The Joys of Cat Ownership

Posted in Blogging, Home, Writing.

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I was never really a ‘cat person’. I grew up with dogs – big, hairy, smelly dogs that bounded around the house and came everywhere with us. We were dog lovers through and through. Cats were for wimps.

When I moved into my own place, I missed the companionship of a pet. From fish to hamsters to guinea pigs to the aforementioned canines, I’d always had a pet by my side… but working full time meant a dog was out of the question. Still under the impression I was definitely not a cat person, I spent a few years pet-free.

Then, I started freelancing and working from home. I was toying with the idea of bringing in a dog to keep me company during the day, when an email from an ex-colleague popped into my inbox. Her cat had kittens, and they’d all been adopted except one. She attached a slightly blurry photo of this ball of black fluff, and I was sold. Rob needed no convincing – he’s had cats forever and it was love at first sight.

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Travis came to live with us in early September 2011. He was a tiny, timid bundle of nerves in our big living room. But he soon settled in, and now he’s the king of the house.

He’s a funny fella with a real personality, strutting about with his tail in the air or sitting on the wall outside our house, charming passersby with his croaky meow and big yellow eyes. He definitely rules the roost – we don’t have a cat flap so have to let him in and out at his every whim, he sleeps on our bed (sometimes on the pillow above my head) and if we’re returning from a day out, he’ll meow loudly from his perch on the wall as if we’ve been away too long.

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I’d never realised just how much love and affection cats can give. They’ve got a reputation as standoffish types who don’t need human attention, thank you very much – but they’re far from it. Travis brings so much joy to our house, and I can’t imagine our little family without him.

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ETA: A few people mentioned they’d love a cat but couldn’t have one because of pet restrictions in rented properties. I live in a rented house and when Rob and I moved in, we were told pets weren’t allowed. When the opportunity to home Travis came up, I emailed our letting agency and explained the situation. I politely asked if it’d be possible to have him with reassurances that furniture would be protected and the house would be thoroughly cleaned, and the request was passed on to our landlord. He was reluctant but wanted to keep good tenants, so agreed. We have 6-monthly inspections and Travis charms the pants off them every time 😉

Are you a cat person? Tell me your kitty tales!

32 Comments

Scarlett

Cats all the way! My family has had cats since I was born – I was born at home and my cats saw me before my dad did – but a couple of years ago, they both died and after a year or so pet-less, we got two new adorable kittens. They’re over a year old now and I know exactly what you mean when you say you couldn’t imagine your family without Travis – we’re exactly the same in my house! xx

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Mel

Travis is such a handsome chap!

I have always been a crazy cat lady, we got Lily four years ago too and from the minute that ball of fluff came into my life it was love. She is literally my baby haha!

She’s definitely got “catitude” but I wouldn’t change her, she hates everything most days but I still get those rare moments of loving from her!

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Emma Cossey

I wasn’t a cat person at all. But I ended up getting a kitten for many of the same reasons as you – and I’ve become a total cat mum! They’re fairly clean, affectionate, intelligent and so sweet. Even my pet-hating boyfriend goes all mushy around her. She’s a total princess and brings so much happiness to my home.

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dani

love this post! my cats don’t always act like they like me but i couldn’t be without them! cats just make the day better!

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Cherry

I absolutely love cats, I’ve had them since I was young. I was heartbroken when mine died, but now I’m feeling ready for a new little ball of fluff for my new house. Your post has gone a long way in persuading me further!

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Kristina

Travis looks like my little cat monkey. So cute.
I, like you, also thought I was a dog person till two kittens appeared in my garden. They were ferals so it took a while for them to be tamed, but it was so worth it. I can’t imagine being without them now.

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Lizzy

Firstly, what a handsome devil that Travis is! I was never a pet person – we had an animal free house when I was growing up – until my brother found ‘Caribou’, a beautiful black kitten, abandoned in a cat carrier on the porch of his flat. She is now about 18 months old, and a total madam. But as you said, unexpectedly affectionate – every time I go home to visit my parents she instantly latches on to me and spends most of the time parked in my lap. So my destiny as a crazy cat lady is assured!

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AliceLily

Im definitely a cat person 🙂 really miss mine now i am at uni. Definitely looking forward to having my own place in the future with a couple of cats 🙂 xx

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Jetleyface

Always always been a total cat lady, when I was younger I begged and begged for my mum to get one to no avail. So when a friend of my sisters sent me a picture of a tiny, fluffy kitten and I could finally have one in my own house, I was sold! I’ve had my kitten (Tuna) for around 6 months and he’s the biggest bundle of love ever, he also meows if I’m out for too long! x

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Mel

Also this shows how crazy I am commenting twice on a cat post but to explain a little why non-cat people can suddenly become all gooey and doe-eyed over a cat once they’ve lived with one is that they have this clever (or maybe gross) little thing where they actually infect humans with a parasite that makes us love them more!! Plus stroking a cat is proven to lower your blood pressure and hearing purring calms us down so we do benefit from living with a feline pal!

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Mancunian Vintage

He’s absolutely gorgeous – and he knows it!

