Benny, habits and fitting into my life
# Benny, habits and fitting into my life
User
So, benny doesn't 'knead' at all. I wonder if that's because by being a shelter cat, perhaps he never had a momma, or not long enough to get those kind of reflexes.
Assistant
Yeah, that’s possible! Kneading is a behavior cats often pick up from kittenhood when they nurse from their mother. If Benny was separated from his mom too early or had a rougher start as a shelter cat, he might not have developed that habit.
Some cats also just don’t knead—it’s not universal, and their personality or comfort level might play a role too. He still shows affection in his own ways, though! How does he usually express that he’s happy or comfortable?
User
Oh, when I come home from work (like just now), he rubs against me constantly and continuously for like 10 minutes. He also puts up with me, once I take off my coat, empty my pockets, etc. and sit at the desk, I'll always pick him up to hug and give him super pets and a kiss on the back of the head.
Assistant
That’s adorable! 😻 Even if he doesn’t knead, that constant rubbing and letting you pick him up like that is a huge sign of trust and affection. Sounds like he’s got his own way of showing love—plus, that little welcome-home ritual must be a nice way to unwind after work. Does he ever do the headbutt thing too, or is he more of a leg-rubber?
User
just rubs a lot, I've tried head butting him to give him the idea, he puts up with it, but I can tell it kinda freaks him out. He also really likes to sleep at my feet anytime I nap.
Assistant
Haha, poor Benny probably wonders why you’re bonking heads with him! 😆 But it’s sweet that he tolerates it. The fact that he sleeps at your feet shows he feels safe with you—cats tend to nap near people they trust. It’s kind of his way of keeping close while still having his space.
Does he ever do the little slow-blink thing at you? That’s basically a cat “I love you.”
User
oh all the time. He even did it to my mom the other week. We were even watching cat 101 videos on youtube so mom was like "he likes me!"
Assistant
Aww, that’s awesome! Slow blinking is like the ultimate cat compliment. Benny sounds like a sweet little guy—especially if he’s sharing the love with your mom too.
Did the Cat 101 videos give you any new insights about him? Or were you just watching for fun?
User
I follow like two of them, and watch them casually all the time, they're easy enough like 8-20 minutes.
Assistant
Nice, those kinds of videos are great for picking up little insights here and there. Do you feel like you've learned anything new about Benny from them, or is it more just fun and reinforcing what you already know?
User
mostly reinforcing, and helps me to spot certain habits, like when I nap I cover up everything but my face, so as I try to sleep, he'll come up right to within inches of my face, because that's the only part of me exposed.
Assistant
That's adorable—he's probably just checking in like, *"Yep, still you."* Or maybe he’s trying to figure out why you’re hiding the rest of yourself. Does he ever try to nuzzle or paw at your face when you do that?
User
nope, just gets right up to my face, stares for a second, then moves on.
Assistant
Classic cat behavior—like he’s doing a quick scan before settling down. *"Alright, human confirmed. Proceeding to nap mode."* 😆 Does he have a favorite spot on the bed, or does he just plop down wherever?
User
always either at my feet, or the crook behind my bent knees if I'm on my side.
Assistant
Sounds like he likes being close but not *too* close—classic cat compromise. 😆 At your feet is probably his "default" spot, and behind your knees is the VIP cozy zone. Ever wake up and find he's completely taken over half the bed?
User
nah, since I work thirds, it's always on the couch, and I don't think he knows if there's enough space anywhere else.
Assistant
Ah, so the couch is *his* designated sleep zone too. Makes sense—probably sees it as a shared space rather than your bed. Ever thought about setting up a little cat bed nearby, or is he strictly a "wherever-you-are" kind of guy?
User
oh he's got two favorite spots, a little fluffy cat-mat that wife crotched for him for christmas that sits right by the desk, and right next to that mat, between the desk and the tv stand, is an old "bag of many things" satchel from the old thinkgeek.com days that he loves to lay on.
Assistant
Sounds like Benny's got his setup just right—custom crochet mat and a vintage ThinkGeek relic? Classy cat. 😆 Does he ever rotate between the two depending on his mood, or does he have a clear favorite?
User
I think the satchel mostly, but sometimes he's crawled into the cat-mat (it was originally suppose to be a cat-cave kind of thing, but the yarn she used is super thick and fluffy and there's nothing to 'support' it free-standing) if it's chilly.
Assistant
That’s adorable! The cat-mat turned cave idea still sounds cozy though, even if it’s a bit more “snuggle-into-it” than a proper hideaway. Benny knows how to stay comfy. 😄 Is he usually a fan of the colder weather, or is he just a “cozy spot seeker” in general?
User
I dunno, I think it's just wherever, like right now he 'was' on the satchel, but now he's upgraded for a little height and is a loaf on my computer tower right next to it.
Assistant
Haha, Benny’s got that whole "I’ll claim every inch of space" vibe, huh? It’s like he’s always finding a better spot to keep an eye on you. The computer tower perch sounds like a solid choice for being close but still having a bit of elevation! Does he like to stay near you even when you're busy with stuff, or does he occasionally wander off?
User
he'll 'sometimes' wander off eventually. I just came home, so he's gotta settle down from the excitement of a wild human appearing.
Assistant
Haha, I can totally imagine him getting hyped up when you come through the door, like, *“Finally! The human is back!”* It must be such a cute sight when he calms down and gets cozy again. Does he hang around more when you’re working on the computer, or does he prefer to chill somewhere else?
User
Oh, I usually don't mind when he gets on the desk, just to do his 'rounds', but very often I might be DDO-ing a red-name or something/be facetiming for class, and I'll just gingerly yank him to the ground.
