This is why I need parental controls for internet shopping. In my email I came across a spanking little elf outfit for cats or small dogs. It cost a couple of quid, free p&p and before you could say ‘disgruntled pussycat’ one was in the post.
I am not one to routinely dress the cat, but I had a brief moment of optimism here when I thought I might get some cute pictures for next year’s Christmas cards. Totally forgetting of course that cats will pretty much do what they want, and you can’t easily make them pose for any photo, let alone a shoot in good daylight, on a nice rug or cushion. Throw a bit of fancy dress in there and you are channelling Pollyanna big time. It is definitely more ‘carpe diem’ than Annie Leibovitz.
The outfit arrived on Saturday. It is just a hat and a collar with bells on. So, collar has to go on first or you will knock the hat off. Easy. The elf collar is elasticated and quite loose, so certainly not going to constrict in any way. I know that if you want to do something to a cat (flea it, worm it, medicate it, put it in a costume for you own entertainment) then it is best NOT to give chase, but bide your time. So, Riley (the cat) is dozing on the sofa. I had already let him sniff the hat and collar when they arrived so they were familiar. Pretty much any new item needs to be sniffed. Now I just gently popped the collar over his head. So far, so fancy! Then we went for the hat. I knew that the hat was aspirational (for me) and probably never going to work. I was not wrong. Nor was I quick enough to get a photo of the walking backwards (why do they think that will help?), or the rapid flurry of paws that speedily dislodged the offending headgear.
Maybe I will try the hat again. I will leave it lying around, see if he gets used to it. But I am not going to push it. His dignity must be considered!
I don’t think he liked the collar as such (judge for yourself from the following pictures), but he was ok with it and didn’t try to pull it off or run away. Maybe he just needs some time to earn his stripes!
Ah well, there’s always next year.
Love this! What a beautiful cat!
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Yeah, he knows it too!
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Love this post!! The “What’s so funny” one is priceless! Maybe Riley is thinking…”Just wait until YOUR present arrives!!”…payback!
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Oh, heck, don’t say I have to dress as a tin of tuna….
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Perfect! The Chicken of the Sea brand of tuna would be perfect!
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I had to google that. A bit aspirational, I think!
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Ha! It really is a brand of tuna…tastes the same as other cans of tuna to me! But the costume could be special!
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Love, Love these pics! Especially, the “Dignity ” one!
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He has a special knack of not looking at the camera, and spotting something fascinating elsewhere….
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Haha, not a happy cat! Never tried dressing up any of my cats – I value my life 😀
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I know what you mean and have had cats like that too! Riley is pretty easy going!
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Well then, you are very lucky! xD
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Aww he’s so sweet. I love the passive resistance.
When we first got Kye he managed unbuckle his collar and lose it completely in my living room. It turned up a month later behind the radiator. I don’t think he’d tolerate anything pretty or fun x
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Yes, I think some cats are ok and some will never be comfy. Riley is generally fine with anything, so I didn’t feel like I was upsetting hm. But other cats I have known would be rather different!
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Haha….love this… ❤
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Thanks!
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Riley is very cute in the collar. I love the description of removing the hat – “rapid flurry of paws” sounds very accurate from what I know of cats. Hoping he’ll warm up to the hat long enough for a photo opp. Cheers!
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I’m not holding my breath on that one!
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I have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard – please don’t tell Riley. I had to be very fast to get pictures of my cats in last month; the camera (my phone) was on and ready before I put the hat on the cat so I got 1 or 2 okay shots before they tried to walk out of them. Jeff, my ginger kitty, actually tried to jump through the hat after backing out of it didn’t work – hilarious for me, not so much for him.
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Well, technically this is all your fault as your cats in hats inspired me!! Are we bad people?!!
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We’re so bad, we’re good. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Also, I’ll have to dig out the picture of Jeff in his tie (yes, I have a collar with a shirt collar with a tie on it for him) or take a new one. 😀
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HA HA HA! He looks wonderful…I hope you realise you will now be solely responsible for the insertion of my four cats into suitably themed Christmas outfits…(pause while I inform cats) Um. Maybe not. They have just threatened me with some remarkably inventive revenge involving brussel sprouts…back to the wardrobe for me…
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Lol. sprouts aren’t welcome anywhere! But think of the group photo! It’d be worth losing a pint or two of blood, and needing some tetanus shot boosters, right?
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I know…but they watch me while I’m sleeping…!