My friend has two cats, but having only ever owned dogs before(like you) so she treated them like dogs.

These are cats that sit on command, follow her around like dogs and are always begging for food!

But they’re still happy being out all hours of the day and night, and coming back when they want to for a cuddle.

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Helen

I am much more of a dog person but we have thought about getting a cat but I’ve never really known any cats and never know how to act around them! I know that probably sounds really weird but I wouldn’t want to get a pet that I then didn’t like. I did that far too many times with fish and hamsters when I was little! Haha! Realised I was too scared of holding the hamsters cos they would bite me… I always get a bit scared around all cats because Scott’s Mum’s cat is a bit of a wild one and likes to attack people, so I think they’re all going to lash out at me! Travis is a cutie.

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Livi TeePot

awww he’s a cutey!

We’ve adopted next door’s cat because he got one (actually he got 3 but that’s a long story) and then didn’t feed it, now he lives in our shed (we also have 2 dogs and a guinea pig of our own) and spends his time hunting and taunting the dogs! He’s a real character and adores human companionship.

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Amy

My family rescued a Persian cat from a rescue center and when she came to us, you wouldn’t have known her to be a cat, let alone a persian. She was bald in places, what fur she did have was clumpy, she was skinny and terrified of everything, especially men. 6 years later she rules the roost, with luscious thick hair and flirts (yes, flirts) with every male that comes into our house.

I would never write off a rescue pet, no matter how dire their situation is- all they need is love! (And sometimes some jabs…)

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intoruth

I had the same situation when I moved into my little flat, my landlords don’t inspect our place but little Doll has charmed them when they’ve needed to pop over. She gets hair everywhere and isn’t as cuddly as Travis seems to be but I wouldn’t have her any other way and I think she does miss me when I’m at work, even if she would never tell me.

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Katy Scarlett

I’ve always been a cat and dog person but I’ve ALWAYS had cats, most have died of old age and we kept adding to a family each time a kitty left ours. I have recently lost both my cats in the short space of six weeks from being hit by cars, Henry was 3 and ted was 10 months old. I wish I could say the joy of having them outweighs the pain of losing them, but I’m not sure it does.

Travis is an absolute beauty, you are truly lucky.

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Nadia

We live in a rented flat and have a cat too. If your landlord isn’t a full time landlord they probably just use a standard contract that the letting agents give them, they aren’t always bother about pets. We asked ours and since our flat is unfurnished, he doesn’t mind our kitty.

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LS

He is beautiful, my parents have two “tuxedo” cats and they are just so stunning. I cannot imagine our home without a cat, we have a 5 year old naughty tortie called Izzy. She too sleeps on our bed, my colleagues cringe and think we’re crazy so glad to read it’s not just us who allow the cat on the bed! She also sleeps in the cot when the baby isn’t in it and is a real lap cat. Travis is very lucky and clearly adored, my heart breaks when I hear about cats being thrown out with the rubbish. I’d end up with 12 cats if my husband didn’t put his foot down every time we hear of kittens for sale or the Cats Protection do a rehoming appeal!!

Louise
whatlouwore365.blogspot.com

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Claire

I love this little post about Mr Travis and all the cat love comments! Last year my boyfriend and I adopted two black kittens from an unexpected litter from a friend of a friend. We named them Dexter and Moss and our lives have never been the same. They are very different characters, one stocky and round and all about cuddles, the other leggy and sleek and much more boisterous but they are so loveable and nothing brightens my day more than seeing them curled up together sharing a snuggle when they think we aren’t looking!

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Lucy Loves To Blog

I’m definitely a cat person, I always have been! I have two little boys and with my mums four we have six in our house which can get interesting. Mine are so affectionate and like Travis mine both sleep above or on my head!

Cats are the best.

Lucy Loves To Blog

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Little Miss Pepperpot

I’ve always had cats and am a total ‘cat person’! Ours is a big fluffy ginger tom cat called Jarvis and he bosses not just us around but the entire street! We have a 1 year old labradoodle too and Jarvis is very cute with her, if a little cheeky (patting her on the head repeatedly – to her total bemusement – if we ignore his pleas to be let out), so they’re best of friends (most of the time)!
x

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Myah

I have a cat (though I too am a dog lover)and I love him to pieces. His name is Rascal and he is just that, a chunky little rascal. He has a huge personality and I totally agree that like your Travis, he brings an immense amount of joy to my life. Having a cat is like having a child, albeit a four legged child who meows instead of talks. But I feel like he is apart of my family and I can’t imagine my life without him in it. I’ve had him for almost a whopping thirteen years and he is still as feisty as ever. He is a sweet, sweet energetic animal and I feel incredibly fortunate to have him in my life!
http://www.thehappyhealthywholegirl.blogspot.com

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Charlie

My cat is called Millie – renamed from Brandy – we got her from Battersea and I love her from the tips of her claws to the end of her tail! Gooooo cats!!!

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Charlie

My cat is called Millie – renamed from Brandy – we got her from Battersea and I love her from the tips of her claws to the end of her tail! Gooooo cats!!!

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