I know many of you have beloved four-legged friends, but it’s a subject I have next to zero experience with.
Here’s the extent of my personal pet experience:
- I once owned a handful of goldfish that my parents bought out of a children’s wading pool inside Kmart. It was the early 90’s. Need I say more? We brought them home in a literal plastic bag secured with a twist-tie. They were all dead within a day. And yes, as tragic as it sounds, we did flush them down the toilet. RIP Yellow and Sunshine.
- My neighbour’s cat killed a mama rabbit and brought me the orphaned baby wild rabbit. I called it Thumper and sadly he/she was not long for this world despite much tender loving care.
- My dad and I are both allergic to dog and cat dander, and my mom is terrified of dogs — so that was an easy no. Ironically, my dad loves dogs and would 100% have an outside-only dog if he were living solo.
- We had Meatball the hamster for a little over a year, but he was ultimately adopted by another family (after an ill-timed bite, a certain child decided they were not really into hamster parenting after all).
- We now own Ferrari the (betta) Fish and he is…very low maintenance.
So to tackle this topic with any degree of authority, I knew I needed help from someone who loves and actually owns pets. It should surprise no one who immediately came to mind.
Stephany is a blogger, podcaster, and passionate lover of cats (and dogs!).
I am so excited to host Stephany here today to talk about how wonderful her adorable cats are and how much joy they bring to her life.
Welcome, Stephany!
Q. Would you describe yourself as an optimist, a pessimist, or a realist?
I would consider myself an optimist – I like to see the good in people and things, even if that makes me a bit of a Pollyanna.
Q. Do you have any daily or weekly gratitude practices?
Not really. I keep a One Line a Day journal, which sometimes acts like a gratitude journal. But it’s also a place for me to vent about silly things. [As you know I am struggling to keep up with my OLAD journal. Can I make it through one more year? Time will tell…]
Q. If you could thank one object in your house for making your life easier, what would it be and why?
Probably my CPAP machine! It might not make my life easier, but it does ensure I’m actually sleeping through the night, which means I wake up with more energy and don’t need a nap to get through every day. [Hooray! Sometimes the most important tools in our lives aren’t particularly glamourous!]
Q. If gratitude were a colour, what colour do you think it would be?
Hmm… a soft pink, I think! [This fits your personality perfectly!]
Q. What’s something ridiculously specific or odd you’re grateful for in this exact moment?
I’m working on this at Starbucks and it is ridiculously cold. I’m very grateful for the jacket I keep with me at all times that I can wrap around my legs and have a semblance of warmth. [I hate being cold! Why do they keep public spaces freezing like that? I’ve honestly been tempted to bring my heated foot mat to my favourite café in the winter — anything to keep my tootsies warm.]
Q. Tell us about the pets in your life — and the beloved ones from your past who still have a place in your heart.
My favorite topic! I have two cats, Eloise and Lila, who are 7 years old. I am obsessed with them, and can’t believe I never had cats before I adopted these two little munchkins. Eloise is a tuxedo cat and Lila is a calico.
I also have two fur-siblings, Chip and Lucy. They are miniature dachshunds and I am also incredibly obsessed with them. Chip is 7 and Lucy is 4, and I love them as if they were my own. [THOSE EYES!!!]
A beloved pet from my past is my sweet Dutch. He was my soul-dog. He died in 2018 at the age of 16 and while those last few years of his life were very hard (he had dementia), I wouldn’t trade them for anything. He was a dachshund and my very best friend.
Q. Do you think having pets has made you a more grateful person? (I’m guessing yes, but tell me why!)
Of course! I think pets just make everything lighter. They remind you to enjoy the little things, whether that’s watching Eloise play with a toy like it’s the greatest thing she’s ever seen or laughing at the way Lucy and Chip bound around the yard together.
Q. What’s something your pet does that never fails to bring a smile to your face, no matter what kind of day you’re having?
It truly is the SMALLEST thing that will bring a smile to my face, like the way they are sleeping or the way they will run over to the table when I bring out the treat bag. I also love watching them play with toys. They’re just so cute no matter what they’re doing!
Q. What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done (or bought) for a pet — and how did it bring joy?
I think the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done is going to a meet-and-greet for a “pet influencer.” This happened MANY years ago, before pet influencers were even as big a thing as they are today, and it was with my dog Dutch. We met Crusoe, who calls himself the “celebrity dachshund,” and it was like meeting a real celebrity! We got a picture with him and everything! [Wait, there are pet influencers???!!! I am clearly very out of the loop.]
