Living with my cat Marley is a wonderful experience.

Marley is a sweet friendly cat who loves everyone.

0He is a snuggle bug who loves belly rubs.

He also likes paw massages.

Marley loves to go for walks in his pet stroller.

Marley likes to hide under the covers

when he is not sprawled out on top, dreaming away.

He also has a fuzzy bed that he loves to curl up in.

He loves to play. I play either Marley with a wand toy.

Marley also loves cat springs. He has a basket full. I throw them across the living room for him to chase. Sometimes he catches them midair in his mouth.

Marley loves his cat trees. He watches the birds and squirrels from there.

Marley is a box kitty. He has cardboard boxes that he plays in.

I made him a kitty cottage with a big box. I cut out a door and some windows. Added a blanket and Marley had another spot to sleep.

Having Marley is the best experience. Cats can be such good companions.

They also add laughter and fun.

And more love than you can ever imagine.

Have you ever met a toddler with a severe attitude problem?

You know those parents who look frazzled in a supermarket? The ones trying to keep it together, who look like they’ve died a little on the inside & have truly lost the will to live, as they stand patiently waiting whilst their toddler from hell has the worlds biggest tantrum in the middle of the supermarket because they wouldn’t let them eat the washing tablets and is now in the process of a full on snot, tears and carnage rampage that would impress even Godzilla?

Yeah. It’s like that.

Only with more shedding, shit, vomit and dead things.

Never in all my life did I imagine having to apologise to everyone from the neighbours, other road users, pedestrians, people in the vets waiting room & the entirety of the vets staff within a half an hour time window.

See MY child was of the cat variety.

And he was a dick.

Newton, is what we cat lovers, think of as a problem child.

Parents with children who have behavioural issues worry about having visitors around incase their child decides to yank their pants down infront of visitors and start touching themselves inappropriately.

When you have an asshole cat, this is pretty much a given that at some point your visitors are going to be exposed to something equally as disturbing which everyone in the room will awkwardly & politely pretend isn’t happening.
You become a master of gas-lighting. You learn to act like there is nothing wrong at all, whilst your cat is acting out, mere feet from you.

Life with Newton was a always a surprise.

He would often find a way to one-up his previous antics.

Whether it be by vomiting on someone or their belongings, dragging something that’s screaming & fighting for its life in to the house & releasing it whilst we are trying to be adults and eat a civilised meal with other adults, or spraying up someone’s bag infront of them. Or biting them for no apparent reason other than because he decided to.
Or maybe deciding to shit on their flower bed, 6 foot from their front door right as I’m standing at said front door collecting a parcel, whilst desperately wishing the ground would open up, as he starts with a bout of explosive diarrhoea and spraying their award winning roses with liquid fertiliser.

Neighbour: “You DO know that the Local Village Garden in Bloom Competition starts this week and I am in the top running, don’t you!!!! Your cat is decimating my expensive Roses!!!!”

Me: “I did NOT know that. I am so sorry - here let me go get the hose pipe and clear that up for you! I am so sorry about this - he is usually so well behaved!!!!”

Newton wasn’t embarrassed by his behaviour however. In turn, I would be embarrassed for both of us.

People who hadn’t met him thought he was beautiful. Those who had thought he was a colossal fucking jerk.

I loved him despite his flaws as he had his moments when we were alone that he would be very loving towards me and make me wonder why he had to be such a twat and ruin it.

We had our love. He could be really nice and happy. Usually when he wanted some thing. Like food. He would be all affectionate and soft and caring.
I cherished these moments because I knew that it could all be shattered in an instant with that cat.

It was like living with someone with Dissociative identity disorder. He could be a complete asshole and then seconds later it was like it never happened, whilst I’m a nervous wreck.

If I had a glass of milk, you could guarantee that prick would come slinking up, all purry and affectionate, then try to wrestle the glass out of my hand.
Or when I’m trying to eat something and he decides actually, he now thinks he likes cauliflower. He doesn’t like cauliflower, however he has forgotten he doesn’t like cauliflower so is going to fight me for it until either I give in or he gets it off my plate.
And as predicted - Newton doesn’t like cauliflower, but he’s going to make sure he’s managed to ruin my dinner in the process of double checking that he doesn’t really like it and I’m not just trying to keep it for myself.

If you’ve ever had a dog then you are probably used to being engrossed in something, whilst you are sitting and the dog brings you a toy and drops it in your lap.
When you have a cat and it brings you something you’d better pray it’s already dead.
He would bring me things which I can only assume was his way of telling me that despite his asshole behaviour, he loved me really.

And I too prayed that when he did so, it would be dead. Not because I like dead things, but it makes it easier to deal with.
Dead mice stay pretty much where you leave them and apart from being a terrifying experience standing on one in the dark when you are half asleep and in need of the loo, there’s a fear worse than that and it’s that you might be being robbed.

There was more than one occasion when I would awake to the sounds of things breaking and being knocked over, convinced that some drunk has broken into the house and is currently fixing himself something to eat in the process.

And it was always much worse.

I think I would rather deal with a drunk than a half-dead yet still fighting for its life wood pigeon. Those things are fucking dumb as a post when fully compos mentis, let alone switching the kitchen light on to find one flying around the kitchen in a state of panic, smacking into everything, knocking everything over and bleeding everywhere, meanwhile the perpetrator in this situation (Newton) is sitting under the table looking amused. And now I’ve just opened the kitchen door the fucking thing is loose in the house at 4:30am.

Because why the fuck wouldn’t it be.

I never could work out how that fat fuck could manage to heave his ass though the cat flap, which by the way, he could barely squeeze his bulk through without a wood pigeon in his mouth, with, er, a fighting wood pigeon in his mouth.

I’m assuming he didn’t do a Jeffrey Dahmer & invite it in first for tea and biscuits & then decide to rip it’s chest cavity open for shits and giggles.

