Cat Etiquette
My cats are very quick to point out exactly what is proper and acceptable in my their house.
When I slip up, I am shown exactly why my behavior and/or actions where not good choices on my part.
They do not lecture or scold me, just kindly demonstrate the effects my actions have caused and I am free to decide if the consequences were positive or negative. They also patiently allow me the freedom to repeat my actions, in case I didn’t fully learn the lesson the first time, or to strive not to have the incident repeated.
Three lessons in table manners the cats reminded me of today:
![]() |
Same pose, though this photo was when my son was trying to do some school work a the table (under cat’s butt) |
When there were no papers left, he finally sat down, stuck his leg above his head and groomed his, er.., self, as if everything were all fine and dandy and why was I staring at him with my mouth open?
2. Do not leave a water glass on the table (No, obviously I did not learn my lesson from the last incident.) because a second cat can, and will, come along, plop his big fuzzy self down next to it where he thought he had just enough room, only his girth (oh, sorry, fluff) will expand as he slumps down into a comfortable position, causing the glass to topple, pouring water across the table, onto the floor, and spilling right onto those papers that ended up settling directly under that section. And Rascal will (did) look at me as if to say, “why did you put that there? Better clean it up quick”.
![]() | |
Rocco laying on my son’s book bag on the table |
3. Do not leave anything I don’t wish to be covered in cat hair out where it could become a comfy bed, even on the table. My son just started T-ball. We got his new uniform yesterday, complete with pants, shirt, socks, and hat! I left them out to make sure nothing would be forgotten as we needed to be early to opening day this morning. I set them on the table, then remembering my lessons to avoid cat hair, I draped the pants, socks, and shirts over a dining room chair. The hat I left on the table. I thought the hat would be safe. Silly me.
Apparently baseball caps are comfortable to curl up on! Though I didn’t actually see either of them on it, I spent an extra ten minutes, I had not made time for, trying to get most of the white cat hair off the new dark blue ball cap before team photos this morning. Rascal and Rocco, on the couch now, just stared at me blankly.
Of course I didn’t stop to take photos of any of this, I was in too much of a hurry to clean up the messes. However, this is not, by far, the first time I have left things on the table that the cats have claimed, apparently I am a slow learner!
![]() |
Rocco on a shoe box I had out to use for shipping something |
![]() |
It was in perfect shape when I had set it on the table |
![]() |
Because one cat wasn’t damage enough, Rascal came along to finish off my box! |
yep! Lucy has those very same rules!!!!
Cats just love to get in things
Awww, but they are so precious we overlook so many things. Yes we do.
Hope you had a fabulous Feline Friday. ☺
Haha! Us cats always wanna lay in spots that we're not supposed to. And everything looks better with a little cat hair. 😉
Apparently so!
Our little Rascal loves to play with my water glass until it spills over. Then he wonders why I raise my voice after. He will never learn this lesson. LOL
Another troublemaker! 😉
so happy to meet you! Cute blog! Cody and I are now following you and hope you will do the same. Have a great day!
Thank you! Liked your blog as well. We're stalking you pretty much everywhere now. Bwaahaha!
Target sells a really great mitt that you can use to clean cat hair off clothes and whatever else. (PS That would be "effects" as a noun…yes, it's confusing…)
Thanks for the suggestion! I have a sponge pet hair remover thingy that works pretty well, kind of like a hair magnet. Masking tape is a favorite, too. I fixed the spelling and appreciate the help!
Very good lesson. We like to remind the Head Peep it's time for her to clean off her desk by pushing things off for her.
I am often so gently reminded. You'd think I'd learn by now. Good thing the cats are so patient with me!
What? You mean you don't put the stuff there for them? I go on the table and think its fun to bat the things onto the floor. I keep knocking the treat container on the floor hoping it will flop open, but it never does.
William
Oh, you would fit right in here! I have come to realize everything belongs to them and I am just here to provide the care and fun stuff!