Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the cat, widely considered “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most popular cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.
Urban cat wants to commune more with nature
DEAR TABBY: I work in a small space in the city. I telecommute from home, from a tiny apartment, and I primarily work in the online space. Thing is, with Earth Day coming up, I’ve been trying to think of ways to bring more of the outdoors inside and get back to my outdoor roots. I was wondering if you had any suggestions. What can I do to get in touch with nature?
Love,
Beignet
DEAR BEIGNET: Cat-friendly flowers! They’re one of the most beautiful ways to commune with nature and purr-fect for small offices.
If you can, enlist your assistant’s help. Have him or her visit your nearby gardening store with a list of cat-friendly flowers upon which you’ll be able to snack or otherwise enjoy. My favorites are snapdragons, gerbera daisies, zinnia, and the very tasty echinacea.
Entrepreneur seeks business advice
DEAR TABBY: I’m a stray cat, or as I like to put it, an independent contractor. I’ve been working for myself for a really long time, and I think I’ve been pretty successful at it, but the thing is, my empire is growing, and I just don’t have enough paws to cover all my bases.
Things are starting to slip through the cracks; I can’t answer all of my phone calls, and I’m just not working effectively anymore. I realize that I need help. So, Tabby, my question for you is this: how do I go about hiring an assistant? I have no idea where to start.
Sincerely,
Teacup
DEAR TEACUP: First of all, congratulations on growing your business! It sounds like you’ve reached the point where hiring an assistant makes total sense, and there’s a myriad of ways to go about it. Some cats use Craigslist, but I can’t recommend it. I just think there are some significant quality control issues in their cat employment area.
You could canvas the neighborhood. That’s what I did. I went door to door and meowed in front of every apartment in my former complex to get to know my neighbors. It was sort of my way of conducting casual interviews.
But I think the easiest way is to ask for referrals. Talk to your cat and human acquaintances because they might know somebody who needs an assisting job.
You never know. Get out there, put out your feelers, and start networking. Good luck!
Loyal assistant worries about her regimented employer
DEAR TABBY: I’ve been assisting my cat Carlisle for about seven years now. Carlisle’s a good employer, but he’s very regimented and hyper-organized to a worrisome degree. Every morning we wake up at the same certain time. Then he has to have his food. Then he has to go outside for meetings. Then he returns to the office to look out a very specific window.
I mean, the schedule is very strict.
Sometimes I worry about him and whether he’s stuck in a loop. I care about him very much. He’s been a great boss. How can I help him loosen up and be more spontaneous?
Kind regards,
Stacey
DEAR STACEY: I understand Carlisle’s need for structure. I mean, we cats naturally like our patterns. It gives us a sense of security and power, which lets us know that the world will not be falling apart anytime soon.
Still, I think you’re right to help Carlisle have more fun and loosen up a little. Might I suggest incorporating impromptu play sessions throughout the day? How about purchasing some catnip mice, or a catnip cigar, or perhaps a flying teaser toy, at the office? Then, when Carlisle least expects it, get the toys up in the mix for an improv team-building exercise.
He may be resistant at first, but I think he’ll start to appreciate more spontaneity after a while.
Cat wishes to overcome his fears
DEAR TABBY: I have a very serious issue. You see, I am a ‘frady cat. I’m one of those cats who, unfortunately, is afraid of everything.
I hardly ever even get to see my assistant. I’m just so scared! I’m afraid of the vacuum cleaner, the door opening and closing, grocery bags — everything. At the slightest sound, I have to run and hide. I’m always afraid that something is about to happen to me or my family.
Tabby, I don’t want to be so afraid all the time. What can I do to build my courage and release my inner lion?
Best,
Peabody
DEAR PEABODY: For some cats — lions come to mind — courage is innate; for others, it’s something they really have to work on. And that’s fine. It’s normal. The secret to overcoming your fears is to take kitten steps, and also to realize that large appliances, despite all appearances, are not out to get you.
Start by investigating the vacuum cleaner when it isn’t roaring. Approach it carefully, sniff it, and maybe paw at it a bit, and then when you’re ready, mark it with your cheeks. Own it.
Same goes for the door. Study it at a time when it isn’t being threatening. Yes, it may be scary, but eventually, slowly but surely, you’ll begin to get used to it. Over time, you’ll feel less fearful overall and finally be able to enjoy your life to the fullest.
I wish you nothing but the best.
Love, kitty hugs and kisses,
Tabby
Elena says
Dear Tabby,
Please ask your assistant Karen for a nice pet and a rub on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Elena
lol. On a side note Karen, totally bought that black pepper toscano cheese and it is sooooo delicious! Great Trader Joe’s recommendation!
And your look you did with the summer tom ford compact convinced me to pre-order it! lol.
Chelsea says
Thanks for the great column Tabs! Jiji and I really enjoyed this week’s edition.
I think my neighbor’s cats might be looking for new assistants – they come hang out in my yard, on my porch, looking for lurvies. We, of course, give them lurvies before sending them home.
Kiss & Make-up says
Aww, haha, poor Peabody… 🙂 And it sounds like Stacy’s got her hands full with her boss, jeesh!
sarahc says
I feel bad for Peabody. Some people we used to know had two scaredy cats that we never ever saw. Every time we’d go over to their house they’d say that the cats just ran into the other room, but in more than a year we never saw or heard a peep out of those cats. They tore a hole in a mattress and crawled up into the inside.
Ruchita says
Hi Tabs! Great advice. I’ll have to look into the cat-friendly plants for my employers. They have requested some fresh catnip, so I will have to look into that soon. Now that the weather is warmer, I can set up some plants outside. 🙂
LindaLibraLoca says
Thanks for the suggestions on cat-friendly plants. I may get an assistant job myself, soon, and I like to be prepared.