Q. What’s one quirky or mischievous habit your cat has that you’ve strangely grown to love — even if it drives you a little nuts?
I call Eloise my velcro kitty because she always needs to be near me (whoever said cats were aloof did NOT have my cats!). Her quirky habit is that when I’m working at home, she wants to sit right next to me on my office chair. It is not comfortable for me, but how can I deny her what she wants? Plus, I love having a warm kitty curled up next to me while I’m working! [That sounds just like one of my kids — velcro, indeed. And a warm kitty curled up at my feet actually sounds like the perfect solution to my always-cold feet. Hmm…]
Q. If your cat had a life mantra, what would it be? And what’s your version, inspired by their self-confidence?
Eloise: “I deserve attention.” Eloise is never shy about requesting pets when she wants them, and she meows at me very loudly if I stop giving her pets before she’s done.
Lila: “Life is short. Never turn down a treat.” Lila loves her “yum yums” (as we call treats in our household). She is always begging for treats and trying to steal her sister’s treats if Eloise isn’t eating them fast enough. [I’m with Lila! Life is definitely too short to turn down a treat.]
And for my version? Something like “It’s okay to ask for what you want.” This is something I struggle with because I hate being needy, but I’m always happy to give Eloise attention and Lila treats, so most people would be happy to give me what I want, too!
Q. How has your pet taught you to slow down and honour your own need for rest? (Bonus points if naps get a proper shout-out.)
I’m not sure if they have taught me how to slow down because I’ve always been someone who likes a slower pace of life. When I was thinking about getting cats, though, a friend said that I definitely have the right “vibe” for cats. I like reading and naps and being alone at home. She wasn’t lying! Cats suit my pace of life very well. [I struggle with allergies, but I think I’d really enjoy the pace a cat sets. Also, for the record, if I weren’t allergic, John would 10000% have a cat — he loves them.]
Q. Your cats are handing out gratitude journals. What’s in their top five list of things they’re thankful for? What would be in yours because of them?
Treats, my laptop keyboard, pets (especially chin scritches), freshly washed bedding, and maybe me?? [You’d top the list for sure — without you, there are no treats or warm laptop keyboards! Though, like kids, cats don’t always appreciate where the good stuff comes from.]
They are at the top of my gratitude list, for sure. They bring me immeasurable amounts of joy! Also on my list: treats, naps, and a cozy place to lay around and read.
Q. What’s the best money you’ve spent recently?
I’m going to London the first week of October, so all of my travel expenses for that trip have been well worth it! [I can’t wait to read along and enjoy the trip vicariously. London is on my must-visit list!]
Q. You’re stranded on a desert island. What three items are non-negotiable?
A good shampoo/conditioner, my Kindle, and sunscreen.
Q. What’s a weird or useless bit of trivia you’re secretly proud of knowing?
I recently learned this bit of trivia, which fits perfectly on your blog: Michigan has the most lighthouses of any U.S. state! [This feels like a piece of trivia Birchie will be thrilled to know! Must be because of the Great Lakes???]
Q. What are two things you are objectively terrible at doing — one you wish you were good at and another you don’t care about?
I wish I was better at making conversation, especially with small talk. I have friends who are so good at talking to people, no matter who they are, and I just don’t have that same natural charisma! [Ha! Small talk can be a real struggle for me. I did a Top 5/Bottom 5 about this very topic.]
I’m also a terrible artist. Do not ask me to draw or paint anything for you. I can’t do it, and I’m fine with this!
Q. Do you have a go-to reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to stay focused?
Usually, a nap! I find even a quick 20-minute nap can be a great reset when life is feeling a bit too much.
Q. What way do you place toilet paper on the holder — over or under? Inquiring minds want to know.
Over! [Ding, ding, ding. You are correct!]
Thanks so much for sharing more about your feline (and canine) companions, Stephany. They really do have a lot to teach us about living a joyful, satisfying life: naps, treats, and good company go a long way.
- FIrst, do you have any questions for Stephany?
And now it’s your turn to tell me about your pets!
- Eloise and Lila sound like perfect cat names; I’d love to hear what others have named their pets. How/why did you choose the name(s)?
- What’s the silliest thing your pet does that makes you smile?
