Posted by Suzanne McMinn on February 22, 2008
Princess, bouncing into my bedroom after poring over old 4-H project books: I’m here to demonstrate the proper way to hold a cat!
Me: Run, Buttercup!
But, that quick, it was too late. He was in her arms, an experience equivalent in his mind to being captured in a dolphin net. You know, in the ocean, so he’d be wet and in the ocean, too. That’s how much he doesn’t like her to hold him. In fact, he’d probably rather be in a dolphin net in the ocean.
She, on the other hand, was quite eager. She loves shows, demonstrations, and debacles of all kinds. Especially when she is the star.
Princess: The proper way to hold a cat is–
Me: I don’t think he wants to do this.
Princess: Yes, he does.
Or NOT.
Luckily–or NOT–she is undaunted by initial failure. She’s got another one!
She’s going to try to sweet-talk Wiggles into cooperating.
Wiggles isn’t buying it. And there is a whoosh of fur as every other cat in the house hides under something.
But WAIT! All is not lost. Except in my bedroom, where practically everything is lost due to the stacks and piles of boxes and bags. You’re not looking at that, are you? Whew. Okay, back to the point–
Princess: I know! ::runs outside, comes back:: I’m ready! I’ve got it! This is the proper way to hold a cat! ::punching the applause button::
This concludes the 4-H project demonstration portion of our program.
7:12
am
Good luck finding a cooperative subject! Is she in 4-H? Great program, I was a member for 10 years!
Have a great day!
:j
7:39
am
It was a good try on her part, but we all know cats will only be held on their own terms, if at all.
-Kim
P.S. What boxes and bags? I didn’t see any boxes and bags. Ha. (Isn’t moving fun? Hope this is the last one you ever need to do!)
8:55
am
LOL. Well, my cats don’t like the boys to hold them either. Though they sure like me too.
9:20
am
How many cats are you up to now? My one kitten feels like at least three . . .
9:31
am
*snork* I’m surprised she’s not ripped open from elbow to wrist.
9:37
am
At least Princess did it all with a smile. She is starting to look a lot like her mom!
10:03
am
awwww dookie the cat!!! haha! that was cute!
10:53
am
Your daughter is so beautiful!
11:10
am
Thanks for a great laugh to start my day! Your daughter is a darling. I was rooting for her to win over the actual cat as my cats do love to be near me (as in near-as-possible-without-actually-touching) but I’d like to convert them to lap cats. It’s raining here in California and I’m going to make your cracker toffee for my book club tonight.
12:57
pm
The picture of your dd and Wiggles ‘conversing’ is adorable!
1:08
pm
Too funny - I love that the best demonstration of hot to hold a cat is to hold a dog!
1:54
pm
LOL! She’s very determined.
I’m glad Dookie was more cooperative and didn’t mind filling in as a temporary cat. 
2:09
pm
There is no RIGHT way to hold a cat. *g* Two of mine like being held in a hugging position, while couple of others would rather be shaved than held. *G* Glad Daughter finally found a way!
3:07
pm
This is funny. It illustrates perfectly this funny thought:
Dogs have masters. Cats have staff.
I have an 8 lb. dog. You get the softness and portability of a cat, with the more friendly dog temperament. LOL
Dee
3:19
pm
What kind of dog is that?
3:26
pm
At least you can say Princess is persistent!
3:30
pm
Jayne, yes, she’s in 4-H! Luckily, she’s doing a dog project, not a cat project. That was her brother’s cat project book she’d been looking at!
Jill–I think we’re up to 10 cats, but I don’t like to count….. There might be more.
Jean–that’s a “farm” shih tsu. (LOL)
3:57
pm
Your daughter has your sense of humor
It looked like Wiggles tried to take a bite 
Of my now 6 cats I have one who lets me hold her - now I didn’t say she was thrilled but she lets me - and she doesn’t want to be held the proper way that Princess just showed us - she prefers to be held like a baby 
4:03
pm
I have 5 old cats—4 like to be held and 1 NOT!
4:23
pm
That is just great! I love it! Her efforts are wonderful and it took a dog to do the job! I can relate our cats won’t let the kids love on them either, but the dogs love it…
6:31
pm
7:06
pm
9:36
pm
What patient pets you have! I think I should have my children try this with our dog. ;)
11:45
pm
I don’t think Princess could hold our dog (he’s a big yellow lab) like that…but Patches, our cat, would let her hold her any way she wanted…
1:12
pm
LOL That was sooo funny…yeah, just hold a pup - they are not as finicky!!!
I loved how you narrated Princess. LOL She is just a doll! So funny! 