Cats bring dead things to humans as gifts and signs of love. Mine once brough me a dead mouse while I was still in bed and despite being scared shitless I had to praise him because he did a good thing. Maybe the cat was congratulating you on your apprenticeship? Whatever the reason, congrats OP!

Go out and get your dad a goddamned biscuit already!!!

Did you at least get to keep the squirrel?

Union jobs aren't what they used to be

Well, now you know OP. Leave a squirrel by his bed and get praised too

Congradulations in getting in the apprenticeship (retired Union Apprenticed Journeyman Electrician)

Perhaps he would be more proud of you if you could use the shift key on your computer.

You stepped in it. After your father woke you up, thinking he was talking to you, telling you how proud of you he was. Are you some kind of special kid? Is this apprenticeship as one of Santa's elves so you could work yourself up to being Santa one day? Because holy shit you need to be some kind of special retard if you step on the fucking thing after knowing about it