15

The Long Recovery: Excerpts from Onyx’s Diary

Sgt Stripes here. We’ve been a little worried about Onyx. True, she is an anti-social drama queen most of the time, but she is Blondie’s therapy cat. And she didn’t really step into the role they way we thought she would.

    

Snoops: Not at all. I had to be the get-well kitty most of the time.

Sgt Stripes: I helped.

Angel: Me too.

Gypsy: Sorry, guys. I don’t really do well around sick humans.

Angel: No one expected you to help. You’re still neurotic from whatever happened to you before we met you.

Gypsy: I’m not neurotic. I’m careful.

Sgt Stripes: She’s not really your human anyway. You seem to be bonding more with Mom.

Gypsy: She is the one who took care of me when I moved in here.

Sgt Stripes: We just think it’s weird how Onyx wasn’t on the front lines.

Gypsy: I found her diary. Maybe that will help figure it out.

March 1, 2025 – Blondie has been extra stressed. She said something about getting a new job. I hope that doesn’t mean we have to move again. I’m really starting to like being the house panther here. As long as I stay upstairs, I really don’t have to worry about anyone invading my turf. Sarge and Gypsy come in once in awhile, but everyone know’s it’s my space.

March 8, 2025 – Blondie is talking about having some kind of surgery on her foot. She won’t be able to walk on it for at least two weeks. I should probably check out my options for when she’s laid up. It probably means that I’m going to need to find someone to get me treats and kibble. And clean my litter box.

March 15, 2025 – I think I have my back-up plan in place if Blondie can’t take care of me after this surgery thing. Mom doesn’t really have a bed buddy since Gypsy started sleeping downstairs. She’s pretty good at cuddles. And she has a tummy warmer on her bed. I need to make sure she has the right treats. I think I’ll be extra-friendly. Just in case.

March 28, 2025 – Blondie’s back, but she’s downstairs. I don’t like it downstairs. There are too many cats who think they rule the place. Snoops and Sgt Stripes are the worst. I’m not sure I can be a therapy cat under these circumstances. I think I’ll have to take a long nap on my new wool blanket and tummy warmer. Sgt Stripes think they’re his, but I have it on good authority that Snoops and Kommando shared that spot.

April 5, 2025 – I could definitely get used to this new room. It has cat TV in two windows. I just need to stay clear of Sgt Stripes. I can’t believe how big he is. And he wants to play Pounce with me. I don’t think he’d do it on purpose, but he could squish me if he landed on me. I heard that Blondie should be back upstairs in a few days. Hope Blondie knows that since I’ve been hanging out in Mom’s room, Gypsy has adopted a pile of clothes on her floor. She’s made a rather nice nest.

April 10,2025 – Guess the doctor told Blondie that she has to stay off her foot for another two weeks. I’ve been going to the top of the stairs to make sure she was still down there. But there are too many cats down there. Snoops seems to be there ALL the time. I thought that was supposed to be my job. I don’t understand why Blondie can’t crawl up here so I can be supportive.

April 19,2025 – Gypsy, Sarge, and I have a pretty good routine going. I have Mom’s room, Gypsy has Blondie’s room, and Sgt Stripes goes wherever he wants. Blondie is supposed to be up here next week. I’m really annoyed that she hasn’t found a way to cuddle with me. I can’t believe she expects me to go downstairs to see her.

April 24, 2025 – Blondie has made it upstairs finally. I don’t want her to think that I missed her. I think I’ll hang out with the small humans tonight. They smell kinda weird, but they have a lot of soft places to sleep in their room. I wonder how long it will take Blondie to apologize for deserting me?

May 2, 2025 – I guess Blondie has had time to realize how poorly she treated me. I will allow her to sleep with me tonight. It’s getting too warm for the tummy warmer anyway.          

