Fur-ends Giving
When you're here, you're family.
Though cats are occasionally in colonies (or clowders, or glarings), they are never colonialists and have no traumatic history with this autumnal holiday. Cats are free to celebrate the universally good parts(the end of the harvest season, friends, family, thankfulness, and, of course, delicious food) in a celebration they call Fur-endsgiving.
Our fine, feline host, Lou, has one seat at the table left, and he saved it for YOU! You should be honored. Get to know the other guests and what they are thankful for this year.
Oh, and please bring a dish to share, but remember no garlic, onions, coffee, grapes, raisins, alcohol, or chocolate. A little butter or salami as a treat is ok, though.
Lou
Lou’s most notable accomplishment is that he’s a homeowner. Do you know how hard it is for cats to get home loans!? It’s unheard of! Now that he has his very own four walls, he has opened his doors to all. He loves hosting and greets everyone who comes through his door with a loud purr and a leg rub.
Thankful for: Warm blankets and golden hour naps
Stabler
Stabler owes his life to Lou. Once living on the streets with his partner Benson, Lou opened his doors to them both. The three have been inseparable ever since. Benson’s hard exterior easily melts away once he starts laughing, so come to dinner with a few jokes.
Thankful For: Benson and chin scritches
Benson
Whatever you do, don’t bring up Benson’s missing tail. She’s not self-conscious about it, but if you get her started, she won’t shut up about how she lost it. Yes, yes, a coyote cornered her and then, of course, a bear joined forces with the coyote. Ok, and we all know she fought them off all by herself right before a golden eagle lifted her up and then dropped her in a pit of crocodiles with laser eyes… Just trust me, don’t get her started.
Thankful For: Stabler and bird watching
Beetle
Lou’s estranged brother, Beetle, has been prickly in the past, but this year the twins have been making amends. Beetle no longer steals all of Lou’s treats and toys, and, in return, Lou has agreed to stop hissing at Beetle for simply existing. It’s a small step, but they both agreed not to make it too weird for anyone at the party.
Thankful For: Second chances and cheese
Angus
Don’t get too starstruck, but Lou’s childhood best friend, Angus, is flying in from Berlin just for this event. Despite his high-profile life as the front-cat of KI††Y, Angus goes right back to his kitten-self whenever he’s home. He and Lou can be found wrestling, chasing each other, and sharing a good nap in the sun, like not a moment had passed since they last saw each other. Celebrities! They are just like us.
Thankful For: First-class flights and catnip
Adazith the Redeemer, Crown Empress of the Grimalkin Kingdom, Champion Mouser of the Fourth Realm, and Bearer of the Sacred Claw
Adazith the Redeemer, Crown Empress of the Grimalkin Kingdom, Champion Mouser of the Fourth Realm, and Bearer of the Sacred Claw (you can just call her Addy) met Lou at a fantasy-themed book club where they bonded over the writing of P.R.R. Clawkien. While Addy’s titles may seem like some kind of joke, she is, in fact, set to be empress of the Grimilkin Kingdom. She’ll happily regale you with stories of her royal life, but she’ll never reveal where her sacred realm truly lies.
Thankful For: Her empire, courtly secrets, and cozy blankets
Simon Says
A segment featuring my beloved cat, Simon. Here, he will offer you some sage advice from his 13 human years on this planet. If you have a question for Simon, leave it in the comments, and he will surely bestow you with his wisdom.
Simon, I need to mix up my playlists. What albums or artists are you enjoying these days?
My taste in music is as rich and varied as my taste in foods (literally anything that is within my reach). I can not narrow it down to a single artist or album. Below is a selection of cat-themed tunes that I encourage all to explore. From funk to punk to ambient new wave hypermetal, all genres are represented here. Enjoy and embrace the chaos!
Listen Now! 🎶
Hello reader,
This season, unsurprisingly, makes me reflective. I started this newsletter at the beginning of the year as a small reprieve for me and anyone else who wanted to read it. A tiny escape from the near-constant and ever-growing horrors of living in America right now. Joy is, after all, a form of resistance.
While I want to keep this space funny and weird for my own sanity (and maybe yours too), I also want to encourage you to do a tiny bit more this season. Donate to your local mutual aid fund. Help people in your state unfairly detained by ICE post bail. Volunteer your time at a food pantry or stock (or start) a community fridge. Simply, introduce yourself to your neighbors. Ask if they need help with anything. Maybe make someone in your community a home-cooked meal. Text a friend you haven’t caught up with in a while just to say hi. Try to build community with the people around you. The only way through is together.
Happy autumnal holidays, friends. Stay safe and remember to take care of each other.
Reach Out!
Questions? Complaints? Requests? Leave a comment and let me know what you think and what you’d like to see in future installments.