Cats - love 'em or hate 'em

If you don't like cats, please stop reading and move along with your web-surfing right now.  If you do like cats, sit back, relax, and enjoy the prose.  

As most all of you know, we brought home a teeny-weeny kitten a year and some months ago.  I tried my best to be distant since I know my weakness for animals.  I tried to make him the MYP's cat.  I tried to think about him strictly as a rodent killer.  I tried to not look at his beautiful fur and his spunky kitten-like ways. 

But then he crawled up on my lap about day 2.  He snuggled in - all 3 lbs of him and settled down for a purr-roaring nap.  Be still the puddle of my heart.  I was completely and thoroughly smitten with the kitten.  And I wasn't ashamed to admit it.  

Fast forward now one year and some months.  Our little tiger tom has grown to a near 12 lbs.  He's learned the house rules of only one chair for him and absolutely never-ever get on counters or tables.  He's still a rodent (and bird) killer.  He still loves the night air and a good hunt.  But each and every morning he appears at our patio door and is ready to come in.  He immediately hops up on my lap.  Purrs til he can purr no more.  Sits down to clean his entire fur coat at least twice.  Then settles down for a nap.  

Lather.  Rinse.  Repeat.  Or in this case.  Hunt.  Love.  Sleep.  

I took a few pictures of the morning routine today:

wishing he could get the dog bed...

  

well ok, maybe this will do...

YAWN!

very very sleepy

good night... or in his case day.

And so why am I writing about our silly cat?  I love to read Pioneer Woman.  I love the witty way she uses words.  And I love that she's not ashamed to write about Charlie or Walter or her two beloved kitties.  She wrote the following about cats and I enjoyed it immensely.  If you haven't liked cats before, maybe you haven't been around a good cat.  

Did you know there’s nothing on earth that’s better than a good cat?

If you think you dislike cats, let me ask you something. Have you ever had a cat crawl on your lap and gently knead his paws on your legs?

Have you ever seen a cat lie down in your path and roll over onto his back with his eyes partially closed as if to say, “I really like you and I’d like you to acknowledge me.”

Have you ever fallen asleep to the sound of a cat purring, only to wake up 30 minutes later with a sofa mark on your face?

Anyone who hates cats hasn’t been around a good cat.

A good cat is good for the health.

A good cat is good for the soul.

A good cat, interestingly, gives you hope in humanity.

This has been a public service announcement.