Grumpy Cat recently won $710,000 in a copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit. Or rather, the winner was the Grumpy Cat machine, inspired by the dour face of Tardar Sauce, a small cat with a type of dwarfism. My human posted this BBC story on a cat blogging group she belongs to, and there was a lot of debate over whether Tard was being exploited, and whether this was good for her wellbeing.
Which brings me to the question, when is it okay to have a public cat, and when are the cat’s humans going too far?
The only ones who can answer that, really, are the humans who live with and are responsible for the cat. However the cat is treated, I’m sure they know in their hearts whether it is right or wrong.
I don’t know for sure how well Grumpy Cat is treated as a pet — because no matter what, she is a pet first, and a public figure second. My human has met Grumpy Cat and her human a couple of times, and it all seems a bit awkward. For all she knows, it could be because Tard’s human is not someone who has any training being in front of people. She came from humble beginnings, and having this cat as a pet was a fluke. What may seem like exploitation on the outside could also just be a human handling sudden fortune in the only way she knows how.
Public Cats With Humans Who Do It Right
My human is more comfortable with a couple of other public cats she has met. Both Lil BUB and Oskar the Blind Cat have human caretakers who visibly love them. You can feel the attachment when you meet them. (This doesn’t mean that Grumpy Cat’s family doesn’t love her, just that it’s not as obvious to someone seeing them out and about.) Both Mike Bridavsky (Lil BUB’s “dude”) and Oskar’s human, Mick Szydlowski, make it clear that they put the needs of their charges first. They also make sure that proceeds from their cats’ public works go to charity to help less fortunate pets. Lil BUB and Oskar rise above the quirks of their special needs — they are inspiring, fun, and full of life.
So, What About Me?
I may not be as famous as any of these kitties, but I am a very public cat. My therapy work and my appearances at cat shows involve interacting with dozens of humans. Over the course of a two-day cat show, the number may be in the hundreds! I wear dresses and do tricks. I fly on planes a few times a year! But you know what? I actually enjoy it. When my human and I go somewhere and we reach our destination, the first thing she does is take me out of my carrier. And I purr and can’t wait to start exploring. If somebody wants to pet me, that is awesome.
I also purr when I get to practice my tricks, or go out on my harness and leash. I’ve been a public kitty since I was four months old and competed in my first cat show. It’s a life I’m used to and I love.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m exploiting my human by making her spend so much time with me!
But I think we’re okay. And like those more famous felines, I also have a special message I hope I am spreading — that we cats are capable of more than most humans believe, and many cats can do some of the cool things I do! If I encourage people to teach their cats tricks, or leash train them, that is great! I want to be fun and inspiring, like Oskar and Lil BUB, but in my own way.
My human says that as long as I enjoy what I’m doing, and I continue to like meeting people, and traveling, and taking care of patients, we will keep doing it. If I ever decide I don’t like it anymore, we’ll stop. My human stopped having me in competition at cat shows because she could tell I didn’t really like it anymore. She worried it would damage my temperament and the fun I was having with the other things I do. At first it was a temporary break, but then my human saw no reason to make me start again.
I think the difference between being a happy public cat and one who is maybe being exploited boils down to teamwork. My human and I are definitely a team. My human got that same sense from Oskar and Lil BUB and their humans. She also senses that with some of the cats at shows who really seem to love it. When you are part of a team, you are working together. When half of the team wants to retire, you don’t force them to keep on. You retire the team.
So those are my thoughts! What do you think?
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
You are well-loved and cared for, and you enjoy your life. We think you and your mom are on the right track.
We are pretty sure too that your human cares for your wellbeing and loves you lots.
She wants you to be happy and enjoy yourself.
We can see that and think all is well in your home 🙂
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
Ok, this is really hard, but I admit: when I first stumbled upon your blog, I was suspicious and wondering if you really like being so public. I wasn’t a regular reader of your blog at first because … well, because I maybe couldn’t relate to you , to “your kind of cat life”. I’m not interested in clothes and glitter either, I’ve troubles with breeding cats, and so on and so and so on.
With other words: I didn’t only get your blog, I was also having second thoughts. However, over time I got more and more curious about you, mainly because I love your funny (and individual!) comments on other blogs I’m reading. So I kept coming back to your blog because I often had to laugh when I read your comments elsewhere, so I wanted to have more.
Well, and now I’m a regular reader of your blog and changed my mind – while I’m still not interested in clothes and glitter, I don’t have second thoughts anymore. You and your human taught me a lot about cats and I’m really grateful for everything I’ve learned here. Oh, and of course your blog is as entertaining as the comments you leave elsewhere! (I admire you for spending so much time on reading and commenting other blogs, it must be a lot of work!)
We think you are quite right, Summer. First and foremost is the love between the cat and its people. If that isn’t there, then it is just exploitation. It is clear that some cats, like yourself, love going out and about and enjoy all the attention, and we think it is just fine! We suspect that of all of us, it is Genji who would fall into that category.
Purrs,
The Chans
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Summer. Cupcake isn’t quite as outgoing as you are, but the head peep is trying to keep her as socialized as she can. At the same time, it’s important to her to ask herself whether she is doing things that make Cupcake unhappy. You’re right, it’s a team effort, and it doesn’t matter how much gratification or money the human half of the team gets out of it, if the cat isn’t happy, it’s not worth it.
We think you and your hoomin make a great team – just look at your therapy work. But, lately mom has begun to be concerned about Tardar Sauce. It feels more like she’s being exploited. Maybe it’s because she’s always portrayed in a nasty, negative light – but then there wouldn’t be any thing for her hoomin to sell otherwise.
