Happy National Cat Lovers Month

 

Greetings from Princess Gracie,
Official Feline Correspondent of December (and Every Other Month)

It has come to my royal attention—confirmed by extensive nap-based research—that over 25 occasions per year in the USA are set aside to celebrate all kinds of cats. Long-haired cats. Short-haired cats. Cats with jobs. Cats without jobs. Cats who knock things off shelves for sport. Frankly, I’m surprised we still have time for other holidays at all.

Now, while some of you insist that August is the “official” National Cat Day, December has clearly decided to join the party with its designation of National Cat Lovers Month. And I approve. December already understands the cat lifestyle: darkness by 4 p.m., warm blankets everywhere, and humans staying home to provide laps on demand. If that’s not Cat Month behavior, I don’t know what is.

As Princess Gracie—spokes cat, household supervisor, and occasional narrator of gnome-adjacent activities—I feel uniquely qualified to speak on this matter. Cats do not merely deserve one day. We require a calendar presence. Preferably recurring. Preferably with snacks.

December is especially appropriate because cats excel at:

• Sitting directly in the middle of gift wrap

• Judging decorative choices from high places

• Becoming emotionally attached to cardboard boxes while ignoring the expensive thing inside

• Staring into the middle distance like we are communing with ancient winter spirits (we are).
  

So, if December wants to quietly be National Cat Lovers Month—or at least National Cat-Adjacent Vibes Season—I will allow it. Light a candle. Pour a warm drink. Sit still long enough for a cat to choose you. That’s the real celebration anyway.

And yes, I am aware that dogs also exist. I acknowledge them politely, from a distance, usually while perched somewhere they cannot reach. Dogs get letters written to them (“Write to Woof,” I see you), while cats write letters about the world as it fails to meet expectations. This is called balance.

Now, about the gnomes.

People often ask whether cats and gnomes get along. Allow me to clarify: gnomes think they run things. Cats let them think that. In the Gnomeward Bound chronicles, I observe, I comment, and I occasionally intervene—mostly by staring very hard until reality adjusts itself. Gnomes respect this. They also know better than to touch my tail.

For this one month, I graciously allow cat lovers to be honored alongside their cats. You may admire us openly. You may rearrange your lives around our comfort without pretending otherwise. You may acknowledge that choosing a cat is really about being chosen by one.

Enjoy your month, cat lovers.
We see you.
We accept you.
We will sit on your favorite sweater anyway.

And remember: if there are 25+ cat celebrations a year, it’s not excessive. It’s barely adequate.

With whiskers, judgment, and seasonal authority,
Princess Gracie 🐾
Keeper of Blankets,
Observer of Gnomes,
Reason December Feels Watched