Tag Archives: affection

The Truth About “Bad” Cat Chris

When I started this blog I couldn’t decide what to name it. I had several names in mind, none of which I can remember now. I only remember that all of them were taken. I eventually settled on Crazy Cat Chris and registered it at WordPress.com.

Almost immediately I realized that I made a mistake. Chris was not a crazy cat. I think I just liked it because all the words started with C. I then choose Bad Cat Chris but the truth is, Chris is no more bad then he is crazy. The “bad” in Bad Cat Chris only refers to his behavior, not to Chris himself, and it really only refers to the human interpretation of the word “bad.” What is bad to a human is not necessarily bad to a cat. Like Shakespeare said, “there is no good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

The first several months after we adopted Chris, he kept us from getting a good night’s sleep by attacking our feet, biting our noses, treading on our bare skin and lying across our necks. BAD CAT! Indeed, the people who adopted him before us thought he was a bad cat and returned him to the shelter after one day.

Chris, November 2009

He no longer attacks feet and he has learned not to bite Rose’s nose but everything else is the same. Jumping on counters is another “bad” behavior that we were never able to correct. Nor were we able to stop him from opening cabinets and closets and getting inside. At eight years old he still tries to get out the door every chance he gets and he still scratches the furniture, but only when he knows someone is looking.

Despite his behavior, I wouldn’t want him to change because that is who Chris is. He has always been very entertaining and he makes us laugh. His bad behavior is not really bad, it’s more like naughty, and even that’s not right. He is just a non-human who is very good at not following human rules.

There is something special about Chris, more special than any other dog or cat I have ever had, and I have had some good ones. Chris is pure love. He loves me, he loves Rose he loves everyone who steps foot in our house and he is not afraid to show it. He bleeds affection. Everybody who knows Chris loves him back.

He is even affectionate to all the other cats, although he will fight with them too.

Rose worries that when we lose Chris I will be devastated and she may be right. I think about that more now that Chris will be turning eight. The last three of our cats that passed away, Abbey, Alex and Tigger, all died at eight years old. But, of course, now is not the time to be thinking such thoughts. We have a birthday coming up.

For the Love of Chris

16 Replies

I might be a bad pet parent for saying this, or even thinking it, but I love one of our cats more than the others. I know that sounds terrible. It’s like saying you love one child more than another.

I’m talking about Chris, of course, but I’m not sure love is the right word. It is harder to define than that. It is like I have formed an emotional bond with him and I know when our time together comes to an end, breaking that bond will be the hardest thing to do since my dad passed away. To be fair, I do love all our cats but Chris is a bit different.

The reasons I have formed such an attachment are many. The badness that I talk about on this blog is just a behavior. There are many other sides to Chris. There is funny Chris, cute Chris, Talkative Chris, Smart Chris and affectionate Chris. Deep down, Chris is the most loving and affectionate creature on four legs that I have ever encountered and you can’t help but love him back.

From the beginning I noticed that everyone just loves Chris and I’m sure that is because Chris loves everyone. “Give and you shall receive” is true for cats as well as people.

Below is an example of Chris’s affectionate behavior.

There is a drawback to all that affection. My wife is away on a business trip so I thought I would let the cats sleep on the bed. I should have known that would never work. Chris always keeps me up half the night doing what you see on the video. I don’t know why I always think this night will be different.

I recently commented about how Chris is sleeping more now that he is older and he sleeps almost as much as a real cat, but after last night I take it back.

What do you think? Any other “bad” pet parents out there?

Love Hurts

22 Replies

Chris is the most affectionate cat I have ever had. He is also more affectionate than any dog I have ever had. He spends a good part of his day on my lap, on Rose’s lap or curled up with Frankie or Puck.

I’m not complaining, I love that about him, but part of that affection is an unusual need to bite, especially my nose. Fortunately, the biting is only a small part of his affection but it is quite annoying and the reason all the cats get locked out of the bedroom at night.

Now I’d like to hear about your most affection pet.

Photo Friday: That Special Moment

19 Replies

Special moments like this should be cherished because before you know it, they are whacking each other.

Photo Friday: Best Frenemies

25 Replies

More and more lately, Frankie is allowing Chris to get close to him without getting up and leaving. Cats Chris and Frankie

Of course, it is a fragile peace.

This morning, as I was preparing this post, Rose sent me an email from the bedroom with this picture attached.

Photo Friday: Payback

12 Replies

A few times a week I catch Chris holding Puck down by the scruff of the neck. I assume he does that to remind him who’s boss. On the other side of the coin Chris will also lie down next to Puck and wash his face and ears. I think he expects Puck to do the same for him, and sometimes Puck does, but other times he gets up and leaves.

The other day Chris was lying with his head resting on Puck’s head. It was a very cute picture opportunity but by the time I returned with the camera, the cuteness was over.

What are you doing with the camera?

Shortly after I took the above picture, Puck apparently had enough of Chris invading his space and was holding him down by the scruff of the neck. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The student was now the master.

Just so you know… YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!

I noticed yesterday that Chris is sneezing a lot and I believe he is not feeling well, which may be why he is seeking a little more attention from Puck than usual. Last night he was on the couch again in what I thought would be a repeat of the other night, but Chris was a little less obtrusive this time and Puck decided to put up with him.