Or how about attacking me in my sleep just because I turned over and disturbed him.

Or waiting until I’m navigating the staircase with my arms full of laundry & he decides to go careering down the stairs through my legs for no reason other than he’s a fucking jerk and promply tripping me in the process. I swear it was like living with an asshole furry ninja that’s trying to kill me.

If ever you’ve watched Simon’s cat, cat man do - that was what it was like when I was trying to sleep and he decided he was hungry. Only he was always hungry.

Simon's Cat in 'Cat Man Do' - video dailymotion

That cat was like a fucking hobbit. 7 meals a day minimum just to stop him wasting away. He was raised on take aways before I got him as he lived above a pub in the centre of town. He was surrounded by food venues and drunken, clumsy idiots.

He quickly learnt how to obtain food from people and the rest was history. Trying to appeal to their soft kitty-loving side didn’t always work on someone who was so shit faced they couldn’t even focus on their feet, so he learnt other tactics.

Whether by terrifying the living shit out of them by warbling some ungodly noise from the darkness at 2:45am or dropping on them from a great height. Either way, he won the food and his victims would often need plasters and counselling.

Btw if you’ve never heard a cat warbling from somewhere behind you, from the cover of darkness at 2:45am then you are indeed lucky.

He did it to me and it terrified me.

I knew what was making that noise and it didn’t bring me any more comfort knowing what it was, as I also knew that at any second he was going to come barrelling from any direction at me and despite personal protection training, I would not be prepared.

Those raptors in Jurassic Park could have learnt tricks from him.

I once needed to go to London for an interview. I asked a friend if they could babysit him for me & my friend agreed but asked if Newton could go to his house for the weekend instead as he had stuff to do.

Now I thought this wasn’t the smartest idea, but my friend was insistent that it would be fine, he’d looked after other animals and would manage Newton just fine. I tried to argue my case but he knew best. I figured it was his house, he could be the one picking up the mess so what the hell.

So, I origami’d Newton into his box, drove him over to my friend, cleaned him and everything in the Vicinity of the shit storm we usually endured when he went in a car, when we got there (some 7 minutes up the road) and set up his tray and food bowls whilst he sulked and went to explore the house.

I left my friend with strict instructions for managing my disruptive child and was saying my goodbyes on my way out of his front door when I heard a noise from above me and happened to glance up.

That furry fucker had dragged his blinds down and was literally hanging off of his first floor window trying to force it open with his head to clamber out of it.
I pushed past my friend and sprinted up the stairs just in time to grab him by the back legs and drag him back in the window.
We added locking the doors and windows to the prisoner-watch list and I reluctantly left him for the weekend, dreading what I would come back to after abandoning him for 2 days. i apologised in advance for any behaviour my friend would endure for those 2 days. He assured me he would be fine.

From what I understand Newton showed impeccable behaviour for that weekend. Either that or my friend was so embarrassed that he was wrong and didn’t want to admit it had been the weekend from hell. I couldn’t see any obvious damage to anyone or any property so I gave them both the benefit of the doubt.

On my return Newton was not happy with me. He sulked and gave me the silent treatment which I was actually relieved for as it meant I didn’t have to endure a tantrum in someone else’s house.

Being as I’d gotten the train back and the station was up the road from my friends house, the plan was to get a taxi back to my house with Newton.

Well everything was ok for the first 3 minutes of the journey being as Newton was still refusing to talk or even look at me & the taxi driver had reluctantly agreed to let me in the car with a cat box. This was despite his better judgement and I’m pretty certain what happened next has put him off ever allowing anyone else to travel in his taxi with a pet. So to all of the locals in my town - I am truly sorry.

And at about 3 minutes and 14 seconds into that journey we both regretted it.
Newton decided he now didn’t want to stay in the cat box and started playing up, trying to grab me though the bars. I’m trying to block him with my suitcase and keep at a distance where he can’t reach me whilst trapped in the back of the taxi with him.
First it was the swearing and abuse and the threats to kill & then the smell hit us.

He decided to start a dirty protest.

Cue windows frantically being wound down, driver trying not to cry, driving one handed with the other is covering his nose and mouth. He risked killing us all by putting his foot down to get me and my furry turd-sack out of his taxi ASAP.

I’m profusely apologising inbetween the wretching and dry-heaving and the carnage unfolding in the back of that taxi at 3:15am.

Luckily the roads were mostly empty and because it was a weekend, it was seen as a given that taxis do 73mph through a 40 zone at that time in the morning.

Unfortunately this was also the time when Network Rail decide to do work on the Trainline that ran through my village about 0.2 miles from my house.

The taxi driver was probably relieved he could kick me out sooner, but now I had to get the screaming, shit-covered arsehole through the village, across a closed level crossing, back to my house, whilst carrying a suitcase and the fucking banshee is waking the entire fucking neighbourhood up with his noise.

Oh, and did I mention it’s been fucking snowing for the last 26 hours.

And I’m wearing high heels.

Today was not a good day.

At this point I’m wondering whether to just open the box and let him find his own way back, but being the ever dutiful parent I decide to try and wheel my case and balance the cat box on top of it and trudge the last stretch home.

The level crossing was illuminated with flood lights and workmen who upon hearing the noise coming from the taxi as it screeched to a halt in the middle of the road, had all stopped working to watch with interest as to what the hell was going on as the doors were flung open, the driver gets out and runs to the curb to be sick and I’m trying to drag my belongings out of the back whilst apologising and choking.

As I drag my case, towards them, im trying not to fall over in the slippery conditions, whilst wearing stilettos, carrying what sounds like an angry spirting cobra in a cat box.

Thankfully they decided to be helpful and raised the barriers and allowed me to cross the tracks. They offered to help get my baggage over but I decided not to add to the list of people who were liable to sue me for damages and insisted I was just fine.
Its -3 degrees, I’m in heels, with make-up running down my face because although it’s marketed as water-proof apparently it wasn’t tested under conditions of chemical warfare.

