There is nothing better than having a pet. Tyrion is my constant companion. While I work at home he’s usually sitting right behind me on a floor pillow that my sister made for him, on my lap, or at my feet. And when I get home at night, he is almost always waiting up (oftentimes with a stern look upon his face). He is truly my best buddy and I feel so incredibly lucky to have him. We always had three cats and a dog growing up (three sisters = three cats so that we would not fight over them). As an adult, I had always wanted a cat, but wasn’t allowed to have one in my first few apartments and then lived with my ex-boyfriend. When my ex and I broke up, getting a kitten was pretty much the first thing I did. Those of you who have been reading here a long time may remember that Tyrion was not my first cat. I had a tiny fluffy kitten called Aslan for about six weeks. He was so adorable and sweet but had a condition called FIV that caused him to become very sick. I had to put him to sleep, which may have been one of the hardest things ever. I was devastated by it and wasn’t sure I could handle getting another cat but from the moment I saw Tyrion, I immediately loved him so much.
Understandably, I was very, very nervous to get a cat again… for fear that the same thing would happen to him. I had him tested for pretty much everything the vet can test for – and thankfully he was healthy and has been for the past three years! (His third birthday was September 17th, and in case you were wondering, he is a true Virgo by nature).
I’ve learned that one of the keys to feline health and happiness starts with diet, so Tyrion and I have teamed up with IAMS™, which was an easy decision as I have been feeding him their food since he was a baby. It’s what my mom fed our cats when I was growing up, so it was the natural choice when I got my own cat! IAMS™ makes caring for the little puff easy by ensuring that he gets the best nutrition possible. They’ve spent years observing and researching cat behavior and have created the right diet to help boost immunity, maintain a beautiful coat, and promote digestion.
The latest formula (which I switched Tyrion over to about a month ago) is designed to combat one of the top health issues cats face today:oral care[1]IAMS™ Cat Oral Care Complete™ contains ideal calcium and mineral levels that keep cats’ teeth and gums healthy, providing a deep clean. IAMS™ guarantees that you will see three visible differences in your cat after feeding him IAMS cat food, including a healthy skin & coat, healthy digestion and playfulness. When we went to the vet this month, they remarked over his sparkling smile so I know that the food is doing its job. And as for his coat, well, I am biased but he is just the fluffiest. I will let the photos speak to that!
When I first got Tyrion, he did not like me at all. He was terrified. He hid under the couch for three full days… sneaking out at night to eat and use the litter box… but I literally did not see him. I wondered if I had done the right thing… I was living with a cat that hated me! Alas, he was just scared. We’ve made significant progress… now he’s a little bit obsessed with me (most of the time – when he wants to be alone, he makes it abundantly clear).
Tyrion rules the roost. If he is not hanging out with me or playing, he is up in my lofted bed, looking down on me (his minion). For a Persian cat (they have really short legs), he is surprisingly agile, too. He can run up and down the ladder to my bed at lightening pace… and when he’s being really wild he does just that… up and down and up and down. Must be the IAMS™, I guess!
Created in Partnership with IAMS.
Photography by Trent Bailey.
[1]Source: 2013 Canine and Feline Comorbidity Statistics and Nielsen Scan Market.
Tyrion is SO cute! I wish I had a pet too, but I’m allergic to fur and feathers and everything 🙁 I remember having to give my budgies away after a year or so cos I reacted so badly to them. This was such a sweet post though!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
Aw, what a bummer!!! So sad. My brother-in-law is really allergic to most pets but oddly is fine around Persian cats! Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 xx
He is the cutest, so fluffy.
Thanks Melissa!
Tyrion is adorable.
http://goldclutter.blogspot.com
Thanks, Sophie! I think so too 🙂
my daughter is loving these pictures- she keeps staring at them saying “girl!” “MEOOOOWWW!”
so sweet!
xo, brittany
http://www.notablob.com
Aw that makes me so happy! Glad she likes em!! xx
I’m convinced having a pet is the key to happiness!
XO
Elizabeth
http://stripesandsolitaires.com/
I completely agree! xo
Awww, so cute!! I used to have similar cat when I was little! 🙂
https://lartoffashion.com/be-my-valentine/
Persians are the best!!!
It’s true. Especially when you live alone, a furry little roommate is the best. Minnie is still a teenager” and so can drive me a bit crazy. My friend bought me a book, “The Trainable Cat” . Cats can be trained! Who knew? We are in the early stages yet, I’ll let you know. Minnie is also a Virgo. She is a year and six months now. She was just a tiny kitten when my sister passed away. It made all the difference to have her around. Luckily, no one I know seems to be allergic. Tyrian is the fluffiness! So cute.
So true!!! It really helps in the worst times to have a pet to snuggle up to. I had no idea that cats were trainable – I am fairly certain though that Tyrion is 100% untrainable!!! He has a mind of his own and dos what he wants!
Mine too! And they can only be trained by positive reinforcement. They don’t understand punishment like dogs. I’ll keep you posted!
Truly so interesting!! Keep me posted how it goes!
This was such a nice post to read. Put a smile on my face 🙂
Oh good!!! Happy to hear it 🙂 xx
Your cat is so freaking sweet! I love my Punkin too!
Thank you Erin. Just adore him!! xox
Tyrion… I think I’m obsessed with you lol. His constant facial expression is something along the lines of, “This is OK I guess.” Seriously the cutest cat. Makes me want to get a Persian! ❤
Hahahah I am so obsessed with him too. I hope you get a Persian, they are such great cats! xo
OMG. He IS a little puff!!!
Haha! Just love him so much 🙂 xo
Your cat is the cutest fluff ball. We adopted a cat when she was about 8 and she is great but not liking our new puppy who wants to play with her. lol . Pat S
Awww, thank you. I adore him. Don’t think he would be very happy if I got a dog, either!
Love hearing more about your pretty boy Tyrion ……..I have a tuxedo cat that just turned 3 named Gigi and she is truly my BFF.
Aw thank you – he is such a love. xx
I haven’t had a moment to breathe since you posted this, but I wanted to make sure to comment since I’ve dubbed myself your “cat loving reader/commenter”. My darling cat just celebrated his fourth birthday on Wednesday, but I’ve only had him a year and a half. He’s hands down the light of my life, but he has a very strong personality. He doesn’t like to be picked up or held, but loves sitting on my lap. People often ask me if I’m going to get another cat but I always say that my lap is only big enough for one cat.
Hahahaha thank you so much Maggie!!! And happy birthday to your kitty! Tyrion is similar – everything is on his terms and he’s not a huge fan of being force snuggled or picked up!
I’m a cat lady through and through, and as a wedding present to ourselves my husband and I got two kittens. They really turned our house into a home 🙂 Having a fluff ball to force-hug is also the best way to deal with all your life problems. #AdultingDoneRight
I am so sorry about Aslan, having lost a few kittens throughout my life I know the pain. But it gives me comfort to know that all my kitties will be waiting for me in heaven. Hopefully that thought could help you as well.
oooh I love that!! Definitely Adulting done right!!! I would love to get a second kitty as a friend for Tyrion but my apartment is too small!!!