1. The Trendsetter
Vine's cutest trend, #TryNotToSqueak, can trace its origins to a cougar named Cassie, a chatty resident of the Center for Animal Research and Education.
It all started Feb. 11, when CARE's Derek Krahn — better known to 320,000 Vine followers as BigCatDerek — approached Cassie with a simple premise: Try to get through six seconds of filming without uttering anything. Even before Krahn could issue the challenge, Cassie failed adorably, and the rest is history. Two weeks later, Krahn set the three #TryNotToSqueak parameters: Request a lack of squeaks, watch said request fail, and express disappointment. Cassie seemed to revel in playing the spoiler, over and over again, until early May, when, according to Krahn, she went on #SqueakStrike, meaning she'd offer no public squeaks until CARE raised $5,000 for a new welcome center for its facility in Bridgeport, Texas. The strike ended May 27, when the money was raised, and all squeaks were unleashed.
In the meantime, hundreds of other cats joined Cassie in defying their owners (as if this were a new thing). Including Cassie's squeak heard 'round the world, here are 50 of the cutest and funniest #TryNotToSqueak fails.
2. The Justin Bieber Fan
If "OMG" were a meow.
3. The Squeak Toy
Extreme close-up! Whoaaaaaaa!
4. The Classroom Bell
Fourth period has ended.
5. The Growler
It'd be threatening if it weren't so cute.
6. The Conversationalist
"I heard something on NPR the other day...."
7. The Snooze Button Enthusiast
"I need five more minutes."
8. The "Thriller" Backup Dancer
Charlie's in a zombie-like trance, so it only makes sense to do that choreography.
9. Spider-Cat
With great meow-er comes no responsibility.
10. The Table Centerpiece
This one offers a polite, "No."
11. The Foley Artist
She sounds like someone jumping on a trampoline in a cartoon.
12. The Red-Carpet Diva
In fairness, this cat was answering the question, "Who are you wearing?"
13. The Executive Who Just Realized He's Late For A Meeting
"We'll have to table this discussion."
14. The Ottoman Empress
Gracie does what she wants, and that's just how it is.
15. The Losing Game Show Contestant
It's as if she just lost the Range Game on The Price is Right.
16. The Neck Swiveler
Maximum cattitude.
17. The Boxer
Put 'em up!
18. The Repeat Offender
That last squeak might as well be a "Really?!"
19. The Talking Throw Pillow
I don't speak cat, but that's a "Ha!" if I've ever heard one.
20. The Hayseed
"Hay (sic), I'm nappin' here."
21. The Phone Inspector
"I will not only squeak, but also make sure that phone is FCC approved."
22. The Museum Piece
Look, but don't touch.
23. The Shy Guy
"Huh? OK."
24. The Mat Decoder
Monty's analyzing that mat like it's a clue in National Treasure.
25. The Clown Nose
Honk-honk! Honk-honk.
26. The Guilty Party
From "No!" to "I blame myself," in four seconds flat.
27. The Spa Client
"I will squeak as much as I want until I get my mud bath."
28. The Bank Customer
"I expect at least 6 percent interest on this quarter."
29. The One Who Meeps
You're goddamn right.
30. The Beatles Fan
She's just singing the "yeah, yeah, yeah" part in "She Loves You."
31. The Rebel
Check out Oreo's you-gotta-be-kidding-me head tilt right before that squeak.
32. The Ninja
Nothing but eyes, mouth and squeak.
33. The Bouncer
"The kitchen, eh? I'll need to see some ID."
34. The Hall Monitor
"Shouldn't you be in class?"
35. The Ventriloquist
"That was the floor."
36. The Ruminator
"Not now. Not now."
37. The Orator
"I see your points, and dismiss them all."
38. The Siren
The world's fuzziest squad car.
39. The Semi-Successful Duck Impersonator
The "Quack!" is impressive. The "Qua-meow," less so.
40. The Wolf Impersonator
This wolf in cat's clothing might have just blown its cover.
41. The Seagull Impersonator
The only things missing are the surf and sand.
42. The Miley Cyrus Impersonator
Sticking her tongue out and such. "I came in like a cali-cooooo..."
43. The Staring Contest Winner
... and still champion.
44. The Dramatic Storyteller
(Long pause.) "Well! It was a dark and stormy night...."
45. The Center of Attention
Squeaking, headbutting, pouncing, blocking egress. All in a day's work.
46. The Acrobat
"I will not dignify you with discourse right-side-up."
47. The Sneak Attacker/Squeak Attacker
Bet you didn't see (hear) that one coming.
48. The Squeakstorm
No time to get a word in edgewise.
49. The 49th Cat
(It's tough to come up with 50 clever captions.)
50. The Deep Sleeper You Reeeeeally Shouldn't Have Messed With Today
"Listen, I don't have time for this. I work six jobs: mouse-catcher, sunbeam analyst, computer keyboard flattener, food critic, sink tester and professional napper. I barely slept 20 hours today. Consider yourself on notice every time you try to sleep for the rest of your life, especially at 3:15 a.m. Good day to you. I SAID GOOD DAY."