When the kids go back to school, cats find themselves with a lot of free time on their paws. What’s the best way to fill it? You know Morris has an opinion.
Q: Morris, what do you do all day when the kids go back to school?
A: Ah yes. School. I get a case of the purrs when I think about the kids’ return to school after a long, high-volume summer. (I’m not one to gossip, but I have it on good authority that I’m not the only one around here who feels that way.)
The kiddos’ retreat requires me to rework my carefully crafted daily schedule. It’s difficult to retool perfection, but somehow I manage to fashion an even better back-to-school agenda each fall. These are my plans this year:
I wake up early. Yes, even though I don’t go to school, I still need to get up early and make sure everyone is awake and out of the door on time. The kids like to sleep in, so I take my morning duties very seriously. A meow or two will usually get them going, but sometimes I have to resort to the hallway sprint to really get their attention. Someone has to keep this house on schedule after all.
I eat breakfast. Since it is the most important meal of the day, I like to start my day with something as equally nutritious as it is delicious. 9Lives™ PLUS High Protein has been my go-to for a while now. With the kids finally gone, I get to enjoy my morning meal just how I like it – in the peace and quiet.
I nap. When the kids are away from home, I have my choice of any bed in the house. You know what that means? I’ll be trying to break my personal record of cat naps per day.
I think. I set aside some time every day to think deep thoughts. Sometimes I ponder the pressing topics of the day: Do the fish in the tank think being blue camouflages them? Because, not true, little friends. I see you.
Sometimes I just think about food. Is it a seafood day or a beef day? And once I decide, how can I amp up my telepathy game, so Mom knows which 9Lives™ Meaty Paté to choose?
I exercise. It’s true, even cats need to be active, and I have to maintain my enviable figure somehow. I always make time for yoga. I keep it simple with deep stretches and a few reps on the scratching post. Most of my cardio comes from walking, although I can’t resist a hot pink feather on a string any more than the next feline.
I educate myself. Let’s be honest. I’m already at the top of my clever cat game, but I’m always curious about what I might improve. I strategize new bird-hunting tactics at the window. I sharpen my memory skills by visualizing the details of my handsome reflection in the mirror. I cover the essentials.
I roam. Just around the house, mostly looking for my next nap spot. Or a new place to hide when the kids get too loud.
I play. After a long day of having the house to myself, I’ll admit, I get pretty excited when the kids get back. With all the naps I’ve taken and good food I’ve eaten, I have tons of energy to burn. That’s when I like to practice my new hunting tactics on the toy mouse the kids gave me. And if I’ve been a particularly good boy, they’ll sometimes bring home a new toy for me to test out.
I take a bath. After a full day of napping, thinking, eating and keeping the house under strict supervision, I like to wind down with a nice, relaxing bath. Not the bubbly kind, of course. I prefer the feline method: a few licks, a dramatic paw swipe over the ears and just enough grooming to make sure I wake up fresh, clean and ready to do it all over again tomorrow.