My dogs eat everything too!
mariah
I’m not a cat person. But I love your cat. He reminds me of my dog… who acts kind of like a cat…
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
So cute, these pics made me laugh! Must try these treats for my own kitty.