The month was May, and the year was 2008. I don’t recall exactly what I was doing, but I vaguely remember I was outside my moms house as it was a beautifully sunny day. My mom had been gone for the majority of the morning singing at a wedding, and when I saw her car pull into the driveway I smiled and waved as I normally would, having no idea what was about to come next.
My mom opened her car door, and nestled above her forearm was a tiny black kitten with ears twice the size of his head. I was confused as to who this tiny kitty belonged to, and the moment my mom said she brought this small bat like fur ball home for me I immediately panicked. I was not prepared for another cat (we already had one at the time), and I can’t believe that for a brief moment in time I did not want this small black cat that would later become my best friend.
Thank goodness my intrusive thoughts didn’t win.
Although I was taken aback by this new arrival, I quickly got over my initial anxiety of another cat and welcomed him to the family. He immediately fit in, and was an absolute menace from day one. I couldn’t have asked for a better cat. Fast forward many years, many ailments, and many memories later – my sweet, spunky, spicy kitty has officially made it to the age of sixteen.
We assume he was around 8 weeks when he came home with my mom in May of 2008 (he was one of many kittens roaming the property at the wedding she was singing at), meaning he was likely born sometime in March of 2008. Last year we decided we would celebrate his birthday in April to meet somewhere in the middle. This year we celebrated again, and will continue to do so for as long as he decides to bless me with his presence. I adore cats, I live for cats, but I never saw myself as someone who would regularly celebrate a cats birthday.
But now, I can never look back.
We chose the first Sunday in April to celebrate, and I bought cupcakes and coffee for my family. For Little I bought fish flakes and a party collar, while Duncan bought him a new whale toy and a catnip filled log thing. Truthfully nothing compares to the cigar Duncan bought him last year, but these are a close second.
We decided before sitting down to eat and sing HBD we would take Little on a birthday drive.
After we drove around it was time to put on the party collar and indulge in some tasty treats. My local cupcake shop does an amazing GF cupcake (the same place I get the brownies from in my previous post), and let’s be real – any excuse for a cupcake is a good excuse. I can blame this on my cat all day long, but really I just needed a cupcake.
I’ve thankfully been back on track with Little and his diet to ensure he is no longer getting constipated (if you’re confused by this comment, see my last post), so I plopped a can of his wet food onto a plate and smothered it with fish flakes before sticking a candle in the top. I sent a photo of this cat “cake” to one of my friends and she said at first glance she thought it was apple pie.
I’m sure he wishes it was.
I can’t help but laugh looking at these photos, I am fully aware of how ridiculous I am in wanting to celebrate a cat. However, after the last few years of ups and downs we have had – every single day I have with him is a blessing. I will continue to celebrate his added years as if they were collectable figurines worth hundreds of dollars with zero shame.
Some people have human children, and some people have cat children. I’ll let you guess which person I am.
Happy sweet sixteen my Little, I am so thankful you were brought to me all those years ago with your tiny head and big ears. You are my best pal, and I love you more than all the cupcakes in the world.
Q: Have you ever had a birthday celebration for a pet? Would you?
Blissfulbritt 
20 thoughts on “Sweet Sixteen”
StoryhengeArt
What a charming and lovely way to start the day! Happy Birthday to Little (happy little birthday?) and to you for such a wonderful expression and celebration AND for sharing it with us!
Write more, pet Little, the world is brighter for it.
Brittany
Thank you for such a kind comment!
organeyezedchaos
Happy Birthday, Little!!! Great way to celebrate!!!
Brittany
I thought so too. 🙂
Bradley on the Run
Awww happy birthday Little!!
Brittany
I’ll tell him you said that. 😉
Liz H-H
My tuxedo kitty, Beau, is jealous of Little’s celebratory collar!
Happy birthday, kittie!!
Brittany
I knew I had to have it when I saw it. 🤣
Rootchopper
Okay, this is my second cat blog post of the evening. I feel the walls closing in!
Brittany
LOL! They’re coming for you.
runwhitney
This story reminds me so much of my previous cat’s story. I was 13 and my mom brought home a little kitten someone was giving away in a Walmart parking lot. I was sick in bed and Mom came into my room and put her on my chest. Love at first sight! She sort of became mine over the years and by the time I got married, there was no doubt she would come to live with me. She had a lot of “cat box issues” and wasn’t in the best of health, but I was thankful for everyday. Her 16th was the first cat birthday I celebrated (March 31st)
Now I have two male cats and they get birthday treats every year🤍
Brittany
Awww! I love your story. Cat health struggles are hard, but if she made it to 16 you were doing something right!
Atheria
Bleu, Mizu, Lamborghini , and I wish Little a great belated birthday! May he have a healthy and happy year. Now I’m feeling bad that I never threw birthday parties for my fur babies!
🥳🎈🎉🎂
Atheria
Brittany
It’s never too late! 🤣
gpavants
Brittney,
Very sweet. Enjoy your little one. Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Amy
Ohhhhhh my goodness, that very first baby photo… Heart melting!!! ♡ I absolutely LOVE that you celebrate Little’s birthday with a party, gifts, and desserts! (I can see the apple pie resemblance too!) At this stage in life, every day is precious. I hope you have many, many more with your sweet cat!
Duncan
He truly is a gorgeous kitty! I have celebrated two birthdays for my partners pets (What a coincidence it was his), and always attempted to buy thoughtful gifts for him with mixed success, the catnip orca will be a hit eventually! I wish him health and happiness for the rest of his golden years, may he know nothing but the smell of tuna, the joys of a regular bowel movement, and the everlasting love from his amazing mom!
Brittany
Thank you for being such a wonderful cat and human partner. He and I both love you very much.
Pree
I love everything about this 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 from the kitten loaf (such perfection!) to the cupcakes to the necklace ❤️
Brittany
I love it all too, he is my special widdle babyyyy.