This expresses my opinion as well. I feel she is being exploited and made to work with not much in the way of human “reward” meaning loving care and attention when she is not on display. She’s a cash machine in my opinion. I won’t buy such products as she appears on. I would be contributing to her sad situation if I did.
I think you and your human are most wise sweet Summer and you make a wonderful team. It should be about the kitty first, always!
I think if there is any exploitation going on it is happening outside the cat world and thus shouldn’t affect the cat unless somehow their human becomes less caring because of it.
We think you and your human are a good team and would never do anything that exploited you!!!
The Florida Furkids
It’s funny that you bring this up. Just yesterday we were commenting on how puny Grumpy Cat looks. We are very familiar with the persona she portrays but she just didn’t look her normal grumpiness. She looked a little ill in our opinion. We sure hope she is happy. This is a very good post Summer. We totally agree with everything you said. When the fun and happiness fades, it’s time to change. We love seeing you girls. You spread love and happiness. Purrs
well said….mom does agree that from the outside it has seemed for a long time that “grumpy cat” family was more about exposure and the money. that could be wrong, but it sure seems that way.
Mom says she will continue to work with Chanel, but like you and your human, if she starts acting like she is not OK with any of it, then she is done.
I know next to nothing about the cats you talked about – the only famous cat I follow is you . Some of my friends post a lot about their cats, as do I, but you know that’s because us human friends like to talk about, and show off, our fur-babies.
This is a good post, Summer. We saw the story, however brief it was on the national news, and thought, “Good for them!” Copyright infringement is never a good thing. Ever. Your post also touches a bit on the topic of a small pile of email we received early last year about exploiting Quint and his painting interests. Didn’t seem to matter that literally every single dollar made went toward vet bills and charity donations. Between those and how crazy our year was last year, we didn’t team up with him to paint or sell anything at all. People are going to say what they will and we agree completely with you saying if you don’t want to be part of a team anymore, the team will dissolve. When Quint wants to stop painting, we’ll stop. That’s always been forefront on our minds.
He’s been actively pawing and swiping at the mirror in the bathroom again and sitting at the windows looking longingly outside. Those are his two signs he needs to express himself with paint and we’ll do our part to become the other half of his team again very soon.
Oh!! That “Stretch” picture is so pretty!!
You look so intelligent and content!!
We wanted to add to our answer. It wouldn’t surprise us that your meetings with her were awkward because she knew she was with a different class of people – those who truly love and respect cats for their own sake.
We were happy when we heard the news!
It really makes me sad to think about Grumpy Cat’s home situation. I’m glad to hear about Oskar and Lil BUB and their humans. Summer, it has always rung clear that your human is very much in touch with your feelings. I love that second picture of you. You always look very happy.
Hey Summer, excellent post and we agree with mew, and actually feel quite sorry fur GC, though may be she’s a really happy pet, the only ones that know fur sure are her hoomans.
I think mew and your hooman have it right, the purrfect mix of fun yet mew come furst! That’s how it should be.
As fur me and the B Team, we’re just a bunch of heathens with designs on wurld domination of the military kind! MOL MOL Just kidding! MOL MOL But seriously, we’re all about fun, and if it’s not fun, don’t do it and certainly don’t stress your pet to purrform fur monetary gain, things should always be natural, definitely not forced.
Big hugs
Basil & Co xox
I believe that Grumpy Cat’s people treat her very well, and they work hard to preserve her integrity. I would stand in line for hours to see GC…and LilBub, and almost any other famous kitty…even you, Summer!
Don’t sell yourself short, Summer! In our books you are very famous! It is very obvious you love what you do.
Summer you are beautiful and have very nice manners…pleased to meet you too.
Hugs madi your bfff
You two are definitely a good team. It’s clear you keep your human in line Summer
I agree that you and your human are definitely a team- a great one! I hope Grumpy Cat’s owner donates a lot of that money to cat charities.
Your human is doing everything right with you, Summer. It’s no secret that I adore Grumpy Cat; I just hope she’s able to be as “normal” a cat as possible in spite of her celebrity status.
Summer, you seem very happy doing what you are doing so we don’t think you’re being exploited one bit. But when the pet isn’t happy, that’s when it becomes a problem.
I’m a shame if Tardar Sauce is being used and exploited. We know your human always puts you first. I’ll bet she has other things to do besides hospital visits but she does it for you. TW is cutting down on my posing for food posts cos she knows I don’t like it much. She wants to keep me in the loop but I’m getting up there in age.
we like how you wrap it all up, Summer. you and your human are a great team and also great kitty ambassadors and advocates. we’d like to think that any public kitty or dog (or ?) has a human that will put them first.
pip, minnie, hollie, sharpie, ditto, TL
Summer, we think that Grumpy Cat has been overdone at this point. We don’t know how he’s treated, but we are a bit tired of seeing so much Grumpy Cat “stuff.” Like you said, Summer, both the human and the kitty need to enjoy what they are doing. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer
Summer, I do think being a partner is the most important and you and your human partner are partners. Animals and people have been partners for a long time and, unfortunately some people just don’t get that, alas, they look at as us “lesser” or “disposable” something that can be used or exploited.
Thanks for bringin it up!
Purrs
Marv
It should always be about the kitty’s needs and happiness first. You and your human make a great team, Summer.
I totally agree.x
Summer, we agree that some cats are exploited and we feel that their people do what they do for some fame and fortune. It’s terrible for the cats. Our mom has seen you in public, and even share a book signing table with you. She says you are in your element in public! She also told us your human will take you to your hotel room when she feels you’ve had enough. So you’re in good paws and no one needs to worry about you.
I can tell your loved very much.
We can see that you are well cared for, Summer! And you and your human make a great team 🙂
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie