Transforming My Cat Relationship Through Blogging: Blue & Amanda Bond

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

Before I started blogging life with Blue for Hepper, I believed she and I were close. Staying on top of her feeding schedule was a priority. When it was time for bed, I always ensured she had a spot to curl up in if and when she was ready. Blue kept me company while the rest of our house was gone, checked into work, school, or daycare, and I wrestled the mats out of her fur and brushed her when she’d let me.

I used to think that we were fully bonded. She was a little shadow that routinely followed me downstairs each morning. I would tuck my feet under my body, finding my comfy place in my desk chair, and she would swirl in her nest bed until she found the right angle to plop down for a nap.

Before I began writing about her, I thought I appreciated Blue for the cat that she is. Teased her for being an atypical cat and praised her for the things that made her unique. Fawned over her beauty yet poked fun at her for leaving her cat hair everywhere.

A year ago, I would have told you she was my husband's cat, but she preferred me over him. That if she were to choose, I was clearly the cooler parent, and she’d be one of my ride-or-dies. Girls united!

Feline Grateful

I’m not sure I can joke about her as candidly as I used to. My view of her has certainly evolved since Heppsters began, and I will be forever grateful because I don’t know if I would have seen her the way I do now without it. Just like any relationship in life, with a little extra water, sunshine, and attention, you gain the ability to understand them a little better. If you lean in and look closer, you’ll see who the other person, or cat in this case, truly is.

For lack of better words, I suppose the blog forced moments on us that maybe we didn't know we needed. I am more aware of the quirks she has, what gets her rattled, and how to calm her down. When I am at my desk, I subconsciously pause to allow her to snuggle into my lap for a few minutes so I can chat with her and she can purr back before I spin around, giving her a bridge to her bed. Instead of waiting for her to make the first move, I call her to hang out with me while I catch up on the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. I now tell her when I'm going to bed, sending her an invite to join if she's ready.

Cat-tagious Energy

I feel like the newfound energy between Blue and I must be infectious. Not only do I find myself more patient with her, but my children are more invested in bonding with her, too. They are eager to check in with her every morning, and they chat back to her when she meows. If she approaches them, they welcome her with open arms and try to convince her that she should set up shop on their legs as opposed to mine. Both boys appear to be in tune with and respect her boundaries. My youngest hasn't mastered that we pet head to tail and not vice-versa, but they’re both unbelievably kind to her instead of being afraid of her love bites and claws, neither of which make many appearances these days. They understand the importance of letting her come to them, and it's pretty adorable to see them all transform.

So I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel closer to her now than I ever have, and I truly do have this blog to thank for it. For anyone looking to deepen their relationship with their pet, I suggest blogging or journaling about them specifically. You might be surprised by what you notice about them and the kind of love and appreciation you tap into.