The Looking Glass Window into the Extraordinary

I know I say this over and over, after all, it is the anthem and crux of the book I wrote, but I need to say it again. The greatest lesson I have learned from my cats is to “embrace the ordinary in life and dare to make it extraordinary.”

I don’t think I could possibly explain it any better than this circumstance that any cat guardian can relate to. What happens to a cat, one who is lazily and nonchalantly living out the ordinariness of any day, when they happen upon a squirrel at the window?

In a split second, just like that, their day has gone from “ordinary to extraordinary” as their little bodies become consumed with the thrill of the moment. We might say, “What’s the big deal, it’s just a squirrel.” But for me, I now take great joy and pleasure in watching the joy and pleasure it gives them, which in turn makes my day equally extraordinary as I share this moment with them.

I glance out the window as they do and put myself into their mindset and I think that is what I enjoy most about a cat. No matter how many times they see that squirrel, they re-embrace it like it is the most unique and fresh experience of their lives.

Please enjoy this video by Dan that captures the concept so brilliantly, complete with tail twitching and cat chattering!

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  1. Ingrid King says:

    “I now take great joy and pleasure in watching the joy and pleasure it gives them, which in turn makes my day equally extraordinary as I share this moment with them.” That just says it all! Beautiful video!

  2. Marg says:

    Great video. They sure wish you would open that darn window so they could chase that silly brave squirrel coming that close to the house. Those kitties are having a great time. Good entertainment. Have a great week end.

    • Deb says:

      Oh my goodness Marg – I shudder to think what would happen if the gang of three actually encountered a squirrel!! Glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Carolyn says:

    Ingrid took the words right off my keyboard! Brilliant. It should be put on a tee shirt or a poster. Ding!

    Who was in the middle with the flattened ears? So gorgeously sweet. You are as always so right about the extraordinarily ordinary. I have appreciated that every time Austin embraces the moment, especially I’ve noticed in recent weeks with Martin the Mouse Therapist lol xox Brill video from Dan 🙂

    • Deb says:

      Carolyn – that was Peanut in the middle and she is absolutely our little sweetheart! She probably would make friends with the squirrel instead of chasing it!! I love that you know what I mean about embracing the ordinary and that you can share the moments with Austin!! 🙂

  4. Deb, we’re loving these videos. Must not show to Odin though, he has killed more than one squirrel!

    • Deb says:

      Oh dear Layla – best you keep this to yourself then! I think some of our gang would do the same if they had the chance, although in my head I like to think they would all get along!

  5. Thanks for sharing this week! I’m dropping by on the blog hop this morning and since rescue is so close to my heart (I volunteer every weekend doing adoptions for the Etowah Valley Humane Society), I hope you’ll read my list.

    Would love to have you visit http://www.Pet-Peeves.org, Solving pet problems, one blog post at a time today if you’ve got a minute. I posted 100 ways to help a shelter dog or cat or the people who rescue them!

    Have a great weekend with your furkids.

    P.S. I see you’re going to BlogPaws – have you gone before and what did you learn? I’m kind of tempted.

    • Deb says:

      Thank you Cherie – I will pop by later, and yes, I am going to BlogPaws! It’s a great place to go to meet all your blogging friends in person with lots of wonderful and informative sessions to attend!

  6. Brian says:

    Me too, I love that video! We all love, love, love our windows to the world!

  7. We’re avid squirrel watchers too! (Mommy calls us huge armchair ‘big game hunters’ – we have nooo idea what she’s talking about, but we’d sure like to get our paws on one *sigh*)

    • Deb says:

      That’s funny Rkyer’s Boyz ‘n’ Allie!! We would like to get our paws on one too – the biggest game we have ever caught has been a lizard, but the humans always take them away from us and set them free… Spoil sports!!

  8. Cheysuli says:

    Oh you guys! Get that squirrel! Get it!!! How fun!!!

  9. Wendy. S says:

    Oh my goodness, that was SO funny…You can almost imagine the squirrelly going “na na na”! My cats would be trying to get through the window screen just like your babies. I love when cats chatter like that.

    • Deb says:

      I hadn’t thought of that Wendy, but you are probably right!! That darn squirrel is literally inches away without a care in the world!!

  10. I daresay that no cat worth his or her salt would never think, “oh, it’s just a squirrel.” No matter if that same squirrel came back every single day for years. It would always be an extraordinary event. =^..^=

    • Deb says:

      Amen to that Julia! Just as there is no such thing as “just a cat,” a cat would agree that a squirrel, no matter how many times the visit, was NEVER “just a squirrel!”

  11. this was thoroughly delightful and gave ME great joy because it reminded me of how my Bobo used to LOVE watching the squirrels.

    In your house the kitties are soooo cute lined up at the window!

    Poor Cody, living on second floor he really doesn’t get to see many squirrels, when Bobo used to watch them I lived on first floor.

    This was precious!

    • Deb says:

      Aww Caren – that is so sweet. I know how much Bobo meant to you, so I am happy I could bring some joy your way! Oh darn… poor Cody – what are we to do? Maybe a stuffed squirrel and a video for him?!

  12. Oh yeah…us cats find joy in the little things…like watching squirrels and birdies. Ahhhhhhhh!!

  13. Mr Puddy says:

    You guys got a great toy outdoor ! but seriously , did he see you guys do drooling ? tee…heh…Just wonder !

  14. Nanny McFur says:

    I know what you mean. When I notice my cats looking intently at something I just have to find out what it is. It usually something like a bird or squirrel but to them it is everything – at that moment anyway.

    • Deb says:

      Good point Nanny McFur – they can be looking so intently at something, then a split second later be equally distracted with something else that causes their full attention, like a tiny 1/16″ of an inch bug that walks across the floor!

  15. meowmeowmans says:

    What a great video! Your kits sure look like they’re enjoying watching that (brave) squirrel. 🙂

  16. Wow, terrific video! Mom calls it bird tv, when our kitties watch the festivities by our bird feeder!

    • Deb says:

      Prudence – that’s what our kitties call it too!!! They love the bird channel, but I think the squirrel channel is their favorite!