Dear Kid,

Cat Motto: No matter what you've done wrong, always try to make it look like the dog did it. UnknownSeptember is Happy, Healthy Cat Month.

Really.

While many cats favor grumpiness or condescension, some cats favor happy (along with their condescension or grumpitude).

We don’t always think about happiness and cats going hand in paw, but they’re out there.

Think about Garfield, the three little kittens (having found their mittens), or the Cheshire Cat who is defined by his smile.

Think how many cats get their happy from being themselves.

There are fashion felines, like the Cat in the Chapeau, Puss in Boots, the Aristocats, Snagglepuss, and Hello Kitty. I love a good cat accessory. Except Hello Kitty (not my fave).

There are fat cats, alley cats, cat naps, cat-atonics, scaredy cats, and cats happily hanging out on a hot tin roof.

There’s Sylvester the Cat lisping, Figaro bouncing around, and Si and Am from Lady and the Tramp (happy at being bad cats).

Curiosity Killed the cat. Satisfaction brought her back. DearKidLoveMom.com

There are cats we’re not sure fall entirely in the cat cat-egory. Like Tigger, Cat Woman, the Pink Panther, Nala, and Simba. But there’s no question that they’re happy.

Whether they’re eating canaries or lasagna, leaping out of the bag, contemplating sleepwear (the cat’s pajamas—it’s easier if you’re older), dropping from the sky during a downpour, or doing their thing in a cradle, cats all agree that they’re happiest and healthiest when they’re spayed or neutered, offered plenty of water, and well-loved.

Meow.

Love, Mom