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Ten Things I Have Learned From My Cat

November 21, 2014 by Joy the Baker 68 Comments

10 Things I Learned From My Cat

[H]ave you met my cat-animal named TRON?  The cat previously known as Jules Cat Stevens (an entirely unfitting name for this beast of an animal)? TRON is the fluffy, hungry, lazy, crazy creature I let live in my house.  Not only do I let him live with me, but I feed him, well and plentifully.  He’s part wolverine, part shark, and cat so he deserves the best (and a lot of it), so I was thrilled when the folks at Beyond Natural Cat Food approached me about working together on a series celebrating my cat!  Just let it happen… In the coming weeks I’m even designing the perfect CatLady Gift Set (yessss), as well as tips on how to keep your cat healthy and happy.

Over our four short years together, I’ve gotten to know this TRONCAT very well.  He has taught me a handful of lessons about naps, balance, patience, judgement, and good food.

If you have a cat (or pet shark) of your own I’m sure you can relate to one, if not all of the following lessons and nuggets of life advice from TRONCAT.

Thank you in advance for letting my inner CatLady shine.

1.  Every time is nap time.  That means when the little hand on a clock is on any number, and the big hand on a clock is also on any number… you should probably nap.  Go on and get it.  Rest is important.

2.  You’ve seen your human (that girl who feeds you) MEOW the lyrics to songs.  Meowing is universal and especially effective at dinnertime.

3.  Here’s why a hiss is effective.  It’s understated and reveals fangs.  No need to be loud or over the top.  Keep calm but show everyone you’re serious. Also… you have claws for backup, but generally an understated hiss will get your point across.

4.  Most people are the worst people.  Unless, of course, they’re wearing black pants for you to rub your orange fur against… or unless they’re the person that feeds you delicious food.

5.  Scratch the people you love LESS than you scratch the people you don’t like… like, a lot less.  Also consider throwing your loved ones the occasional cuddle but always end the cuddle with a scratch across the knee.  Be nice, but not too nice.

6.  Run away from home exactly ONCE.  Always come home.  Remember, you don’t have to chase the food that falls in your bowl indoors.  Your human places it there because she makes good choices and let’s face it… napping takes priority over chasing food outdoors.

TronCat

photo by Hannah McSwain

7.  If people are eating it, it’s probably delicious and you should go ahead and help yourself… or at least try to.  Most delicious among the food that humans eat in front of you:  salmon, chicken, eggs, sweet potatoes (all actual ingredients in  Beyond Natural Cat Food), and occasionally ALL of the pudding.

8.  Always let people think they can rub your belly.  Put it out there.  Play vulnerable and available.  Maybe even tolerate a belly rub for approximately 2.6 seconds after which, attack at will.  No one gets the belly.

9.  You’re allowed to sit in your chair (aka throne) and judge everything that passes by.  Mostly what passes by is your lady-human with butter and her camera.  She’s ridiculous.  Judge her at will… until she feeds you.

10.  Landing on your feet is both instinct and practice.  Stay sharp, stay hungry.

If you have a cat you know how special (and sometimes terrifying) that relationship can be.  They’re sometimes snuggly, sometimes wall-climbing companions that work their way into your heart despite their sharp claws.

This post is brought to us by Beyond Natural Cat Food.  No corn, wheat, soy, gnarly by-products, or artificial colors or preservatives. Just the real food I give to TRONCAT to keep him extra sassy, nappy, and wise.  To try it yourself, click here!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maristella

    November 22, 2014 at 4:40 am

    True! And your cat is so cute!

    Reply
  2. cheyenne

    November 22, 2014 at 12:29 am

    purrrfect post – cats can be the best teachers. ;)
    xo, cheyenne

    Reply
  3. Natasha

    November 21, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Hi Joy, it was nice to see that other folks who are so much into felines as i am..your tron is such a cute fur ball…even i had a ginger orange cat who would just sit on the sofa and then give a look that says “don’t even think of making me get up from here” lolzzz..and when cupcakes used to be in the room and people eating..then god save the person who it will climb on to get to it with lots of meows… :)

    Reply
  4. Maria's Cul-De-Sac Kitchen

    November 21, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    I live with a wonderful red tabby boy rescue that absolutely knows he owns me! And is just like TRONCAT, always trying to sneak things off the table! Hmmmm … could they be related?

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      November 26, 2014 at 12:33 pm

      I think they might be!

      Reply
  5. Ella

    November 21, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    Literally the best sponsored post I have ever had the pleasure/amusement of reading. Letting it happen.
    https://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

    Reply
  6. Emily D.

    November 21, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    Number 8 is so real.

    Reply
  7. Sue Ann

    November 21, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    Thank you Joy for sharing Tron with us!! He is adorable!!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      November 26, 2014 at 12:21 pm

      He’s a monster…but an adorable monster, so it’s all good.

      Reply
  8. julia

    November 21, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    As cute as your cat photos are, it saddens me to see a sponsored post on here, Joy. Let your own originality shine without others telling you what to say!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      November 26, 2014 at 12:22 pm

      TronCat actually loves Beyond Natural Cat Food, so in a way I guess it’s Tron telling me what to say. Hey, I just feed him!

      Reply
  9. Vicki

    November 21, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Cats Rule!

    Reply
  10. Marriah

    November 21, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    I don’t have a cat (my family are dog people) but I absolutely loved this! Kind of makes me want my own terrifying beast!

    Reply
  11. Abi

    November 21, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    This is hilarious I love it! So true though haha, I love cats! Abi :)
    MyW0rldMyView

    Reply
  12. K

    November 21, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    We got our first KITTEN a few months ago. I say that b/c we had the world’s best cat for 11 years, but he was an adult when we inherited him. So, we chose our kitten b/c he didn’t go all windmill-claws on our 3 boys when we met him in the tiny adoption closet. Our two year old immediately loved him and decided it was totally normal to carry him in a choke hold and ride his plasma car with him . . . b/c cats like that. Anyway, he’s exceptionally tolerant of the three kids and cute and sweet all day, but turns into a vampire-ninja at night! Only with the adults, and mostly with me b/c he loves me the most. What? He likes to come cuddle my head and snuffle it and then ATTACK. I’ve been wondering why it is that I still love this cat b/c he’s a freak, but it sounds like he’s just a totally normal cat. . . . He even goes under the covers to snuggle and it’s fairly terrifying . . .

    Reply
  13. Diana

    November 21, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    This was adorable. What a cat.

    xo
    Diana
    https://unusuallylovely.com

    Reply
  14. lizytishknits

    November 21, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    This list makes me miss my cat! All points are right on the money. So funny!

    Reply
  15. Big Sis Little Dish

    November 21, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    It is comforting to know that someone as cool, cute and together as you is a cat lady.

    Reply
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