On My Own Terms: How I Like To Be Petted

The following video from Jackson Galaxy got me thinking about how I like to be petted.


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I don't have any problems with Mum petting me as she has the best hands ever and she is gentle and loving with her petting and stroking. She is sensitive to my needs and always knows when I've had enough of the stroking. She also has healing hands, and I love it so much. Sometimes I just want to have her give me Reiki because it feels so good!

A photo posted by Athena (@athenawisekitty) on Nov 20, 2014 at 9:47am PST

Unfortunately, there are some people that just have no idea about how to stroke a cat.  Ever been stroked by a really rough heavy hand? Oh, no thanks! Please go away, heavy handed person. You obviously haven't a clue what a cat likes. Especially a lady goddess like myself.

A photo posted by Athena (@athenawisekitty) on Oct 14, 2014 at 3:45am PDT

What I like is lots of gentleness. Lots of soft energy. Sometimes I jump onto Mum's lap and just sink down and enjoy all the petting. I purr so happily and this makes her pet me more. I show her how much I like it by turning up to look at her and then I give her my super-loving heartmelting gaze. We are then in this bubble of healing loving light.

A photo posted by Athena (@athenawisekitty) on Oct 22, 2014 at 3:46am PDT

Click on this video to see how happy and content I am as I sleep on Mum's lap.

A video posted by Athena (@athenawisekitty) on Jan 7, 2015 at 3:20am PST

So here is what I don't like again: Rough petting from smelly hands. Hard and pushy so that it feels like I'm being pressed down into the ground. Don't pet me after you've been petting another cat. Wash your hands first! Actually, wash your hands anyway because I don't know where they've been!

Please Don't Give Your Cat These Foods!

You humans are so looking forward to Christmas aren't you? You just can't wait for all the festivities and fun to start (some of you have already started, I know).

Those over indulgences and excesses.

Oh, why do you do it? WHY?

Ok, enough of the lecture.

This is a reminder that the following foods must never be given to cats on Christmas Day (and any other day for that matter).

• Raisins
• Grapes
• Chocolate
• Nuts
• Turkey bones
• Garlic
• Onions
• Alcohol!

Always be sure to read the ingredients of everything before you let it go anywhere near your cat as it may contain the above and can be very toxic to your furry friends and babies!

For example, mince pies contain raisins and they are definitely not good for your cat!

As for alcohol - we don't know why anyone would ever give any to a cat or any pet (Mum says it's animal cruelty), but it can happen. For example, if under the influence of the demon drink a human may think it funny to give to a cat. Or  maybe kitty himself, curious as he is, may want to see what all the fuss is about. And really, would any cat be dumb enough to do that? Mmmm... I don't know. Maybe. Personally, the stink of alcohol makes me want to puke. When Mum is drinking wine I really don't want any kisses from her!

But anyway, Athena the wise kitty, named after the dear wise Goddess, says never touch alcohol! Oh, I wish my mum wouldn't, I can tell you!

Have a fabulous holiday, whatever you are doing. And if you are having a quiet one with your pets (like Mum and I), enjoy the peace and quiet and the chance to have extra snuggles on the sofa.

Love and purrs xx

We leave you with this video from the cat daddy himself, Jackson Galaxy.

Melt Your Heart Monday

Marie: How cute is this, Athena! Cat mummy and kitten hug. Aww...
Athena: Reminds me of you and me, Mum.
Marie: I know, sweetie. That's why it melts my heart so...



Athena: That's so sweet. Purrs xx. How about another video today?
Marie: Why not?
Athena: How about this trailer of the new series of the Supervet, which is back on our screens here in England on Wednesday. I know how much you love that show, Mum. I'm not so keen of course (and many kitties will understand this - just the mere mention of the word vet is super scary for us).
Marie: I know, sweetie. And I'm the most squeamish human ever to exist, as you know, but I can't help but love this programme. Noel Fitzpatrick is amazing and his passion for animals and what he does is extremely heartwarming to watch. He truly has an understanding for the human-animal bond.
Athena: I have to agree, Mum. With some vets I've encountered you just don't get that, but this man is different. He is so passionate about what he does (and he is very nice, I give him that) I suppose you could say he is an angel -  an animal angel just like you and many of our pet blogger friends and lots of other animal lovers around the world.
Marie: I think he's remarkable and his staff are too - from what I've seen in the documentary. And I love watching how humans and animals love and appreciate him too. There is just so much love and compassion going round. It's incredible. Hey, Athena, I've just had a thought. Wouldn't it be great if we could interview Noel Fitzpatrick for this blog? I suppose it won't happen though, just as it can't happen with Ian Somerhalder and Jackson Galaxy. Oh, and James Bowen (and Bob of course!) and many other famous cat-loving humans. Our blog just isn't famous enough.
Athena: You mean I'm not famous enough? Come on, Mum. Don't let it get you down. I know it's Monday morning but look on the bright side. Our blog is getting so many new visits now! It'll happen. How could it not? I'm a beautiful goddess cat! I'll make it happen. And you will have your dream of a cat sanctuary soon, don't you worry about that. Now here's the Supervet trailer for the new series to cheer you up.

 

Marie: It doesn't really cheer me up, sweetie. I just hate seeing animals suffer. It tears me up inside.
Athena: But you are looking forward to watching, aren't you? Something to fill the void left on Wednesday night after your fave show Our Zoo ended last week?
Marie: Yes, you are right, Athena. Of course I am looking forward to it. It's only four episodes, though. It'll fly by.
Athena: Oh, Mum, you always find the downside in everything!
Marie: You are so right. But I can't help it, sweetheart.
Athena: Come on, Mum. Let me sit on your lap and give you extra purrs today. I can see that you need it. And then we can have a nice afternoon nap together to make up for my waking you up at 5am.

Separation Anxiety: I hate it when my mum leaves me alone

I'm not a scaredy cat. Unlike most cats, I do not fear many things. Anything that appears scary at first I like to investigate. But I hate it when I'm alone. Even when my mum is upstairs I start to meow for her to come down. If she doesn't hear me I pick up my soft toy and carry it upstairs in my mouth to give her as a gift.

With the toy I always gift to my mum

Anyone know why I do this? Mum thinks there could be many reasons why I meow and take my toy to her. For example:

• I want feeding. 
• I want attention. 
• I want to play. 
• I'm lonely.
• I want to hunt.
• I just like to annoy her. 
• I hate being left alone.

Luckily, she doesn't like to go out much and she rarely leaves me alone for long because she works from home. But I don't like to be left entirely alone in the house for even an hour. For some reason, I start to panic.

When she took me to the pet hotel  a while ago, I got worse because I felt like I'd done something wrong and that she had dumped me and would never come back for me. Ever since that awful time I've been more afraid of being left alone.

Do other kitties feel the same? How do you handle it when your humans go away? If you're an only cat like me I can imagine it gets scary and you feel abandoned, right? 

 Here is what Jackson Galaxy has to say about separation anxiety.