What Being a Cat Mom Means to Me #proudcatmom

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When people ask me if I have children, I smile and say, "Yes. I have cats."

I have three children, ranging from ages 15 to 2. They depend on me for everything... and they are my everything.

At almost 16 years old, Pimp is my old man. He was once a thick, stocky 23-pound cat, and now I affectionately call him my little bag of bones. He's had several big health issues in the last few years, but I'd move heaven and earth (and go beyond broke in the process) to do whatever it takes to keep him with me as long as I can. He's doing great now, snoozing away in his self-heating cat bed.

Pimp beard!

My second child, Moo, is 7 years old. He is my velcro kitty. He loves me with every black and white fur on his chunky body, and spends his days following me around begging to be picked up. I have no idea what his background is. He showed up at my back porch when he was about a year and a half old and made a strong case for why I should be his mom until I eventually caved and brought him in. He definitely has trust issues, so I hope he didn't have a rough life before working his way into mine, but I do know that he'll never have to worry about being out on the streets again.

Moo makes a great scarf.

And then there's Phantom. Phantom was an accident. He's that little baby in a family of already-grown kids with the frazzled mom who just isn't sure how she got herself into this situation of having another little rugrat around again. (If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know exactly what I mean!) Phantom was dumped at the county shelter by his previous owners and I helped rescue him, intending to get him to someone who lived several states away. I agreed to foster him while we set up his ride there, but long story short, that didn't work out... and neither did the idea of "temporary" fostering that I had. This fool melted my heart almost immediately, and I love him so much that he can do all the havoc-wreaking he does around the house, and I can't help but smile.

Phantom wondering who that handsome dude in the camera is.

Being a cat mom means that I am fully responsible for three precious lives.

I know exactly what they like and don't like to eat. (Phantom hates anything chicken, Moo doesn't like anything even remotely chunky, and Pimp prefers his covered in gravy.)

I know exactly what toys they prefer to play with. (Phantom only likes wand toys, Moo likes bigger stuffed animal toys, and Pimp only likes those little multi-pack mice.)

I know what they are saying when they talk to me. (Phantom has a special chirp when he wants to play, Moo yells at me when he wants to get picked up, and Pimp has a special "turn on the bathroom faucet" meow.)

I know their sleeping routines and patterns. (Phantom sleeps on the floor near the foot of the bed or curled up along the bedroom wall, Moo sleeps at the foot of the bed on my side against my feet, and Pimp sleeps right up next to me on my side snuggled up right to my chest.)

I also know they each have their little "things" that make them special.

Moo, for instance, loves boxes. If I put a box on the floor -- any box, any time of the day -- he'll be in it within 10 seconds, guaranteed. It's adorable and comical. He also brings me toys when I'm gone for the day... when I get home there are always two or three of his favorites (always the stuffed gator and the rat, sometimes the end of a feather wand toy that broke off years ago). We call this his job, and he does a great job of it. He doesn't even take weekends off!

Even this happened one moving day... The box determination is admirable.

Pimp gets very touchy-feely around catnip. He doesn't get crazy like some cats, he just loves it. When he's on the nip, he loves to rub his face all over whatever toy it is and drool all over it. He also loves to be petted on the bathroom counter. Often he'll jump up and yell at me for what I think means to turn the faucet on, but all he really wanted to do is be petted. So we do that and he turns on the purr motor, makes this blissfully happy face and looks up with his eyes closed as I pet him just the right way on his forehead between his eyes.

Black and white lovey face.

Phantom has so many "things" that I have no idea where to start. Let's just leave it at the fact that I have five empty shelves on the bookcase because he won't allow things to be on them, all of our art on the walls is crooked because he finds a way to redecorate, and no one has a minute of peace until he's been sufficiently worn out with his Da Bird wand toy. This house is very different than before he came along, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Phantom hates straight pictures.

Being a cat mom is awesome. My three boys give me so much joy and are each so unique and loving and silly. They have such different personalities! There is never a dull moment around here, and I am always surrounded by unconditional love.

Some people think cats are boring or that owning a cat is not cool. Only "crazy" people have cats and dog owners are so much more normal, they think. They think cats do nothing but sleep all day and that they are all the same.

They all think wrong, though. We know that, and I hope one day everyone else does too. Being a cat mom is a wonderful thing to be!

What does being a cat mom mean to you? Let's all share in the comments!


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NOTE FROM CUTE: I am not sure if you all saw, but I just started a new business -- CatLadyBox. It's the first-ever monthly subscription box for people who love cats! I just launched it a few weeks ago, and I can't wait to start sending all this fabulous cat-themed stuff to everyone! I'm so excited!