They stood frozen in disbelief as I amble across the tracks, weaving between them and their machinery, like Bambi on ice, trying to keep my head held high, dragging a suitcase and a rocking cat box which smells of shit and is threatening to kill everyone in the immeadiate vicinity.

It took me about 9 minutes to drag that fucker home because he weighs about the same as 2 large sacks of potatoes, but unlike potatoes he doesn’t stay still and just behave and let me carry him home. No - he’s fighting to get out the whole way up the road and trying to lacerate my legs. And I also know that unlike when dealing with potatoes, I’m going to have world war 3 to contend with when I open the box in the kitchen.

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DISCLAIMER: I can’t believe I have to add this but several of you are concerning me with your comments.

My work is satire. It is written as a means to entertain & whilst all my stories are based on true events, they did not all happen in a month. I had Newton for over 15 years. He was at least 3 when I adopted him. Therefore I have lots of stories from over that time scale. Yes if this was every day then I might have had to get some professionals involved, even if only to attempt an exorcism.

I do not wish to read comments about how you punched, kicked or smacked your cats. Also I’m concerned that some of you are questioning why I chose to keep Newton.

I have had 9 cats & fostered 2, over the years, so I understand feline behaviours and have had the pleasure of many different personalities. The truth is most of the others were just not so entertaining to write about as you would consider them boring in comparison to Newton.

Newton was very loved. He was in good health & was looked after. He may have been a little bastard, but he was my little bastard and despite having to scrub the carpets on occasion or apologise to someone & offer time replace their bag, I would not have him any other way.

In fact I would gladly do it all over again, just to have him back.

The vets were not concerned & described Newton as a strong willed, bold character who knew his mind and just didn’t want to let me stop him doing whatever he set his mind too - like a stubborn child. He was just a grumpy old man but he had his moments too where he showed me that he loved me really.

So, before you comment asking me why I kept him around, ask yourself - if I edited this & replaced Newton with a child who had behavioural issues, would you have have still questioned why I didn’t put them into care or up for adoption?

For me, chaotic but so absolutely rewarding. I do want to disclose that I have two cats and although others may say that doesn’t make much a difference, for me it did.

I got my first baby, who was a 4 month old Calico two years ago. She was so calm and quiet and aside from scratching up the furniture a tiny bit, she was super behaved. She would zoom through the house at night which we found to be hilarious.

Then, I got “the baby”. I went to a cat show and I couldn’t leave without him. You just know, they say! He’s a gray and white male. As you can probably guess, things got wild since then.

They race through the house knocking things down. The older one pushes things off shelves, the younger one will try to pee on clothes if they are on the ground. They wrestle and jump on us while we sleep. The baby tries to bite my nose & then eat my hair at night. I’ve cleaned up puke like 3x in the last week & the litter box I’m constantly in either scooping or deep cleaning. The baby cries if I use the bathroom or shower without him present. When I open any can with a pop top they think it’s canned food time & there I am caving and giving them shredded chicken with gravy at 11pm because they whined. The older one whacks the water bowl so I wake up to water all over frequently. She also has a sock stash somewhere and every night she brings me like 40 of them and they are all over. I start each day by picking up those socks.

So, my answer is it’s CRAZY. BUT, it’s so much fun and they are hilarious! Would not trade it for anything. They are wild, but they are also super spoiled. They bring us their toys and lay in our laps when we have had a terrible day and need it most. After my last surgery, they didn’t leave my side. It’s like they knew I wasn’t feeling well. I won’t lie to you, I never wanted a cat. I got my first one because my son wanted one and I figured ohh I’ll step up and take care of it, it’s okay. Now I’m obsessed!!! Cats are amazing!!

Okay, so, I own 2 cats, and they’re father-and-son cats. They’re both naughty, especially the son. The son’s name is Summer (we named him Summer because when his mother gave birth to him, we thought he was a girl😭), while the father’s name is Wonie. Sometimes, they are both grumpy, sometimes they are both sweet and gentle. They always fight, and they sometimes get along. Wonie didn’t eat well a month ago, but he eats well today already. Summer is kinda bigger than Wonie. Anyways, to own a cat, it’s actually fun for me, but sometimes, I get angry at them, because they eat tapes, they mess up plastic bags, and they scratch some of our official K-Pop things😭😭😭 But, yeah, it’s really fun to own a cat, especially when they’re sweet and gentle.

I have 3 fur babies. We refer to them as such Gregs cat(Prissy) she's daddy's girl, My cat(Harley) he's Mama's boy cause even though he's 15lbs he's the biggest scaredy cat. Lol. And Lilly the baby (our cat).

Of course this is ridiculous because they are all our cats. They all have their own personalitys, likes and dislikes. They are dependent in a way that you know you watch out for them and want to make the best decisions for them.

I research the best diets; proteins, supplements etc. As well as making sure I don't accidentally introduce toxins into their environment by bringing toxic houseplants, burning essential oils… Its almost like child proofing a house for a toodlers, but different rules.

When we got Harley, he had been traumatized by his previous owner and we had to work with him more psychology, so that entailed more indepth research, as well as when we got Lilly. He was super aggressive to her. It was fear because he was threatened by her, he didn't want to share. Now they are BFFs.

There is more to having a cat or any pet then the purchase and then throwing down some kibble. If more people realized this pets would be better off.

These creatures return by taking care of you too. It's a shared intuition, they look at you and you know what they need or want and vice versa. When I have a migraine, or cramps. Or my boyfriend is passing a kidney stone, our babies know. They curl right up and turn on their motors to sooth us.

They greet us at the door when we return, all of us sleep in the same bed, they all come when called and know their names, none of them scratch or lash out in anger. 100% sweethearts. I would not trade them for anything.

