Life lessons come from all sorts of places, and interestingly enough, I’ve learned many life lessons from Bob.  That’s Bob in the picture.  We celebrated our fifth anniversary together this month, and I have to say that overall, it’s been a good five years.  Here’s what I’ve learned from Bob.

Ask for what you need.  Bob never hesitates to ask for food when he’s hungry, for a scratch behind his ear, for the chance to snuggle under the quilt when we watch TV, or for a chance to get his daily Big Bob Body Rub (a routine I sometimes regret starting!).

Love freely.  Bob never cares about what kind of day I’ve had or what kind of mood I’m in.  He runs to the door to greet me when I come home, and he purrs and meows with abandon, zigzagging between my feet as I make my way through the house, rubbing against my legs and head butting my feet with the greatest affection.  He doesn’t worry about rejection or hurt feelings.  He just loves me all the time.

Play each day.  Bob always makes time to play.  Unfortunately for me, some of his best play time is when I’m trying to sleep.

Be creative.  Bob’s favorite toys include an empty box from Barnes & Noble, paper (any size or shape will do), and a bright red ribbon from Bed Bath & Beyond.  His life is clearly quite interesting, because he thinks outside the box even when he’s in it.

Take naps whenever needed.  Bob’s taught me that when my body says “rest,” I should do just that, and often times a quick cat nap is just what we both need.

Stretch often.  Bob doesn’t go anywhere without stretching first, and after learning how to stretch properly, I can see why!

Be curious.  I understand now why people say that curiosity killed the cat, because there’s really nothing that Bob won’t poke his nose into; there’s nothing he won’t investigate, again and again and again.  After all, you never know what opportunities may be just around that corner.  

Get a different perspective when you can.  Bob’s a climber.  He’ll climb anything he can, and his favorite place seems to be that 18″ space between the top of the vertical blinds and the ceiling.  And when I climbed on a chair to get him down that first time, that’s when I realized how different things can look from where you stand.

Never judge a book – or a cat – by its cover.  Bob was apparently hit by a car before I adopted him, and as a result, he only has half a tail.  At first I wasn’t really sure if I wanted a cat with half a tail, but I just couldn’t resist his charm, so I brought him home, and that’s been a decision I’ve never regretted!

Let the sun shine on your face (aka:  Know what makes you happy, and then do it every day).  Bob’s favorite place to be every morning is in my bedroom, sprawled out on the floor with the sun shining directly on his face.  He just lies there, purring his heart out with his eyes squished shut, basking in his own little nirvana.  He reminds me how good my life truly is!

What are your life’s lessons?