Each month, you'll receive a box with cattastic hand-picked finds for cat ladies like cat lady jewelry, shirts, accessories, home decor, books, cat art and more! It's going to be pawesome!

If you're interested and would like to subscribe to CatLadyBox, you can cancel anytime, of course.

I want to get rid of the cat lady stereotype and help make cat ladies the things to be! The first box ships in June, so now is a good time to sign up! If you have questions, feel free to email me. :)

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It's Time for a "Cattitude" Adjustment!

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Now this is a study I can stand behind! I'm all-in on the findings of this study, and all-in on the idea of making "cat lady" a cool thing to be. We're not crazy... we're just crazy about cats!

Here's a study that came out this week from PetSmart. They talk about a great point... if we can convince more people to have cats... we can save more cats! :) Good stuff!

It’s time for a “cattitude” adjustment: PetSmart Charities™ survey reveals changing feelings about cats and cat people

(Phoenix) — Goodbye, crazy cat lady. Hello, cool cat parent. A new survey released by PetSmart Charities™ reveals that while the gap in the way we perceive cats and dogs remains huge, most people think that negative stereotypes about cats and cat people are wrong and that changing these stereotypes will help more cats get adopted.

PetSmart Charities commissioned the nationwide survey of more than 1,000 Americans in February to learn whether or not cats’ popularity in Internet videos and memes is actually benefiting them in real life — especially homeless cats who face an uncertain future in shelters.

The “truth” about cats and dogs
A majority of respondents said cats are intelligent, loving, cuddly and attractive, but negative stereotypes like “moody,” “stubborn,” “aloof” and “grouchy” also sprung to mind. Fewer than half thought cats were protective, loyal, or friendly.

Meanwhile, most respondents described dogs as friendly, loyal, protective and loving.

The survey also showed that negative stereotypes affect perceptions of cat owners and cat lovers. Most pervasive is the “cat lady” — nearly half (49 percent) of survey participants still buy into this stereotype.

Change is in the air for cats (and their owners)
It’s not all bad news for cats, though. Over half of respondents said the negative stereotypes about cats are untrue (56 percent), and nearly three-quarters said stigmas about cat owners are outdated (71 percent). Almost two-thirds believe too many people have negative impressions of cat owners.

Additionally, consider the following statistics:

• Most respondents said they like cats (82 percent).
• Three-quarters said they believe cats make great pets (77 percent) and they would be proud to say they have a cat (78 percent).
• Over half of survey participants believe that more people would have a cat if the stereotypes about cats and their owners were removed (56 percent).

Cat lovers can help cats the most
For cat lovers who think twice about posting that selfie with their cat, the survey shows they should share it. Respondents said friends and family who have cats are their most common sources of information about cats (74 percent), followed by their past (66 percent) or current (54 percent) experience having a cat. However, only one-third of cat owners are sharing about their cats on social media. Cat lovers can combat the stereotypes and boost people’s perceptions of cats and their owners by spreading the word about their awesome cats.

“Our survey shows that America is ready for a major ‘cattitude’ adjustment. It’s time to end the stereotypes around cats and cat people to help more cats get adopted,” said Jan Wilkins, executive director, PetSmart Charities. “That starts with cat owners proudly sharing how cats make wonderful pets and enrich our lives.”

PetSmart Charities wants to know what makes your adopted cat an incredible pet. Tell us on Twitter by following PetSmart Charities (@PetSmartChariTs) and by using the hashtag #savecats.


ABOUT PETSMART CHARITIES™
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 400,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through our adoption program in all PetSmart™ stores and our sponsored adoption events. PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America, with a focus on funding spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, independent from PetSmart, Inc.

ABOUT THE SURVEY
The PetSmart Charities research was fielded via Toluna Analytics to 1,022 U.S.-based respondents during the period from February 11 – 14, 2015. It has a +/- 3% margin of error.

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Fun Fact from the Cat Lady Survey!

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Yesterday I asked you all to take my Cat Lady Survey, and some of the results that came back were really fun and interesting -- and even surprising!

First, I want to thank everyone for participating. I wanted some input on some things, and I knew the Cat Ladies (and the rest of you here!) were the perfect people to ask! Thank you!

(Psst... if you haven't taken the Cat Lady Survey yet, please do - click here! There's still time!)

Here's one fun fact that stood out.

How do you stack up? Is 4.48 cats a "crazy cat lady" or is it more than 4.48 cats that gets you there? Apparently I need 1.48 more cats to be catch up and be at least average!

I'll share more soon. This is fun!

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