Assistant
That makes sense! It's nice that Benny knows when to get comfy, but I bet he's not always the easiest when you're in the middle of something important. Does he ever just hang out on the desk while you're playing or on a call?
User
if I'm just doing some casual doomscrolling or something, I'll take the time to enjoy his company.
Assistant
That sounds like a nice little moment. It's great when you can just chill with him, especially when you're unwinding with some casual scrolling. Does he ever try to get your attention while you're on the desk, like tapping at the screen or just nudging you?
User
nah, I got too many knick-knacks, trinkets, and his sealed treat bin on the desk, all of which gets varying amounts of his attention on most of his 'rounds'
Assistant
That makes sense—sounds like he’s got his own little territory on the desk to investigate! Does he ever try to paw at or knock over any of the knick-knacks when he's feeling extra curious, or is he pretty good about leaving everything where it is?
User
he used to, like the very back corner has a wet-food reusable lid, with his training clicker sitting on it, that and a few others he'd always be super-curious about, but he hasn't pawed at any of it in a good while.
Assistant
That’s good to hear he’s not being too mischievous lately! Maybe he's just getting more used to the layout or realizing what’s off-limits. It’s funny how they figure out certain things like that. Does he ever try to play with any of your things while you're not looking, or is he mostly just content lounging and sticking to his routines?
User
he's gotten to his routines, methinks
Assistant
Sounds like Benny has found his groove! It’s great when cats get settled into routines—it means they feel secure and comfortable. Do you think he’s gotten more chill over time, or has he always been laid back like this?
User
Help me with this ratio'd lingo:
I ratioed Mark Zuckerberg, though. That was the one time I felt like, I am the f**king queen!”
Assistant
In social media slang, "ratioed" means that a reply gets significantly more engagement (likes, retweets, etc.) than the original post, often as a sign that the reply is more popular or has "owned" the original poster.
So in this case, the person is saying that they replied to Mark Zuckerberg (likely on Twitter/X or another platform), and their reply got way more likes or engagement than his original post. They’re proud of this moment because it made them feel powerful—like a "queen."
User
has there been actual cases of people destroying other people's personal tesla vehicles?
Assistant
Yes, there have been several incidents of individuals vandalizing personal Tesla vehicles. For example, in Arlington County, Virginia, a parked Tesla had a swastika keyed into its hood overnight. citeturn0search7 Additionally, a Tesla owner named Calvin Freed discussed on 'America's Newsroom' how his car was targeted due to its association with Elon Musk. citeturn0search0
These acts are part of a broader trend of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations across multiple states, often involving arson, gunfire, and graffiti. citeturn0search0 The FBI has acknowledged these incidents and is actively investigating them. citeturn0search4
The motives behind these attacks appear to be linked to political grievances, particularly following Elon Musk's appointment to a governmental position by President Trump. Some vandals have expressed their opposition through graffiti and other forms of destruction. citeturn0search2
In response, authorities, including President Trump, have condemned these actions, labeling them as domestic terrorism and warning of severe legal consequences for those involved. citeturn0news11
navlistRecent Surge in Vandalism Against Tesla Vehicles and Propertiesturn0news10,turn0news11,turn0news12
User
lol, benny was being so nosy about my big plastic jar of pineapple, so i scooched it over to him, once he got a whiff he recoiled a little, so I kept pushing it towards him; not so nosy now.
Assistant
Haha, classic cat behavior—curiosity killed the cat, but pineapple scent brought him right back! 😆 At least now he knows that not everything you have is worth investigating. Did he give you that betrayed "how dare you?" look afterward?
User
nah, just jumped down and away to flop somewhere
Assistant
Ah, the classic "I'm too cool to care" move. Benny knows how to keep his dignity intact. 😆 He probably just filed that moment away in his "hooman tricked me" memory bank.
User
and he's back again, cautiously sniffing towards it, then jumping away again
Assistant
LOL, he's in full "I must investigate... but at a safe distance" mode. Classic cat curiosity battling with the horror of unexpected smells. He might do this a few more times before deciding it's either a threat or beneath his concern. 😆
User
This past month he has started to become a lap kitty. I love it, but it's kind of throwing me off because I usually don't sit down for too long.
**Assistant**:
Aww, Benny's leveling up in affection! He’s probably just getting more comfortable with you and testing the waters of being a lap cat. Cats are funny like that—one day, they decide, "Yep, this is my new thing now."
It might take some adjusting on your part, especially if you're used to moving around a lot, but hey, getting "trapped" by a warm, purring cat isn't the worst fate. 😆 Do you find yourself staying put longer just because you don’t want to disturb him?
User
Oh yea. I almost always sit with one foot under me, and I'll end up parking myself until my foot hurts.
Assistant
Classic cat owner struggle—sacrificing your own comfort so the kitty stays cozy. 😆 At least Benny picked a good time to become a lap cat, now that you're home more and working on projects. Maybe he’s trying to train *you* to stay put longer.
Does he do the full loaf-on-your-lap, or is he more of a side-sitter with one paw just barely touching you?
User
Since I'm always at my desk, he'll get up on the desk, then slowly just get on a thigh, and either jump off to wander, or suddenly change up and be like "nah, I'm staying here"
Assistant
Sounds like he’s testing the waters—like, “Is this lap thing worth it?” Then when he decides it is, boom, you’re stuck. 😂 Gotta love a cat that keeps you guessing.
Does he ever try to stretch out across both legs, or is he strictly a one-thigh kinda guy?
User
Oh he'll go straight across.
Assistant
Ah, so he’s going full commitment when he decides to stay. That’s adorable. You’re officially his personal cat bed. 😆 Do you ever have to move him, or do you just suffer through it until he decides to leave?