Side Quest: Meet the Cats

It’s widely accepted that you’re either a Dog Person or a Cat Person. Growing up, I strongly identified as a Dog Person. We only had dogs growing up, and I liked them well enough, so I figured I must be a Dog Person. Plus, I had my own dog—the best dog ever—for a few years, and since she and I were so close, it further confirmed my assertion.

As it turns out…I am not a Dog Person.

Dogs are energetic, peppy, and needy.

Cats are lazy, moody, independent—and only intermittently affectionate.

Purr-fect.

And honestly? They fit our life a whole lot better.

Here are our favorite lazy animals—and the absolute best cuddlers on the property.

Jasper

Jasper is such a good kitty. He also happens to be enormous. We get asked all the time if he’s a Maine Coon (cannot confirm, but I certainly see the resemblance).

Even though he’s fully grown, he still loves to be carried around like a baby. He was one of five kittens born under our youngest’s bed on March 23, 2024, and officially belongs to my middle child.

He loves exploring our property—so much so that he once disappeared for two weeks. We thought he was gone for good. We prayed and prayed, and thankfully, the answer was yes when he finally showed back up…much skinnier than when he’d left.

Sylvie

Sylvie is a feisty little thing and has been a great addition to our homestead.

My youngest begged and begged for her very own kitten. Our oldest had his dog, our middle had Jasper, and she wanted one of her own. I finally got so tired of her guilt trips that I warned my husband, “The first kitten I see, I’m getting.”

Not long after, I came across a litter of kittens needing homes on Facebook. They were nearby, so without telling her where we were going, we drove to meet them.

Honestly, I wondered what on earth I had gotten myself into. They were the most bite-y, scratch-y, feral little kittens I’d ever seen. My poor arms were completely scratched up as I picked up each one, trying to make sure we were actually getting a girl.

I still don’t know how, but she picked the calmest kitten of the bunch—thank goodness.

Sylvie started out as a very pampered indoor cat for the first couple months, but now she’s outside nearly as much as she is inside—climbing trees, attempting to hunt our chickens, and stretching out in the sun for a good catnap.

Edie

Edie is the most beautiful cat I’ve ever seen. She has big, striking blue eyes and looks like a mix between a Siamese and a tabby.

She also has her own backstory—which I hope to tell soon—but she was one of the five kittens born under our daughter’s bed in 2024.

Edie is a quiet cat. We’re used to our animals “talking” to us, but she’s only just starting to talk back to us. She loves curling up in the coziest places—bookshelves being a current favorite—and while she’s incredibly affectionate, she’s also the biggest scaredy-cat.

We’re hoping to introduce her to the outside world soon, but for now, she’s firmly an indoor cat.

Now that you’ve met our crazy crew of cats, stay tuned—next up: Meet the Boys.