It's Impossible to Be Mad at These 6 Cats

If a naughty cat flashes a toothy grin or exposes a fuzzy belly like some of these, I'm done for.

So your cat knocks over your beverage and your turkey sandwich is now swimming in a pool of lemonade (or gin and tonic -- envision what you'd like). You race for a towel to sop up the mess and look over to see your cat stretched out in a sun puddle, looking perfectly adorable. Conundrum! You're supposed to be a little bit frustrated, but you also know your cat's a big tipper so this is also sort of your own fault and, dang it, how can you be mad at a face like that?

I totally get it. There are particular pussycat facial expressions, body positions, and overall vibe that charm me out of any sort of bad mood. They know this about me and use it like fine weaponry -- especially when they know they're in trouble.

Here are six cats who could get away with most anything with me. 

       1. The roly-poly

Phoebe, the great manipulator!

Every one in a while Phoebe pulls this one. She knows I'm powerless to the kitty belly and the promise of prime cat-huffing. If she steals something from my dresser or runs off with my pen, she knows this move is her Get Out of Jail Free card. I mean, would you look at her?Manipulation city, baby.

And do you think she'd oblige if I moved in to rub her belly? Hell, no. Rabbit kick to the face, for sure. But by that time, she'd already softened me, so she's back on top. 

       2. The peeky teeth

"Look at this fang and tell me you're mad." 

Oh, man. I have a thing for peeky teeth. They're insanely cute, and a flash of a fang gets my cats out of trouble every time. Instead of feeling cranky because somebody walked across my keyboard and deleted my document, I run for my camera. Cat: 1, me: 0. As usual.

       3. Look, a kitten!

What am I, heartless? 

I don't share my home with a kitten, but I'm fairly certain if I did, that precious baby would get away with everything. A kitten doesn't even have to rely on peeky teeth for redemption. A kitten doesn't have to change position, purr or cuddle in our laps (although that is a bonus). A kitten simply has to exist. 

       4. Of yawns and bags

The double doozy!

This cat gets double immunity. First of all, she's chillin' in a bag. Who can resist a bag-o-cat? And then there she goes with the yawn. Yawns = squinty eyes, full-on view of teeth and the possibility of adorable kitty noises. A yawn alone is enough to gain immediate forgiveness, but put that yawn inside a bag and forget about it! That's one smart cat.

       5. "I'm a silly kitty!"

"Join me." 

One no-fail way for a cat to make me forget any and all offenses is to make me laugh. Cats are high-larious, and my three are masters at seamlessly transitioning into, "Look at me! I'm a silly kitty!" If they can evoke a giggle, they know they're home free. And then, like a giddy, amnesia-ridden fool, I skip off to find my camera.

       6. The almighty cat smile

"Hi." 

Have you ever seen a cat who looks like he or she is smiling? That, my friends, is one of the best things I've ever seen. Maybe in my life. Plus, you get peeky teeth, which assures the grinning cat will not only avoid getting in trouble, he or she will likely be given carte blanche for any future transgressions. The smiling cat is the equivalent of the Puss in Boots eyes from theShrek movies. Humans are powerless. 

Are you a sucker for a particular type of cat face? Tell us about it in the comments! And post a pic!