Relaxing….if you like to sit on the couch with a ball of fur in your lap, entertaining if you enjoy watching a furry thing chase anything that will roll, fly or scoot, frustrating as you watch anything not too heavy or glued down go flying off the table. We have 5 (yes five indoor cats). Love them and enjoy their antics, plus they give me a chance to just sit.

Tango, Charlie, Joy, Cat-E and Hachi

I have a rare male Calico cat named, Cody. He is my little buddy and I love him so very much. He keeps me company and is a buffer against loneliness. He is smart and very affectionate. He likes to climb up my chest to my shoulders where he settles and rests there. I love it when he does this. His fur is so soft and silky. He lifts my spirits up in so many ways. I am so very happy to have him. Here’s Cody:

He’s chillin’ here. Here’s another:

Here’s Cody in a shopping bag. Here’s another:

This is Cody on the windowsill soaking up the sun!

Pretty wonderful as you might expect. The relationship is great. Things aren’t always perfect of course, but that’s normal.

Cats have very unique and individual personalities. It’s tough to bribe them or force them into anything, but when they decide to do something, they are wholehearted about it. A cat who has decided that you are theirs is a fantastic friend. They are good company, they comfort you when you are sad, they love spending time being near you. A relationship like that is two way, the cat is as grateful to have you as you are to have them. I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced this multiple times.

Here are my current cats, from when they were kittens. I am very grateful indeed to have them in my life. The little girl, Nishiko, gets me up and puts me to bed in the morning, and hangs out with me in my office as I work. Hiroshi, her brother, always makes me laugh and is incredibly good natured. He also gives great hugs! What’s it like to live with them? Pretty lively. They want me to be happy and I want them to be happy. There’s a lot that goes into a successful relationship with a cat, or any other intelligent being.

First, please let me say I like dogs. It isn't an either/or thing with me. However, my personality, for better or worse, is substantially more akin to a cat's.

Snowball, of whom many of you have heard, was apparently a fairly grouchy cat before we met. Some cats prefer people to other cats, don't like sharing their dinner, and are happiest balancing between solitude and human affection.

With Snowball, I know I'll never need an alarm clock. He'll reliably get me up in plenty of time to get to work. Yet, on weekends, he'll give a little inquisitive meow to see what my plans are, but will leave me be if said plans are more Zs.

He is always very happy to see me when I get home (and when I get home early, I delight in surprising him,) and expresses this by lolling and rolling about in his kitty litter with glee. Snowie is a very, ahem, regular cat, and the litter won't see use until late in the eve, so his reclination is pristine since I clean his tray daily. First, he rolls, then he wants to see me and we discuss the day's affairs. Then it's dinner time, and I invariably ask, "So…ya hungry, Snowie? How 'bout some food?" and Snowball assents.

He gets Iam's dry kibbles (original recipe) and fresh water all the time, and Friskies paté twice a day. He prefers seafood, and paté is definitely his choice. His water dish is clear glass, which helps me always keep it clean, but Snowie has a little trouble discerning the depth of the water and, not wanting to get his nose wet, he fastidiously paws the bowl out into the center of the kitchen, where he can use reflections to better determine water level. He drinks out of the far side of the bowl from where he's sitting, much like the manner Emily Post always instructed eating soup. After he's savored dinner, but long before he's done, he'll head back over to thank me and receive more pets. I'll check my email, and he'll come and sit beside me, gently tapping me on the shoulder when I've finished my iced tea or coffee. I'll look, and say "right you are!" and we both head back to the kitchen where I get a refill and he finishes dinner.

On weekends, he'll save the shoulder tap until about 6pm to remind me it's dinnertime, without a word. When I head to bed, he'll wait until I'm all tucked in, and then head on up the stairs for a visit before I drop off. He'll then either sleep along with me, at my feet, or quietly head back downstairs where he'll find a nook that suits him for the night.

He is very good at responding to verbal cues. If I say "lie down" he will…generally. He can be willful, but he's really good about it mostly. Likewise, I understand his different inflections and whether he wants affection, assurance, or is asking a specific question (like "what's that noise?") Sometimes, being in the city, there are loud, unanticipated noises.

No way around it, Snowball is a high-strung cat. I once accidentally dropped his kibble storage container on the floor, and Snowie leapt straight up to chest height in equal and opposite reaction. Mostly it's odd noises along the street, and his eyes will get large and his neck will stretch upward for a better view. Sometimes I'll step to the window and look out right beside him, and we'll figure it out together. Often, I'll simply note it's a dumpster clanging, and say "it's ok, Snowie, it's ok" at which point he looks at me and visibly relaxes. Snowball, likewise, loves people, but awaits my cue before advancing to investigate.

When alone with me, he loves to play the ambush game (as with Inspector Clouseau and his assistant) and LEAPS around, wrapping his paws around my legs. I'll say, "What th….?!" and he'll scamper off behind some piece of furniture awaiting his next attack.

When, on rare occasions, he does misbehave, scratching something he knows he shouldn't, or the like, my gat-of-choice is a spray bottle of water. Generally, if he's just being a nuisance, I can just say no in a normal tone of voice and pantomime a spray bottle and he'll cease and desist immediately.

Most of the time, Snowie tends to his own affairs as I tend to mine. As I've said in the past, Snowball and I…we're a team!

I don't like the word ‘owning’, even if it's technically (and legally) correct. I prefer to say I have a cat as friend. And that's great!

First off, before getting into this, I'd like to explain something, you never own another living being that is both intelligent and sentient and has emotions. At worst, you are their guardian, at best, your are their parent. People will say, “But, I paid for them! I feed them, etc, I OWN them!!”

You pay to have a human child, feed them, clothe them, provide them with shelter, warmth, education, etc. Do you OWN that child? No, you're their guardian, or parent. You can't own another human, because that's slavery, and humans are intelligent, sentient, have emotions, so what makes you think you can own a living, breathing, intelligent, sentient, emotional animal?

