#AtoZChallenge: C is for Interview With a … Cat?

photo credit: DocChewbacca More dangerous than a Sarlacc via photopin (license)

Pigs have guest posted on this very page.

Well, one pig. Bacon “Bake” Thompson hogged this space with a guest post a while back. My buddy Janine Huldie held the mic and let the swine writer set his hooves to work on the keyboard.

I’ve written about our empty cupboard, and the lessons learned as I filled it up.

I’ve started over and over again, keying on the man in the Rockies cap – me – for my own revolution. Today in the #AtoZChallenge, I’ve interviewed an actual cat – Yoyo – one you might recognize if you read Pat’s blog, New Bloggy Cat.

Yoyo.

Coach Daddy: So when you were a kitten, what did you think you’d grow up to be?

Yoyo: I got to put my thinking cat on for this question. You know, it’s been a while since I was a kitten. Okay, when I was a kitten, I thought I’d grow up to be a famous mewreosurgeon or a clawyer but I realized that I can’t stand the sight of blood and I’m not a very good liar. Then I wanted I’d be a journalist for the local mewspaper but they said they do not hire cats. Can you believe it? I thought of becoming a mewsician but I was not very mewsical and after that, I learn a second language so I could be a linguist. Woof! Woof!

Coach Daddy: That’s a tough road for a cat. I thought that court case … what was it? Calico vs. South Dakota – didn’t that win cats’ rights in the workplace?

Yoyo: Ah … yes, but that is in the United States. In this part of the world, I’m sad to say that we’re in a catastrophic situation when it comes to claw-making. For the past five cat years, the claw-makers here are just talking scratching and no cations had been taken to improve the claws in this country. Such a mewsance, isn’t it?

Coach Daddy: Sounds like it. I can pretend to know the struggle, but you know, I really can’t. Opposable thumbs and lack of retractable claws and all. Despite the odds, how did you end up writing?

Yoyo: Well, I wanted to do something different from other cats. Cats, as you know, are known to be opinionated, aloof and selfish. And I thought it’s time to make a difference. Besides, napping and eating all day is not doing my body and my 9 lives souls any good. It is time to serve rather than being served all the time. You know, unlike the tail-waggers who were such great servants of God. Gosh! I often wonder where they got their enthusiasm and loyalty from?

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So, four years ago, I started a blog. Blog in the cationary means Big Lesson On Giving. I figure a blog is a fun way to spread some love, joy, and laughter. Blogging is also a great way to exercise my brain cells and helps keep my brain young.

Coach Daddy: I could use that you know? A younger brain. How many of your nine lives are still left?

Yoyo: Good question, Eli. I have been thinking about the 9-lives for a while now and I believe it’s a myth. You and I know that humans and all living creatures on earth have only one life. We cats are just fortunate to be able to cheat death nine times due to our hardy nature and built-in acrobatic skills. Cats would survive catastrophic incidents where humans would term it as miracles. Like all cats, I am without exception, an adventurous explorer and fearless acrobat.

Cats love to lie across the bars on laundry racks, on the edges of windows, balconies, narrow beams and tall buildings. In the human world, this is what they call ‘living life on the edge.’ I gather I still have five lives left but I’m not taking these chances to cheat death for granted anymore. I’m not getting any younger and my acrobatic skills are not as flawless and graceful like before.

I suppose there’s a wisdom we acquire as we get older, right? What big lessons have you learned in those first four lives, as it were?

I got to paws for a while to recap on the big lessons learned. Here we go:

1. Falling Failing is necessary

Some of us would do anything to avoid failures. It is okay to fail. Failure is the proof that we have tried. Learn from the mistakes and move on. Taking risks and falling down flat is part of life journey to help us grow and become better and more resilient.

2. Develop a positive catitude

A positive catitude means being optimistic and looking for the good in things, rather than focusing on the bad in things. Always see the bright side of things and expect the best to happen.

3. Appreciate those around you

We tend to take our loved ones for granted. It is when they are no longer beside us comes the realization that we had taken them for granted. So, learn to appreciate everyone while they are still here. Be grateful and let them know that you care about them and that you are grateful they are in your life.

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4. Keep life simple

The older I get, the more I admire the simple life. A simple life for me is getting rid of some of life’s complexities and obligations so I can spend more time with my loved ones and friends. And do more of the things I love. It also means getting rid of the clutter, eliminating all but the essential. An overall simple life will give me more space for joy, peace, contentment and cat naps.

Coach Daddy: We could learn a lot from a cat. All we all really need is a litter box, a bed, a couple of toys, a scratching post and a lap to curl up on, right?

Yoyo: That’s right, Eli. As you know cats are self-reliant. We love to be alone and we enjoy taking naps. Solitude helps us to connect with our inner selves and napping help to keep our bodies healthy and our minds happy.

Coach Daddy: Any advice for us, your bipedal friends?

Yes, of course, but I’ll keep it short, though:

Life is too short to entertain worry, fear, and anxiety. Be curious and explore your surroundings. Don’t work too hard. Remember that rest and relaxation are the keys to a healthy and happy life. And there’s always time for a cat nap.