5 Things My Cats Taught Me

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I’m still a dog guy – but I have crazy cat lady syndrome.  Before I got my dog Kona, I had two cats who quickly won me over.  Why?

Because they get me.  Although I love dogs because they are fun, loyal, give you constant affection, playful, like to cuddle, does tricks for you, get excited when you come home, and all sorts of other things that people love about them.  The cats reach me on a deeper level. When I come home from work, my cats are either sleeping or meowing at me to feed them. No “Hi” or “Glad you are home”.  It’s more like “Whatevers” and “It’s about damn time – I’m hungry!”

Some know my cats as: fat cat, and small cat.  I know them as Milo and Oli.  You can decide who is who.  But from my interaction with these two guys I’ve come to the conclusion that they have taught me more about myself and gave me a few lessons about life.  I may even consider a cat more than a dog.

 

 

5 Things My Cats Taught Me

1. Naps are Important

I’ve always taken naps but mainly because I was feeling lazy, wanted to sleep, or just didn’t know what else to do with myself.  The National Sleep Foundation found that taking a 20-30 minutes nap during the day “improved alertness and performance without leaving you feeling groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep.” That’s also why sometimes at I work, I set aside 20 minutes of “reflection” time where I watch the back of my eyelids.

2. I’m Grumpy When I’m Hungry

Snickers did a good job on this one – “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” That slogan speaks to my soul.  But I get a constant reminder from my cats every morning.  They meow and meow, jump on the bed, walk all over my body.  Sometimes, I toss a pillow at them, but they still come back no matter what.  They will put their face into my face and meow even louder.  I’m sure they wish they could slap me or knock me in the head with the club I have next to my bed (yes, I have a club – so don’t break into my place). If you have a cat, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  If not, then watch this video and you’ll understand:

3.  I do What I Want to do

Dogs are great because they listen.  They will sit for you, lay down, say please for treats – they are so loyal.  Not my cats, when I tell them to come, they look at me with, “No. You come.” I tell them No – they meow back which probably translates to “Up Yours!”

Of course I listen to people who are trying to help, don’t get me wrong. But I believe that I do what is necessary and when it is necessary.  I will consider the opinions of others and then make my own decision based on what I feel is right.  I’m the one who has to live with the decision.

4.  Live Simple

Material things have become a standard of status.  Although they are nice to have, most people have fancy things and can barely afford to pay their rent but yet they feel the need to have a plasma tv or a pair of shoes that costs over 100 dollars.  Not my cats, they have a lot toys because they were given to me as gifts for them or from when I first got them and wanted to shower them with love.  But they don’t play with them except one particular one – a frickin’ elastic band.

They go crazy over the elastic band no matter what time of day it is.  They will wake their asses up to play with this elastic band.  They could care less about the catnip mouse, or the feathered bird that chirps when it gets hit.  

They enjoy the most simplest thing.

Living a simple life is refreshing. This past year I’ve been living a pretty simple life.  No car, a tv that I had since I was in college (no, it’s not a flat screen), a futon couch that has been passed down from friend to friend, and a bed that was given to me by my brother 4 years ago.  Most of the money I spend is towards rent, bills, food, books, and a few drinks thrown in here and there.  Main thing – I’m happy.

5.  Play Towards Your Strengths

Milo, aka small cat, knows that Oli, aka fat cat, is much stronger and bigger.  On the other hand, Oli knows Milo is faster and can actually jump on to the which he cannot.  Every so often Oli will sneak up on Milo and jump on his back causing Milo to squirm and whine and Oli just lays on him with a smirk on his face. But when Milo finally gets out he is quick to jump up onto the counter and Oli is quickly reminded that he has no hops.

Both of them play towards their strengths.  For my entire life I’ve been trying to figure out what to do.  I’ve always been great with working out, creativity, and writing.  When it came to numbers, that was a whole different world for me that my mind couldn’t grasp.  Did I mention I failed pre-calc?

So just recently, I’ve finally found my focus in life and decided to combine them all in to one mega strength.

Closing Thoughts

This is just some food for thought.  I spend a lot of time working on things at home and observing my animals.  Sometimes they make me wonder what they are thinking, especially when the cats just stare at me with those judging eyes.  But it doesn’t matter, because in my home – I’m the Alpha Male.

 

Ok…just to be fair. One more of Kona.