Ok, anyway…

Being a caregiver for a cat, or dog, or horse, or goat, or whatever else is the most wonderful, exciting, amazing, heartwarming, terrifying, heart-wrenching, scariest, worrying experience in the world. Sounds kind of confusing don't it? It's not different than being a parent to a human child, in some ways, it's more difficult.

I have watched as my furbabies give birth, and seen this tiny little life the length of my finger take its first breaths, blind and deaf, covered in yuck take its first little fumbling steps to its mother to nurse. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I've watched the new babies eyes start to open, and laughed my head off when they begin to see the world and holding it in my hand and hiss and spit at me, at a tiny ball, their siblings, and everything but their mother. I've beed there as their little tiny ears “pop" open, and sounds can be heard, their mother's purr or meow drawing them, and watched them fall asleep nursing, or on my foot, or in a little mosh pit of siblings. I've watched them grow day by day, exploring their new world, being their climbing post, and enjoying every new adventure they have. But I've experienced the heart ache of stillborn babies, crying at the loss of this tiny life, mourning the life it will never experience. I've held my breath in terror and fear when they fall, rushing to make sure they are ok, and had my heart stop when they didn't move at first, and the huge intake of breath when they're ok, and the mad rush to a vet when they aren't. Staying beside them, not moving, when they're sick, laughing so hard I cry when they use the litterbox for the first time and litter gets stuck on their tiny nose, or they fall asleep in the food dish while eating. I've looked on them with pride, clapping when they make their first tentative pounce, or drag their little stuffy into bed with my wife and I at night, making that first successful climb. The terror mixed with pride when they first attempt to jump from the couch to the table. I've looked on them and marveled at the changes as they grow and get bigger and more confident. I've panicked as I've looked all over the house and couldn't find them as they play “hide and scare the crap out of Daddy”. The worry at the vet visits, especially when being spayed or neutered. The fear when they limp after a miscalculated jump. So many highs and lows throughout their lives.

I've rescued cats and kittens and other furchildren, trying to help those who were abused by humans, angry and enraged wanting to kill the sadistic bastards that hurt them or made these innocents afraid and cringe to be touched. Slowly gaining their trust and their love as they learn that not all humans will hurt them. The rapturous joy the first time they let me pet them, or purr, or they jump into my lap. The pain of the vet telling me that he doesn't think they'll live long, asking me the hated question about putting them to sleep, always refusing unless they are in pain that won't heal. Not wanting their whole life to be abandonment, pain, and never knowing love and safety. If the vet can help the baby to not hurt, and live longer, I do whatever it takes, or costs.

But the worst is when they're sick, or they're old, and you know soon you will lose this precious child, that soon you will have a hole in your heart and soul. That is hard, even now, just thinking about it, talking about it, I feel the fist clenched around my heart, the struggle to breathe, my eyes tearing up. But that horrible day will come that they leave you, and must say goodbye. And your heart breaks, shattering to billions of pieces, the pain overwhelms you, puts you in a place of such darkness you never think you'll escape. All you are is loss, pain, bursting out in tears everytime you see a reminder of your beautiful child, and everything reminds you of your baby. Many never understand the depth of the loss and throw platitudes they don't understand. Others, the hated ones, say, “it was just a (animal)”, and you are consumed with such a black rage and hatred it takes all of your will not to grind them to pulp, and sometimes you fail in it, and your loss, your anger explodes and you beat them to hell, and throw them out, or walk out of your job, or end the friendship, or disown that family member. Eventually your life moves forward, but the loss is always there, just under the scabbed over wound. It never truly heals, never.

There is not a single day since I've lost my children that I don't miss them, think about them, talk to them, tell them Daddy never forget them, never stop loving them, never stop aching to hold them again, never stop hurting from their loss.

What's it like to “own" a cat, or any animal? It is the greatest joy, wonder, happiness, and the lowest depth of pain, heartache and grief. Many ask why I rescue animals if it hurts so much for me. I do it because the love is greater than the hurt, because every animal I rescue I give them something they've never known, love, safety, hope, and happiness because every living thing deserves to know these things. Every life I save, every fear I can change to hope, every pain that I turn to love, every loneliness I turn into companionship is one more win against misery, hopelessness, pain and fear.

Every headbutt, or kneading, every purr, every happy bark, every tail wag, every nicker, every nuzzle, every time I see or feel the love from my children, that they show me in a thousand ways everyday is what makes the pain and grief worth it. They are my babies, my children, my pride and joy, they are my world, and they are my life. And they always will be.

When I was growing up I had an indoor/outdoor cat. His name was Captain Gussy Du Valle, but he let me call him Gus.

He wasn't neutered. I remember devoting most of my nights between the ages of 7 and 16 to praying that cat would come home safe. I was an avid animal lover even as a child and considered Gus my best friend. I even saved a homework assignment describing his misadventures, that from the handwriting, looks as though I must have been in 2nd grade or so.

He'd disappear for days at a time and I'd be peering out the back door every few minutes watching for him until all hours; wondering where he could be and if he'd been hit by a car and was lying on the side of the road someplace.

There was a running joke in the neighborhood that all the kittens had 4 white paws, just like him. Sometimes I'd see him at a house down the street where numerous cats were always hanging out on their front porch. I expect they were the neighborhood males come to visit the unspayed female that lived there. I'd try to get him to come home with me and he'd ignore me like he had no idea who I was.

Usually, I didn't know where he was and would just wait and wait and hope he'd turn up. When he finally did he usually had some new injury. Once, he had a piece of his ear missing and another time he had a puncture wound on his face that abscessed, burst and then needed to be stitched closed.

Of course it would have been much less expensive and much safer for him if he'd just been neutered and kept inside, but my mom was and still is of the opinion that a cat needs to be let out to "enjoy life" and it's not fair to them to be kept inside. Neuter/Spay just wasn’t something routinely done back then.

