Grumpy Cat Brings Smiles To New York

If you love cats, sharing makes us purrrr :-)

The most pleasant surprise at BEA (BookExpo America) last week was an impromptu meeting with Grumpy Cat. I was at the publishing conference and happened to stroll over to the Chronicle Books booth unaware people had been lining up for hours to meet the famous cat. The first clue a feline super star was in the wings? A huge billboard of the cover of the book to be released in the fall.

The crush of fans were in awe of Grumpy cat aka Tard (full name Tardar Sauce). Note the equal mix of male and female fans.

Ms. Grumpy is anything but. It was hard to get a glimpse with extra security but I squeezed through the crowd to get this shot of the sleeping beauty. My first thought was: aw, she’s so small and then awed by her composure. She was totally oblivious of the crowd and cameras. She’s equally nonplussed about her fame, media appearances and her new movie deal. Normal behavior? Who knows but food for thought.

There was a strict no flash and no touching policy. Those in the line were allowed to have their photo taken with her. My radar for animal exploitation was on high alert but found no immediate reason for concern. Her freshly groomed coat looked soft and healthy. She emoted a gentle, serene almost ethereal energy. Grumpy cat’s mom, Tabatha Bundesen stood behind the counter where a cozy bed contained the feline celebrity. The photo op was short and at no time did I sense any feline discomfort.

Tartar Sauce aka Grumpy cat with her mom, Tabatha Bundesen

There’s no question Grumpy has star power and is one of the most remarkable cats I’ve ever seen and I guarantee you we’ll be seeing a lot more of her. For more about Grumpy Cat and my blog post about BEA publishing convention, click on Confessions of a BEA Newbie

Visit the official Grumpy Cat site at GrumpyCats.com

Mancat Monday and/or Mondays With Merlin will return next week. And we’re off this Tuesday.

25 Comments

Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey

June 8, 2013 at 12:14 PM Reply

How very cool that you got to meet Grumpy Cat and good luck with the Petties!

Nancy Diettrich

June 4, 2013 at 7:50 AM Reply

I LOVE Tard!!!!! Some days she reflects exactly how I feel.

She’s also totally adorable along with Pokey.

Glogirly and Katie

June 3, 2013 at 11:34 PM Reply

That must have been a thrill!!!
She’s so adorable!!! …I think she has a brother (or a sister) too.
I’m usually pretty grumpy too, but it never really took off. ha!!!
; ) Katie

Layla Morgan Wilde

June 4, 2013 at 1:40 AM Reply

It was a nice surprise and yes, she has a grumpy brother.

Texas, a cat in New York

June 3, 2013 at 8:07 PM Reply

Tard seems very cute and despite her celebrity, she seems to keep her paws on the ground!
Purrs

Blue Kitties

June 3, 2013 at 6:16 PM Reply

We’d never heard of Grumpy Cat before. From what we can see of her, we doubt she really is grumpy. Guess we’ll need to get Mom to check it out. Mom doesn’t have Facebook, and we are having trouble getting on the Petites Nomination Page. Purrs and hugs from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette

Skeeter and Izzy

June 3, 2013 at 5:25 PM Reply

Grumpy Cat is Sooooooooooooooooooo Cooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll! We wish her much success as long as she likes what she is doing. We hope that she will lend her image to the needy cats out there too. Popularity of one can lead to benefits for many! Thanks for sharing the story and pics. We wish you well in the run for the Pettie’s this year!!
Luvs Skeeter and Izzy and The Feral Gang >^..^<

Layla Morgan Wilde

June 3, 2013 at 8:57 PM Reply

She is, and her family is already giving back to their locals shelters, I believe.

CATachresis

June 3, 2013 at 4:49 PM Reply

Amazing that grumpy cat takes it all in her stride!

Will surely nominate you, but don’t know if I will remember every day!!

Layla Morgan Wilde

June 3, 2013 at 8:56 PM Reply

I think you only have to nominate once and then voting begins in July for the finalists.

Marg

June 3, 2013 at 3:39 PM Reply

Well that must have been fun to see the Grumpy cat. She does look like a cutie and so quiet and calm. Poor thing, she is going to go through a lot but it sounds like she is doing all right.

Abby

June 3, 2013 at 2:34 PM Reply

Oh she is so sweet and it’s amazing how she has taken the internet by storm!
A movie deal wow!

Brian

June 3, 2013 at 2:27 PM Reply

I think Grumpy Cat could just be called adorable, because she is just that!

Katie and Coccolino

June 3, 2013 at 1:40 PM Reply

You bet we will nominate you! And what a treat to see Grumpy Cat. We’ve seen lots of Grumpy Cat and would love to up close!

Piggy Kisses,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig

Layla Morgan Wilde

June 3, 2013 at 4:32 PM Reply

Thanks so much for your support!

da tabbies o trout towne

June 3, 2013 at 11:58 AM Reply

doodz…way kewl yur mom getted ta meet tardar sauce !!!! sorree her wuz knot awakes enuff ta give an oh fish ull pawtograff

N odin…sorreee we mezzed up on yur birthday…ewe noe uz N math…we think we said two N lurned ya turned three N onlee one mor ta go for
ewe can drive !!!

Sue Brandes

June 3, 2013 at 11:39 AM Reply

I love Grumpy Cat. She is so cute.

Tamago

June 3, 2013 at 11:32 AM Reply

Grumpy Cat is so cute 🙂 I love your caption for opposable thumbs. LOL!

Kathryn

June 3, 2013 at 9:28 AM Reply

OMG never knew all this about Grumpy. Thought she was a boy, first of all. She really is cute. Most cats wouldn’t be so composed. And a movie deal. OMG. Well, that’s fantastic. And male and female fans alike.

So, is Grumpy some type of Siamese with a special bone structure that makes her appear grumpy, just like Russian blues (or some Russian blues like “Happy Cat” – the original Cheeze cat) have a special bone structure that makes it look to hoomans as if they have a certain mood?

Layla Morgan Wilde

June 3, 2013 at 12:05 PM Reply

She looks like a mix of Ragdoll and Snowshoe.

Caren Gittleman

June 3, 2013 at 9:00 AM Reply

Purrfect of example of “now why didn’t WE think of that?” lol!! Before the book/movie deal, I heard on TV that Tardar’s Mom had already made $100,000+ with “Oh Grumpy One!!”…..I also had read that it was Tabatha’s brother who posted the first Grumpy photo online….Tabatha didn’t! Hope she gave her brother a slice of the pie!
How cool that you got to meet them both!

Layla Morgan Wilde

June 3, 2013 at 12:04 PM Reply

Bryan, Tabatha’s brother was there and they are business partners. Apparently in the past year Grumpy Cat merchandise has made in the low six figures, not including the movie deal.