" Blackie, wake up! It's your birthday!"
Blackie meowed and opened an eye. " I was having the best dream, Mia."
" But it's your birthday! I already have a detailed list!*
" Oh, joy." Blackie said in a flat tone.
" Oh, cheer up, Blackie! We have breakfast waiting for you in the kitchen!"
" Who's ' we'?" Blackie asked lazily, closing his eyes.
Mia sighed. " The point is, I have breakfast for you!"
" I just want a peaceful birthday." Blackie meowed.
Mia shook her head with a smile on her face. " It will. When you wake up!"
Blackie didn't move.
Mia scooped her car up and walked to the kitchen.
" I have my own car. How joyful." Blackie said in a sarcastic voice.
Mia ignored him. " You'll have the best day ever, Bee!"
Blackie meowed, but inside he felt happy. True, Mia showered him with things on normal days, but today was his birthday!
The one day Mia would be dedicated to him.
Anyway, as they walked into the kitchen, Blackie caught sight of his food and water bowl.
It was on. The. Couch.
Blackie was set on the ground, and he ran to the couch, hopped on, and looked at his food in delight.
Blueberries and yogurt.
" Yippie!" Blackie exclaimed as he gobbled his food. When he was done, his owner set a small birthday hat on his head.
" Come on, big guy." Mia said as she wheeled his stroller out of her room. " We have a catnip field to go to."
---------------
" THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" Blackie yelled as he chased a butterfly and pounced on a large patch of catnip.
Mia laughed. " Blackie, you're getting covered!"
Blackie, rolling around in the catnip patch, was a whirlwind of black fur and green leaves. "I don't care!" he meowed, his voice muffled as he playfully attacked another patch of catnip. "This is my day!"
Mia stood nearby, laughing as she watched her beloved cat indulge in his birthday adventure. "I told you it would be fun!" she called out, pushing Blackie's stroller closer to the shade of a tree.
Blackie pounced on a butterfly again, missing it by inches, but he didn't care. He leaped and spun in circles, his usually sassy demeanor replaced by pure joy. The catnip field stretched out before him like a paradise.
"This is even better than the dream I was having," Blackie admitted between leaps. "And I was on a throne of tuna in that dream!"
Mia shook her head with a smirk. "See, I told you! Sometimes, real life can be even better than your dreams."
Blackie slowed down, his paws sinking into the soft patch of grass as he plopped down in exhaustion. "Okay, okay, you win this time. This... this is the best day ever."
Mia walked over, kneeling beside him and stroking his back. "Happy birthday, Blackie. You deserve it."
Blackie purred, closing his eyes contentedly as the sun warmed his fur. "You know, Mia... you're not half bad for a human."
Mia chuckled, patting his head. "I'll take that as a compliment." She looked out at the field, content in the moment. "But the day's not over yet, Bee. There's still more fun ahead."