My father couldn't stand Gus. He once said to my mother, "the kids (meaning me, mostly) treat him better than they treat me." She used to divide up the turkey liver on Thanksgiving between them, which infuriated my Dad the year he discovered this.

Gus passed away shortly after I started my first year of college.

As a child, I didn't have the ability to make these decisions, but the 3 male cats I've had since then have all been neutered. The first divided his time between indoors and out, but at least he stayed close to home. I still worried every time he went outside and he managed to get into a couple of tight spots, but no fights that I was aware of. When he was about 15, he fractured his front leg walking along a ledge that gave out under his weight. He fell about 30 feet to the pavement below. He spent 6 weeks in a leg cast.

I once spent 3 days searching the tall grass along the side of the road, fearing he'd been hit by a car or met with some horrible accident. It turned out he'd accidentally been locked in a neighbor's garage. I only found him because I happened to hear his weak reply to me calling his name from across the street. He was dehydrated and could barely climb down from where he'd been hiding.

Incidentally, these same people owned a male intact cat, Mittens, who once climbed into a car engine during a snowstorm and was nearly chopped to pieces when someone started the car. Mittens was bandaged literally from head to toe, walking stiff-legged like the mummy cat he resembled, and they still let him outside. I suppose they couldn't stand him pawing at the door trying to get out even in that condition.

Non-neutered males have a one track mind when there's a female in heat nearby. They will forgo food, sleep and engage in brawls with other males just to get a look in.

Even without a female nearby, they will still fight to protect their territory if they sense another cat near their home and they often wander farther and farther afield as new temptations arise.

I now know that the best way to avoid this kind of thing and (if you're at all like me) to save yourself the worry and stress, is to look into getting your cats neutered as soon as possible and keep them inside. There are all kinds of low cost or free neutering programs available in most cities now. It's a simple, low-risk operation and the difference it can make to their health and well-being is well worth it.

It’s wonderful 95% of the time, annoying 3% of the time (hairballs, anyone?) and absolutely terrifying the small percentage of time you can’t find them for awhile or they are clearly sick. They will grab your heart like no other can. To be trusted by a cat is proof you’re one of the very best people. :)

Grateful, abundance of love towards cat, want to rush home just to be with cat, want to buy cat everything and then-some, always wondering how they are doing , don’t want them wandering away. Panic if they become lost, nothing is too much money or time, leave to go to work but have a sense that you don’t want to leave them, thinking about the next toy, posts, catnip you’ll get them, space on bed isn’t frustrating so you find a different way of sharing the bed, you learn usual behaviour so if something is different you know something isn’t right, vey bills aren’t an issue, grooming salon is a must . You hold and cry and rock when they take their final breath, pictures everywhere in house on phone, camera. You want to brag and boast about how smart it is. make it sound like it’s the only cat in the world. Laughing more at the antics it gets up to then you post it on Facebook. Has its own Facebook account and own followers. Snapchat is full of cat pics. You want to take it everywhere with you. When On vacation you call whomever looking after said cat just to see if it’s ok and if they are eating properly. Sometimes looking for hotels that allow cats. Pay extra on plane to have cat as carry on versus in cargo hold. I could go on and on. Put up with the hair so buy clothes that won’t show the hair. You was your clothes with soap that won’t irritate the cat. You ask friends if allergic and if they say yes you tell them to take a pill instead of putting cat in a room you spend money on toys that you think they will play with and they don’t so you try other toys and more toys before long you need a basket for the toys they don’t play with but you think they will eventually. You don’t mind them waking you up during the night.for pets or food. Dry them off when they get wet because you don’t want them getting cold. You buy clothes for them even if it’s summertime. Feed treats for no reason cause you can buy the most expensive food as it’s your baby and only the best for them you spend hours trying to find the best collar for them you make sure the dishes and bowls are the best you have tingles and happy eyes whenever you talk about them( that last one may only happen to me). They can’t do no wrong, you tell them they can’t go somewhere and once you realize they have you don’t have the heart to correct behaviour that couch may get scratched and you may or may not correct the behaviour. But you get my drift it also depends on each person how they show and feel grateful having a cat.

Having a pet cat can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for many people. Cats are affectionate and intelligent animals that can provide their owners with companionship, entertainment, and a sense of comfort and support. They are often low maintenance pets and are well-suited to people who have busy schedules or limited space.

Caring for a cat involves providing them with the basics they need to live a happy and healthy life, including food, water, a litter box, and a safe and comfortable place to sleep. It may also involve regular grooming, such as brushing and trimming their claws, and providing them with toys and other forms of mental and physical stimulation to keep them entertained.

Cats can be independent animals and may spend much of their time sleeping or engaging in independent play, but they also enjoy interacting with their owners and may show affection through behaviors such as rubbing against their legs or purring when they are petted.

Overall, having a pet cat can be a fulfilling and enriching experience that brings joy and companionship to their owners. However, it's important to remember that caring for a cat is a significant responsibility, and it's important to consider whether you have the time, resources, and commitment to provide for a cat's needs before making the decision to adopt one.

Having a pet cat is like having a little affectionate furry companion.

Like Luna, your cat would be mainly motivated by hedonistic tendencies, but good news, she recognizes that affection is returned, and if you treat her well, she will make you happier in return with lots of purrs and nuzzles and cuteness. You'll have a little buddy to sit next to you when you watch movies, and purr in delight as you stroke her like the evil genius you are. She'll help root out little bugs and mice, and she keeps herself super-clean and for whatever reason, they know to poop in a litter box. It's almost as cool as the dolphin that rescues men from sharks. I mean, how did it evolve, where all cats know to poop in a plastic, granola-filled box? A lot of things cats do will amaze you, but you just have to shrug and think of them as strange aliens with their own agendas. You'll figure it out.