    

23

Get a Job! Cats in the Workforce

Man Trying To Work From Home Gets Constantly Interrupted By His Cat, Tricks  It Into Being Calm By Placing A Box On His Desk | Bored Panda

We are very excited that our Mom has finally gotten a new job! She’ll be working days and only has to work one job to support us in our accustomed lifestyle. In honor of that, we decided to look at cats with jobs. As you know, lots of cats have jobs. We add class and sophistication to many places. Basically, there are two major types of employed kitties: “Office Cats” and “Working Cats”. (Mom says she’ll be “working” in an “office,” so we’re a little confused about where she would fit in this post.)

Why do cats purr? | International Cat Care

Personally, we have no desire to work outside the home. However, there are many kitties in shelters who would be wonderful additions to an office. Among the advantages of having an office cat:

We are calming – Petting cats is known to lower human stress levels. Our purring is therapeutic. What could be better than having a cute ball of fur to stroke during a stressful day? Just seeing our furry little faces makes people smile.

Microsoft Teams ar Twitter: "@hobiehenning Hey Hobie, it looks like this is  the PAWfect spot for an afternoon nap during a Teams meeting! What is your  cat's name?" / Twitter

We encourage teamwork – Having an office kitty is a team project. Even if one person is mainly responsible, everyone comes together to take care of the office cat. Who can resist a non-judgmental teammate?

cat-on-computer - Vermont Foodbank

We help prevent burnout – People are encouraged to take short breaks when the office cat comes by wanting attention. Or it’s a good excuse to get up from your desk if you’re struggling with a problem. Short breaks have been proven to help workers recharge and refocus. And we can help type.

So, Should You Be Bringing Your Cat To Work? | Hive

We increase morale – Helping kitties makes humans feel better about themselves. And keeping us out of the shelter is definitely helping.

Barn Cat Adoption - The Cat Corner, Inc.

Of course, just like humans not all kitties belong in offices. In fact, some kitties would just as soon not be around people. But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t excellent workers.

Shelter Offers “Unadoptable” Feral Cats to Hunt Rats for Warehouses,  Neighborhoods With Huge Success

Working cats are experts in vermin control – They find jobs in barns, warehouses, corporate campuses, plant nurseries, wineries, and other places where rodents and other pests are a problem. Working cats also get jobs in stores and churches, although sometimes those require more socialized kitties.

Henry our winery cat | Winery, Cats, Photo and video

We are ecologically friendly and pesticide-free – No need for chemicals if you have a cat (or two) around.

Working Cats Programs Give “Unadoptable” Felines a Safe Home—and a | BeChewy

We are low-maintenance – All we really need is a permanent shelter where we are safe from the elements and other dangers, food, water, and litter.

8 of the World's Hardest-Working Cats

If you think you want a job, but these sound a little mundane, how about one of the following?

Politician – You can be mayor, sit on the City Council, or work on the local School Board.

Cat Selfie - Imgur

Actor – Beware – This usually involved working closely with human actors.

Computer : r/cats

Typist/Writer – You get to spend all your time on the computer! And share your thoughts with the world. Does the world deserve your genius?

Lolcats - therapy - LOL at Funny Cat Memes - Funny cat pictures with words  on them - lol | cat memes | funny cats | funny cat pictures with words on

Therapy Cat – You get paid to get snuggles.

Pro Steampunk ⚙️ on Twitter: ""I'm King of the World"  https://t.co/VZbQDqHtCw" / Twitter

Sailor – Cool breeze in your fur.

Wakayama's workaholic cats - WAttention.com

Train Stationmaster – Make sure the humans are heading in the right direction. Good luck with that.

cat massage Memes - Imgflip

Masseuse – You get to help others relax.

Cat with a cell phone. The cat with a cell phone is on a beach ,  #Sponsored, #cell, #Cat, #phone, #beach, #cat #ad | Cats, Funny animals,  Cute cats

Internet Star – Share your passions and opinions with the world. The world needs more cat content.

Working Cat Program - Planned PEThood of Georgia

What is important about all cats with jobs is that they are cats who are safe and loved (even if it’s from a distance). Every cat who has a position is a kitty who is out of the shelters and off the streets.

How to stay productive while working from home with your cat - Times of  India

Pictures courtesy of Google Images