Pull up a chair and make room because the cat is joining dinner tonight.

Cats really do look like tiny little people when they sit at the table. All they need is a plate in front of them and maybe a napkin tucked into their collar. We’d invite them to every meal if we weren’t worried about losing half our food in the process.

Eating around a cat requires supervision. Yours may have finished their own dinner approximately 30 seconds ago, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the meal currently sitting on your plate. They need to inspect that too.

Soon enough, a little head pops up beside the table. Then come the paws. Maybe they’ll sit quietly and stare until you start feeling guilty. Maybe they’ll skip the manners and go straight for a taste. Either way, your dinner now has an audience.

We can’t even get mad when they look this cute doing it. A kitty sitting in their own chair deserves to be included in the conversation. Ask how their day went. Tell them about yours. They’ll probably respond with a meow and wonder when you’re going to stop talking and start sharing.

Family dinners could use more cats anyway. They bring plenty to the table: toe beans, purrs, fluffy faces, and a complete inability to understand why everything on the menu isn’t for them.

Just keep one eye on your plate. Those paws may be cute, but they’re also quick.

So scoot over and save the kitty a seat. They’re part of the family too, and apparently that means showing up for dinner whether they were invited or not.

Now, can somebody please pass the meown course?