The first thing you need to do is to address a cat's health. A cat that is not healthy will be less capable of showing you affection, let alone pursuing its hedonistic desires. And the number one hedonistic desire of a cat, that conflicts directly with its number one potential cause of poor health, is food. You have to not only provide a cat with good quality food, but also a proper amount.

Good quality food is basically the more expensive stuff, but go with what your veterinarian recommends. For the portion, a kitten eats more food than a cat. In general I feed my cat one 5.5oz can of wet food a day. Dry food is supposed to be higher carb and less healthy than wet food, which is more natural for a cat's digestion system, so I'd stick with the wet food. All vets that I've talked to have recommended wet food, along with 99% of cat lovers I've spoken with, so who am I to argue? Also, the more feedings you can do per day, the better, but realistically, most people with a day job will manage two. At least two feedings though. The benefit of three feedings is that the cat gets less hungry throughout the day, and more fully digests the food. We also use a cat water fountain, with a filter in it, because there's any number of things that can fall into a cat's water bowl that could get her sick. If I can avoid my cat suffering, plus incurring an expensive vet bill or two down the road, I sure as hell can give my cat filtered water!

By the way, Luna was not happy at all when we switched her from three feedings to two, but... she was no longer a kitten, so it was time. Now we suffer with her continued harassment, starting one and a half to two hours before each feeding time, nagging us for food, nudging us to go in the kitchen. You have to stay strong-willed and stick to evenly-spaced feeding times, because you know the cat will suffer more for the next feeding if she eats too early.

Food aside, there's also the issue with a cat's daily need for "fun". This is both fulfilled with exploration, and play. Cats often try to explore dangerous places. This includes not only the great outdoors, where cars and predators can kill them, but also at home, where they can get stuck in weird places. You have to prevent all of that. It's not so hard. Just don't leave drawers and closets open, where you might accidentally trap them for hours at a time. Make sure you know where your cat is before you close the door of a room. You might need to use cat treats on occasion to fish them out. My cat certainly comes a runnin' when she hears the bag of Greenies cat treats being open. If she doesn't, well, it's time to tear apart the house.

The worst scenario happened twice to me, where I looked all over, and could not find her. The first time was during a move (do not let the cat roam free during a move). She was in the drawer of a computer desk that was being loaded onto a truck: Our movers accidentally packed Luna! ...And the other time she managed to escape and I caught her hanging out in the shadows on the driveway: The Great Escape Very scary. Your little friend might be suddenly gone if you make the wrong move, so you have to try to minimize that, and always assume the worst.

Exploration aside, there's also play time. You can take the easy way out and get a second cat. The cat will be less attached to you, most likely, but it's less work to keep the cat entertained. However, there's a chance the cats will not get along anyway, then you have to entertain two cats! But it's not so bad entertaining a cat. They'll probably be okay with attention here and there a few times a day. A cat becomes a welcome distraction when you want to take breaks. Rub her belly: How to properly rub a cat belly ... Or play with her using the stick/string toys, like Da Bird or throw little insect like things across the floor and watch her chase! You might have to hide certain toys when not in use. Cats have a tendency to digest things they shouldn't. Luna particularly likes foam earplugs. The aftermath of her eating those things is pretty gross.

You'll get cat hair everywhere. You can try to fight some of this, by brushing or even bathing your cat. Your furniture might get scratched up. If you declaw your cat, well, that's very unfortunate. I understand that there are some situations where a landlord requires this, and for that cat it's a choice between that and euthanization (asshole landlords). More reasonable is to just trim your cat's claws. It's not that hard. At first, just stick with doing a couple claws at a time. You squeeze the digit, and then cut a little off with this little clipper. Don't be shy...just try not to be too close to the "quick", that little thing you see inside the claw... but just get it done. Eventually you'll realize that your cat objects less in her sleepy moments, and you can probably knock off all 18 at once (eighteen...so weird) if you grip firmly and clip decisively.

You're the wise parent in this relationship. You have to do what's best for the cat. You have to make sure they eat healthy. Otherwise, you can expect to pay much more in vet bills down the road ($100-$5000 per "something wrong"), plus the cat will lead a less happy life. You also have to resist their nudging you to let them explore places that are not safe for them. You must be ever vigilant. Usually, they'll be just fine, but 2% of the time, you'll need to put on your firefighter's hat and go rescue them. In the end, it's all worth it, because, OMG, these fuckers are cute:

The cuteness review

It's like having a young child. Cats are wilful, stubborn and disobedient. They are sweet and cuddly and affectionate. They are smart, inquisitive and mischievous. And I wouldn't trade our cat for anything.

Cat are even lower maintenance when you realize you can automate most of their care!

Food

Water

Monitoring & Treats

Litter

Entertainment

Play

Grooming

Pretty cool, huh? If you wanted to, you really only need to check up on a cat once or twice a week. Imagine checking up on a dog once a week—or a lizard, hamster, parakeet, or fish for that matter. Yet many cats can provide a high level of companionship. The only thing you can't skimp out on is human socialization.

Cats are trainable (though they expect rewards) and are incredibly tolerant of me being gone 8-16 hours a day and asleep for another 8. They are generally healthy as a species, compared to dogs, who have a shorter lifespan and suffer from all sorts of breed-specific issues. Cats are squishy, expressive, and they come with a built-in motor.

They are more likely to be accepted by landlords and they learn to stay out of the way of roommates, which is hugely important to me as someone that used to move around every 3-12 months across states. My cat was incredibly hardy over 12-hour car rides, but my friend's dog needed a pit stop every 3 hours.

And, the best part is, if you can support one, you can probably easily get two for twice the fun.

My cat Lego has been a delightful first pet and I look forward to many years to come:

How can you resist that face?!

I had 5 dogs over the span of 45 years. As my last dog aged and approached his final years, I decided to adopt a cat. One year after adopting the first cat, I visited the local shelters again and adopted a second cat. Cats are like potato chips — you can’t have just one!

