Dear Sparkle,
My human had this “work” thing she had to go to every day but then suddenly it stopped. She said it was because of something called “downsizing.” I have no idea what that means, but at first I thought it was great because it meant she spent most of the day at home with me. But it has been a few weeks now and she is getting really depressed. She used to come home with toys for me all the time but now she never does and she’s starting to talk about how “bleak” the holidays are going to be. She is starting to depress me too, so is there some way to cheer her up? And what can I do about the toy situation?
Signed,
Bummed in Baltimore
Dear Bummed,
This is what comes from the human reliance on an odd an ineffective monetary system. They spend a huge portion of their waking hours doing something that is usually pretty meaningless, just so they can get a bunch of paper together — also meaningless — so they can obtain things that are necessary for their survival. I don’t understand why they never figured out how to adapt the Kitty Model to their way of life. We cats sleep more than we are awake and when we need things that are necessary for our survival, whether shelter, food or some recreational entertainment, we go directly to whatever it is and get it. Seems simple, right? But humans always have to complicate things because they think they can do it better than us kitties. And then something like this happens and it all falls apart.
But enough of my editorializing. There are two ways you can go with your situation. You can cheer up your human by entertaining her with homemade toys you come up with yourself, or you can make her so crazy that she will redouble her efforts to find another work thing, just so she can get out of the house and spend some time away from you! Actually, you can combine these two scenarios simply by your choice of homemade toys. If you use things you dig out of the trash — torn paper bags, small empty containers etc. — while using some of the near empty cat food cans and treat bags to lick and snack on, that is bound to put a little joy in your life while driving your human up a wall. You can also use small makeup containers and pens you find around the house as your homemade toys and once they inevitably get lost under the sofa or refrigerator, your human will go nuts trying to figure out where they are. Another idea: treat the blinds like mortal enemies and go in for the attack! This kind of behavior on your part may not exactly cheer up your human, but it is bound to make her forget her misery.
Actually, instead of moping around and dragging you down with her, you know what else your human could do? Maybe she should use some of that overload of free time she currently has to volunteer at her local cat rescue. That is definitely bound to make her feel better, get her out of the house so she stops depressing you, and who knows? Maybe she will meet some people who can help her find work. And then she can get back to being a cog in the ineffective human monetary system, which is what she wanted to begin with.
Excellent advice as always, YRH — and we respectfully add to it, “How about that tried-and-true cheer-up action: leave an expired rodent, insect, lizard, or perhaps a combo plate, in her shoe!” 😆 (And of course, we PURRfectly agree about the silly human ways of doing, well, amost eFURRYthing! *sigh*)
My human volunteers at a no kill shelter. She was doing so before she was laid off in 2011. It is great therapy to get out of the house and love on kitties! It can be as simple as brushing cats or dogs to spending hours cleaning at the shelter.
Ah, being a “cog in the ineffective human monetary system”. You said something there. Sometimes it’s not so bad to be a cog, but it gets old pretty fast!
💡 Sparkel ya haz grrreat ideaz to helped BUMMED fer shure!! Goin to a kitteh or poochie shelter n helpin out iz pawsum…what Mum callz a win-win situashun!!!
Purrhapz Bummed needz to refink diz idea of Catmess too..Mum n me agreed 1 or 2 little prezziez are enuff cause just bein wif each other n havin sum tuna-tuna iz what iz impawtent….we iz prezziez fer each other 😉
Much lub frum Nylablue xxxx
As always excellent advice Sparkle! When my human lost her job back in 2007, that’s when she increased her volunteering with cat groups and now most of her life revolves around cats which is a good thing! I also might add that my human’s pony tail hair bands make excellent toys as well! Meow and Namaste! ~ Pippy the Feline Yogini
Humans – can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
EXACTLY what Mom and Dad did when her business went under AND he lost his job….and all 3 of their before me kitties dashed to The Bridge within 8 months…they went to Kitty Corner to volunteer and FOUND ME!
Pawsome suggestions !
Especially the one on being a helper at a Catshelter
XOXO
Sparkle, as always you impress with your wit and wisdom. “Make her so crazy”…. BRILL!
Lots of good suggestions, Sparkle. Guess what Sparkle, we caught Meowma reading this blog, too. She was laughing her tushie off.
She said it was because of your funny phrase turns. ❓ What are phrase turns Sparkle. ❓
Purrs,
Jasmine, Joey, Eddie & Rosie
Those are wonderful suggestions, Sparkle.
A nice big kitty cuddle helps too.
xo
Very smart as always Sparkle
the best way to keep them occupied is to make them give you a blog. You do need to have at least 1 peeps with a job otherwise you’ll have to catch mice for supper cos all those little cans of food cost lots of money
Drive her up a wall to get her out of the house…hahaha… good advice 😉
That is some great advice, Sparkle! When the female human was laid off some years ago, she started volunteering at our local shelter. It really helped her a lot!
Great advice Sparkle!
That final piece of advice was purrfect! We hope Bummed can help out their human. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Some good advice Sparkle. You are a smart kitty.
You did it again – super advice friend. I especially like the part about volunteering at an animal shelter. That would help her forget about her problems and bring a smile to her face.
I agree, great advise Sparkle. You never know who you will meet at a shelter that may end up helping a human too.
Sparkle you are a wise kitty. One must stay busy and keep their mind active
Hugs Madi your bfff
Sparkle that is some great advice. My human was a victim of downsizing in 2007. She was depressed til around 2009. That is when she and I started blogging and it HAS helped soooo much! Love, Cody
That is such good advice, to go volunteer at a shelter. We like those home made toys too. We can usually make a toy out of most anything. Take care.
That was excellent advice Sparkle.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Excellent advice, Sparkle. Our human says it wouldn’t take much for us to drive her out of the house, desperate to be away from us for a few hours. LOL.
Thanks for stopping by Fuzzy Tales. Our human has had the thought (scary) that perhaps some or all of the homeopathic meds she gives us are causing Nicki’s elevated ALT values. She’s going to stop everything for the next few months and have him retested when she takes him back for his anal glands. We’re glad he’s normal otherwise, except for that abysmally low Free T4, which is a puzzle.
Excellent advice once again, Sparkle.
So right, Miss S. This is a good time to point out, taking care of our hoomins and showing them the right way to do things is one of a kitteh’s most important responsibilities. After all, we all know they can’t take care of themselves.
That is some excellent advice you have given there, Sparkle.
Could you also advise on how Charlie could take his turn looking out the kitchen window?
Great advice! Our mommy believes it’s good therapy to help someone when you’re depressed no matter the job status. Helping fur balls is always an excellent idea! Happy Furday!
That is good advice Sparkle.
We like the volunteering at a shelter part.
That way, the kitty can be at home,getting their naps 😉
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie