Learning and Loving Your Cats’ Personalities

How did your pets first come into your life? I vividly remember meeting my cats. I attended an adoption fair to see ten-week-old litter mates named Sophie and James Bond. On the drive there I tried to keep an open mind so I wouldn't be disappointed if the fit wasn't right, but the moment I laid eyes on them, I was a goner. They were so tiny that I could hold them in the cup of my palms! Yet as adorable as they were then, nothing could have prepared me for how I've come to love them as their personalities have emerged. So when Fancy Feast asked me to take part in their #WaystoWow campaign, which celebrates the launch of new Broths with Chicken, I immediately thought of the many quirks that make my cats such irreplaceable members of my family—and the many different ways I show them I love them. 

First up is James Bond. He takes his style cues from the debonaire spy, and he definitely shares 007's sense of adventure, but when it comes to tight situations he's not as smooth as his namesake. On countless occasions I've had to rescue JB from his curious nature: his paw caught in the printer, his head lodged beneath a doorjamb, his tail wound inextricably around the handles of a plastic bag. Because he's such an adventurous fellow, I engage him daily with games of chase or with simple toys like string and bottle caps. That way he spends his energy playing rather than getting into trouble!

There's another reason James Bond could never be a secret agent: he's 16 pounds of solid fluff! His steps announce his approach with their audible 'thump, thump, thump', and his tail has a habit of knocking over everything in its wake. But what JB lacks in stealth, he more than makes up for in confidence. With a strident yowl, a swat of his giant paw, or a look of pure disdain, he lets you know exactly what he wants. And heaven forbid you interrupt his daily nap in the storage drawers beneath the bed! James Bonds' big presence demands big-time attention, so I answer his meows with my own human commentary. I guess that makes me a crazy lady who talks to her cats, but believe me that he holds his own in the conversation!

If James Bond is the brawn of the operation, then Sophie is definitely the brains. She lets JB do the heaving lifting and slips in to reap the rewards. While he's batting my nose at 5 am to wake me for breakfast, she's watching from the sidelines. While he's trolling the counters for scraps, she's waiting for whatever morsels his tail inevitably sweeps to the ground. It's so easy to imagine her whispering ideas into her big brother's head, then sitting back to chuckle as he makes mayhem! Because she's more delicate, she definitely requires a lighter touch. I can't strong arm her into a cuddle like I can her brother! When I know she's due for a cuddle, I drape her favorite blanket across my lap and call her name. She'll come running so long as the snuggle is on her own terms!

Sophie goes to great lengths to maintain her angelic image. In fact, she's something of a diva. She knows all her best angles, is always ready for her closeup, and manages to find the best sunlight in any situation. If she catches you admiring her, she'll hold your gaze as she rolls on her back and kneads the air with her claws—as if to say, "Who, me? Cute? No! Not this girl! Just stop! Actually, tell me more." I treat Sophie like the princess she is by ensuring that the pillows on the bed are fluffed exactly to her liking, smack dab in the middle of a sun puddle.

Never let it be said that Sophie doesn't pull her weight around the house, though! If there's a basket of clean laundry, she'll keep it warm until you're ready to fold it. If you're working to meet a tight deadline, she'll sit on your keyboard and suggest insightful edits. And if you're making the bed, she will be all over it. Literally. Our favorite game to play together involves me parachuting the duvet high into the air while Sophie dashes around on the mattress beneath then freezes as the linens settle around her. It's like kitty peek-a-boo! 

In truth, I can never thank my cats enough for the joy they bring to my life. But I can sure try! For all the many facets of my cats' personalities, there's a way to WOW them—to care for their health, to shower them with affection, and to let them know the special place they occupy in my heart. Fancy Feast Broths are full of real, recognizable ingredients and come carefully portioned, making them a perfect part of a loving and responsible pet care routine. If your cats are picky (um, I mean discerning!) like mine, you can sign up to try a free sample from Fancy Feast. James Bond and Sophie have definitely given it the '5am wakeup' paw of approval!

Disclosure: I created this piece in collaboration with Fancy Feast Broths. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The City Sage going!