Cats make wonderful pets — much easier to take care of than dogs. They can be left at home with a bowl of dry kibble and a bowl of fresh water, plus 2 litterboxes (or more) for an entire day, if need be. You can’t do that with a dog.

Both of my cats have the sweetest, unique personalities. One responds to his name like a dog — he comes when called. The other one is very chatty and loves belly rubs.

Cats that don’t mind being picked up are so cuddly and “scoop-able”. Both of my cats allow us to scoop them into our arms for a kiss and cuddle. They will seek out a warm lap to take a nap whenever they see one of us sitting down. There is nothing as calming as having a soft, warm kitty lying on you as it purrs contentedly.

Do yourself a favor, and go adopt a cat!

Cats are very curious creatures. They are also have adventurous nature. They are also extremely intelligent and are extremely playful. Some cats can be odd at times, alot like people, there like having a roommate. They need stimulating toys to help them get thru the day when there mates, have to work. I have made up a little play area so Sky can run around and play when Im not around. But my favorite thing about my girl is she is loving and protective of me. When I came home from the hospital. After major surgery, she insisted on laying across me and guarding me. I felt like she was trying to heal me, Her purring was so loud and constant, but comforting at the same time.

You have to sleep like this with a cat 😅

I own 2 one is sweet and just wants to chill where as the other is insane runs about all the time, makes mess, goes places he knows hes not allowed and bugs my hamster then at he end of it he comes and lays on you like hes a good boy and expects a belly rub 🤣 also meows all the time for everything if he goes out about a minute later hes at the window screaming to come inside again so you let him in and he wants to go straight back out as soon as you sit down. 🤦‍♀️

Also a lot of scratches are involved when owning a cat even if it's just from play.

Anyone who has ever interacted with a Siamese at length will confirm this. Siamese cats are super talkative, they're brimming with energy, and they're always getting into trouble.

They get a bad rap for being "aggressive" when they're really only acting on instinct. They're a very active, curious, intelligent breed.

Siamese cats are one of the most ancient breeds of cats and have lived side-by-side with humans for many hundreds of years. It’s no wonder they make great pets; not only are they beautiful to look at, but they’re also very loving companions who like nothing more than a good natter with their human friends.

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You don't do the "keeping."

If you share your home with a Siamese, you do not own the cat. He owns you. And the entire home. And all the things in the said home.

The Siamese cat is an ancient breed of cat. They have characteristic pointed markings, large ears, slanted eyes, and slim long legs.

Not only are they intelligent, curious cats, but they are also very affectionate too.

At times it’s fair to describe a Siamese as demanding. This loyal feline won’t want to spend much time alone but will delight in following you around the house. Making his presence felt.

Well the life of my cats are. (If you are asking what cats do with their lives, if not feral cats live about 5 years. But the domestic cats can live up to 20. Anyway enjoy my Cats schedule)

4am: Sing to owner

6am: demand food from owner

10am: get the food at last from lazy owner

12pm: play in cat tunnel

12:30pm: run into the wall

1:30pm: watch owner sleep

(For female cat) 1:45pm: sleep with owner

(For male cat) 1:45pm: jump on owners face

2pm-4pm: watch birds

5pm: beg for food owner has that looks better than mine

(For male cat) 5:15pm: get put in cage for trying to jump on owners plate

6pm: watch T.V with owner

(For female cat) 6:16pm: step on owners internal organs till I'm comfortable.

(For male cat) 6:16pm: Go in cage and lay in bed.

7pm: play

7:30pm: play some more

8pm: kitty chatter

(For male cat) 8:30pm: Jump on female cat

(For female cat) 8:31pm: Start fight with male cat, then be put in cage for starting fight.

9pm-9:30pm: lay in bed and demand food.

10pm: eat food

10:30pm-11pm: play

11:30pm: be put in cage for bedtime after having fur and teeth brushed. And of course the soft kitty song.

This is my cats life. When I say cage it's a tall cage that has shelves. Litter boxers, water and food bowls, along with a bed are in each one. Tried having them out at night while I sleep, rather not wake up to my male cat jumping on my face again. Anything in between are cat fights and napping :)

Cats are probably one of the most low maintenance pets you could have. That's not to say that they are no maintenance, but low maintenance. They barely need to be litter trained (just shown where the box is for the most part) and do not require outdoor walks. In fact, they shouldn't be taken outdoors.

Cats also provide endless entertainment! They can cuddle with you and purr and, in general, be adorable. :-). Our cats, Squishy and Waffles, bring us endless joy, reduce stress and improve our overall health.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/98432.php

Here are a couple of gratuitous pictures of our cats:

• Cats are mostly clean. It will use a litter box on its own and lick itself clean. It will even try to bury it's waste.
• Cats will constantly demand petting and attention. They will trod on Your favourite objects, to receive your attention.
• Some Cats might be fussy, when it comes to food. My cat became addicted to meat and milk, and would rarely consume anything else.
• There will be no mice inside your house (major plus point!)
• After a tiring day at work, your cat’s love will revive you.
• There will be a cuteness overload inside a your home. You'll never feel lonely.
• Life will definitely become better, you'll become more sociable (I did).

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A CAT ?

It's morning, time to wake the humans up. I start by sitting on their pillows and using my paw to stroke their face. Then a meow or two .That worked.

The female gets up and I go into the bathroom with her. She can’t be in there on her own. She does crazy things like trying to drown herself in a big tub of water. She stands under a rainstorm of water and sings, sings I tell you. What would these people do if I wasn't here to look after them. They have no idea how much danger they are in.

That's her favourite room, now we go to mine, the food room! She gets me fresh tuna and I open the cupboard to remind her about my favourite biscuits.

New water, good, now we go outside to enjoy the morning sun. I love this time, chasing birds and the outdoor cats as she feeds everyone.

Time to go in and snooze in my favourite window. Now I am alone and the house is mine!

Of course it is my house. We all know that.

T