Sometimes cats get a bad rep, but my cat, Tigger, is the most loving cat I have ever been around, and some humans would be much better off if they tried to emulate him.

When Tigger gets upset, he doesn’t immediately go on Facebook and post a rant about bathrooms or politicians for the whole world to see. No, instead he bites. Sometimes he scratches, it just depends on how he feels. He only bites the person who makes him angry. He doesn’t bite everyone in the room. He also doesn’t continue biting that person all day. One bite and that’s it. He doesn’t continue to hurt the person just because he’s upset. So why do so many humans think it’s okay to post hurtful statuses on Facebook for everyone to see. If someone has a problem with a political candidate, that’s their business and no one else’s. Because, I can guarantee, there are at least a few people that like him/her. So let’s be more like Tigger. Let’s address our concerns with an individual (not a public forum) and not harp on the same issues all day.

Another great thing that Tigger does is he accepts everyone. Tigger doesn’t care what you look like. He doesn’t care what you do. He doesn’t mind if you wake him up at 2AM after going to Taco Bell, all he wants is a little bite of your nachos. Tigger doesn’t judge. When you walk through our door, all Tigger sees is another hand to feed him and another lap to sit in. So many times, people get too caught up in the way someone looks or one stupid decision they make, but these things shouldn’t matter. One decision does not define a person. How someone chooses to dress does not give anyone the right to judge him or her. There are so many great people who get written off and cast aside because their hair is not the same or they wear a dress when society says wear pants. Tigger doesn’t care what clothes you wear, or if you were arrested 10 years ago. He waits to see your current actions before he ever chooses to judge you.

Tigger eats everything. Wet, dry, cheap, expensive, he doesn’t care what kind of cat food it is. He also doesn’t care if it’s cat food. Strawberry cake and Philly cheese steaks are some his favorite foods. He also doesn’t care if I buy him an elaborate toy with feathers and chirpers, he’s just as happy with a wad of tinfoil. He isn’t picky. He doesn’t turn his nose up certain food or toys (or people for that matter). So many humans have a mold of the way others should dress or act, and they choose to not associate with people who cannot meet these criteria. Thus, there are so many missed friendships and opportunities because someone isn’t willing to suspend their own preferences for a moment.

Tigger certainly isn’t a normal cat. He loves to play fetch and play in water. It’s okay that he’s different. If I were to evaluate him based on the general characteristics of a “normal” cat, he probably wouldn’t be considered a cat. But, it’s okay that he’s different. He loves so much, and more people should be like him.