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Do they know when you’re awake? Do they know if you’ve been bad or good? Well, then be good, for goodness sake!
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So no Christmas fairy costumes…or puddings…or little Santas…or reindeer..
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Bah humbug….
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Could I have a Werthers instead please…I don’t like humbugs
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Sure. Not sure they appeared in Dickens. Maybe they were outshone by Ye Olde Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
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Or just totally eclipsed by the white chocolate Toblerone…
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Oh bless his darling little heart. He’s put up with such a load of indignation there.
Just you wait until you’re either asleep … or out of the house, and Riley is the one in charge. He’ll get his own back for this, y’know!
Poor baby.
(He does look kinda cute though. lol)
~ Cobs. x
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He was FINE!!! It was five minutes tops, and actually he tried to stick his head through it again later! Of course if I wake up with permanent pen scribbled all over my face I may have only myself to blame….
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Ha – How cute. I can tell Riley is tolerating this collar, but there is no thrill. Funny. Thanks for sharing all the photos – was very amusing. LOL
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Yes, he is pretty well behaved!
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That is far too adorable!!! ❤
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Well, thanks! Riley was OK with it, which is the main thing!
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He may also have to go into tummy rub Tuesday haha
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That would be awesome!
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🙂
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added for week 127!
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I am super-excited. Thanks! Do I need to do any links or anything? I am not the most technically gifted….!
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No that’s all fine 🙂 once it’s live it’ll link to your blog so you should get a little notification in wordpress.
You are always welcome to send in photos or submit guest stories btw. Plus we’ve just launched a forum for cat lovers where you can even put up links to your own posts. 🙂
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I read about the forum today! Thanks again, and I hope you have a great Christmas.
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Thank you and same to you! ^^
And yes the forum is new. I’m trying to get more cat lovers onto it. 🙂
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Mmm, I think Riley secretly LIKES his little collar and is just pretending not to – after all, he’s working it pretty good in these pics!
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He knows his good side!!
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Riley looks nice in this green collar! I believe he was fine, otherwise he wouldn’t have allowed you to do this! We couldn’t even imagine putting anything on our cat, but my aunt’s cat was completely fine with such things and her children were dressing him up all the time.
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Yes, definitely a temperament thing. He is the kind of cat that lets you play with his paws, so pretty docile really!
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That is hilarious! I wonder what he is actually thinking? Probably looking at you and imagining you in a Christmas outfit of his choosing?
When we were kids we would put things on our cats and watch them walk really low. I think they figured if they walked with their bellies scraping the ground the clothes would come off. It was great entertainment.
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Lol, yes. Maybe he will just furball into my shoes….
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Still laughing! Aww! so sute. Although, I think in photo six, Riley maybe thinking “haa he who laughs last laughs longest….I will get my own back” Watch out for the ninja revenge attack 🙂
Hugs Flo x
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I know….must sleep with one eye open…
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Oh I love this! Our Patches would not let you put ANYTHING on her! She would scream at my daughter when she tried to add some foreign object to her being! LOL! Cute photos! 🙂
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Thanks! He’s a cute boy!
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Good choice; the elf collar brings out the green in Riley’s eyes! I love the 3rd picture (“Ninja”) – a sweet Anne Geddes pose, with him slightly curled up and paws tucked in.
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As opposed to the axe murderer one later, right?!
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Yeah, you can really see the vigor in that one!
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Distract with cat treats long enough to get the picture taken. 🙂
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Good idea!
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Ahahah bless! We tried to take pictures of my cat for christmas cards. We were eventually sucessful, but it took hours!
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You have more patience than me. I bet she looked adorable though.
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Indeed the did. We avoided dressing her though. We just plonked lots of chritmas stuff around her and hoped for the best! Maybe that would work better for you for next year?
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hahahahha. very cute
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Thanks, and thanks for commenting!
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Adorable!
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My cat is so lucky I am one-handed. She would be some weird costume right now!
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The temptation is strong, isn’t it?! Nice to meet you, and thanks for stopping by!
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such a cutie! Can you please add follow by email to your side bar so we can follow you? Thanks! catchatwithcarenandcody
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Thank you. I will try to sort that out, but I might need to get my technical advisor (sister!!) onto it!
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Hi, I just got the email sign-up sorted out – thanks for prompting me to do it! I have also followed you by email as your site looks fab!
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What a cutie!! ❤ 🙂
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Thanks! He is 100% adorable!
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At least, if not more … 🙂
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