Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the Cat, commonly regarded as “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most widely syndicated cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.
Pushed to the breaking point
DEAR TABBY: I can’t take it anymore, Tabby. My humans are pushing me too hard. They’re always trying to get me to kitty model for them and climb the cat tower and teasing me with toys, which they know I can’t resist. They even make me wear these humiliating outfits, which are almost always glittery and too tight. I feel like I’m ready to snap. I’m also lashing out at friends now, and I actually swatted at the neighbor’s kitten yesterday for pouncing on my tail.
Help! What should I do? Should I tell them the truth? That I just want to sit in a sunny corner all day long and play D&D (I love the dice)? I don’t want to hurt their feelings, but I need some time to myself.
—Stressed in Spokane
DEAR STRESSED: I know exactly how you feel. Humans can be incredibly annoying, but they can also be nice to have around. First, most of them have thumbs, which are essential to opening things like doors and cans of gravy. Second, they can be kind of soothing sometimes, and they’re also pretty easy to train.
In fact, I’ve trained mine to perform a number of tasks, including booking all of my public engagements, paying my iPhone bill, and administering my deep-tissue kitty massage.
I really think you should talk to your humans and let them know you’re stressed, but try to understand that they do what they do from a place of love. Definitely grumble when they pick you up, because they might eventually get the hint, but if not, try to catch up on sleep at night, which is when most humans temporarily shut down.
How much is too much love?
DEAR TABBY: I’m worried that I love my human too much, and I’m not sure what it says about me as a cat. I see other cats who treat their humans with apathy or outright disdain, but I just want to love mine. Is that wrong?
My human actually lives with me. She rents a room and works as my assistant (I work at home in performance art). She pets me every morning, prepares my food, cleans the bathroom, and then goes to her other job. And then when she returns home, she pets me again and we hang out.
I know this is weird because she’s just a human, but she’s also my best friend. Tabby, is it possible to love a human too much?
—Devoted in Daytona
DEAR DEVOTED: In a word, no, it is impossible to love a human too much, because they crave attention, but there’s also a flip side to this. The more friendly and loving you are, the more treats and massages you’re likely to get.
Many cats are unwilling to acknowledge this relationship because of our independent nature, but it’s true. I’ve seen it myself.
Try this sometime: when food is scarce, pay even more attention to your human, and see if you receive more treats or an extra serving of gravy. I think you will.
Contrary to what many cats believe, I don’t see a downside to loving humans, and I don’t think you can love them too much. Sure, it’s important to maintain professional work boundaries at the office, but that’s true of any family business.
The thrill is gone
DEAR TABBY: I’ve been with the same human for more than a decade and, you know, we’ve kind of fallen into a routine. Things aren’t as exciting as they used to be. I still love her very much, but we used to do more things. Sometimes she would make tuna and turkey appetizers, and then company would come over and we’d play games. Now, it’s like all we ever do is sit on the couch and watch Law & Order.
I want to explore the world, Tabby, and play with new toys, try new cuisines.
I don’t know. I’m just afraid the spark is gone. Is there anything we can do to reignite it?
—Passionless in Peoria
DEAR PASSIONLESS: Everything you’re feeling is completely normal, so let’s just get that out of the way. There’s a honeymoon period in any relationship, where it seems like every day brings a new treat, toy or experience. Plus, we cats are notoriously fickle.
The good news is that you still love each other. Have you considered taking up a hobby that you two could do together? My assistant and I love to garden. Not only is it therapeutic for both of us, it also gets me outside, where I can chase lizards and kack at birds.
If gardening isn’t your thing, there’s also paper mache, knitting and going for walks on leash, all of which are activities cats often enjoy.
Another personal favorite of mine is to mix things up. Surprise her one day by catching a mouse.
I know! It sounds crazy, but give it a try. Perhaps she’ll see you again as her powerful little lion. 😉
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,
Karen and Tabs
P.S. So, when we got home from Tahoe last night (didn’t win anything playing OMG! Kittens, BTW), Tabs was all over me, throwing his head into my shins to give me hard-core kitty hugs, meowing nonstop, and following me around the house like he does whenever I go out of town and come back. He was like, “Where were you!? I missed you, woman!”
Yeah, that only lasted a few hours until I went to bed… When I got up this morning, it was back to business as usual. All day today he’s been Mr. Official, CFO Tabs the Cat of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC. “Where’s my gravy? Why isn’t my iPhone fully charged? How dare you talk back to me! Why haven’t you taken me for a walk outside? Why aren’t you petting me at this very moment right now!?”
Le sigh… That’s life when you work for an overachieving kitty diva.
May says
Karen, Tabs is better than Ann Landers. As for the kitty hugs…*sigh*…. he is so adorable.
Tabs says
Hi May,
Thank you, darling!
XOX,
Tabs
Anna C says
That first cross-eyed cat is just too cute! Tabs gives really good advice, he is wise beyond his years 🙂
Tabs says
Hi Anna,
Thank you so much. I do hope that my advice helps other kitties out there!
Kim says
Devoted in Daytona is gorgeous. I’m such a sucker for gray! 🙂
Tabs says
Hi Kim,
Don’t forget stripes. You are a sucker for gray and stripes. 😉
Mwah!
Tabs
Fran says
Very cute! My son is currently pet-sitting the world’s most stand-offish cat, who is clearly missing the human she never pays the slightest attention to when she’s at home.
Tabs says
Dearest Fran,
I do hope that your son is enjoying his new pet sitting gig. It is a rewarding career choice.
Love ya,
Tabs
Rebecca says
Oh I love Tabs! hehe
Tabs says
Love you back, Rebecca!
Smooches,
Tabs
Kiss & Make-up says
Where do you keep getting this stuff?! Oh man, this was an awesome read, suuuuch an awesome read 🙂
Tabs says
Kitties all over the world always need help! I’m always happy to advise them.
Kisses,
Tabs
Lucina says
Lol, you’re too fun, Karen! “Is it possible to love your human too much? – no, it is not, because they crave attention.” This is too much, you always make me laugh!
Tabs says
Hi Lucina,
It’s so true, though! All kitties know it.
Chelsea says
Great advice, as usual, Tabs!
Jiji spiced things up last week by leaving two dead mice under my chair! Certainly changed things up a bit…
Tabs says
Hi Chelsea,
Thanks, darling. Oh! That Jiji. Such a thoughtful gift!
Mellecannelle says
Hahahaha, this is just so great, so funny!! Loved it!
Tabs says
Hi Mellecannelle,
So pleased you enjoy my column.
Kisses!
Tabs
Stephanie says
Dear Tabs
Do you ever answer questions from human cat assistants? I am currently assisting two kittens who are quickly turning into little brats. They insist on only the most expensive food and since they are growing kittens I must cave, however I worry it might hurt their chances at finding a permanent cat assistant. But they won’t listen to me, they just roll their eyes and tap their bowls. Do you have any suggestions?
Tabs says
Dear Stephanie,
Why yes, I do. Sounds like these two have a taste for “the finer things,” something I cannot hate upon, as I’m quite particular about my meals as well. My best advice to you is to step up your culinary game. Perhaps get inventive with your presentation, or mix in the expensive stuff with some semi-expensive stuff to stretch it out a little.
Love to you all,
Tabs
Becca says
Karen, u are absolutely a riot…I love your blog….I can picture u being the funnest gal in the world and I figure ur around my age….u would be so fun to hang with.
But really, I just wanted to say thanks for ur blogs. I’m sitting here in ICU with my husband and it’s been tough. serious as heck but then I read Tabs’ advise column and it totally made me smile..and giggle. Not only are u a helluva makeup artist, u have the talent to entertain!