- What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done (or bought) for a pet (or child)?
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How fun! I knew a lot of this about Stephany but its always fun to learn more! Cats are great and even though they are quirky, it is so comforting to have a warm body next to you, or someone who appreciates your neck scratches! I always had cats growing up and I do miss that at times. Luckily I can get my fix by housesitting, and I am doing that in November for two kitties and a bunch of budgies!
This was such a sweet read! Great questions, Elisabeth, I loved getting a glimpse into Stephany’s world of cats (and dogs!).
I’m also allergic to cats and dogs, so no pets here either. But I could really feel how special Dutch was, and Stephany’s reflections about him were so touching.
I’ve never been around a dog with dementia, so I’m curious: how does that show up in their behaviour?
What a fun read! And oh how I love the photos of Stephany’s beautiful cats and dog siblings! They all have so much personality.
Elisabeth: you need a hypoallergenic Siberian!!!! I know where you can get one, and it would involve a trip to my neck of the woods. 😉
Stephany: Now that I have a cat, I want another one. Do you see yourself getting a third? And does the desire for more cats ever stop? 😂
Leo does sell the breed very well!!! And a trip to see you is VERY enticing. Carla and Belle would die of excitement, no?
Such a sweet interview. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pets!
Do the pet names have any special back story?
My cats are named after pokemon characters.
I would love one more cat, but two is the max for other people in the house. Maybe I could foster kittens one day?
My heart is overflowing. I can confirm that if a cat is aloof, it’s something to do with you and not the cat. They need lots of love and they aren’t shy about getting it. One of my great WFH joys is getting to spend the day with my dog, and I often reflect on how life would be different with a WFH cat – my dog is too big to get in my lap or to get on my desk, and she makes sure that I take breaks throughout the day.
Yes to Suzanne’s campaign for Elisabeth to get a little Leo! I personally think that one cat per member of the household is the correct number of cats to have. I do sometimes think it would be fun for Doggo to have a sibling, though I’m pretty sure that the effort level of two dogs is more than 2x and we’ve got our hands full now with just one.
ONE CAT PER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. I’m dying over here thinking about Colleen with 7 kids and 7 cats (or 9 if you count in parents…or 11 if you add in her parents who have their own living space in the same house).
It IS okay to ask for what you want! Otherwise how will anyone know? It’s a good lesson and alas, not one I have been great at in the past. It’s a journey.
I love Stephany and I loved reading this! I also have a velcro dog – and my dog Barkley definitely had velcro tendencies as well. He was more of a “whole family” dog and Rex is more a “Nicole dog.”
I chose the name Barkley after the dog on Sesame Street but I didn’t choose Rex – his full name is T-Rex Stegosaurus, and that was the name given to him by his former family.
For some reason, seeing you write Rex is “more of a ‘Nicole dog'” just melted my heart. Awww. That is so sweet.
Our cat came with the name Clark when we rescued him from the shelter, and the family agreed it suited him. Our youngest had taken to calling this cat “Fluffin” when we volunteered at the shelter, because at first we didn’t know his name, but he was our youngest’s favorite cat. When we adopted him I at first was firm on the fact that I was ONLY going to call him Clark, so he’d know his name and be dignified. That lasted about a week. He knows his name very well, but is also called “Fluffin”, “Fluff”, “Commodore Fluffington” and “Clark K. Fluffin, Esq.” Also “Little Floof.”
The silliest thing Clark does–it’s a tie between reaching up and patting a doorknob when he wants to go out to the garage or wants us to open the pantry to feed him. He also jumps on the back of my desk chair when he wants to play. And when he thinks I’ve stayed in bed too long–he knows exactly when I’m awake, even if I haven’t moved yet–he’ll chew on the wooden bureau knobs or the corner of my nightstand. Weirdo.
I wouldn’t say it’s crazy, but DH made it his mission to make a screen door for the back door of our garage, so that even if we need to keep the windows closed for extreme heat or cold in the house, Clark can go out to the garage and get a little fresh air (we call it “the Sniffums window.”) He also tried to leash-train Clark, which went about as well as you’d expect. I ended up having to climb up a tree to rescue the Commodore.
P.S. for anybody who has cat allergies and would really like a cat, research Purina LiveClear Allergen Reducer cat food. It has been a literal game-changer for us. My third son and I are very allergic to cats, but Clark does not trigger our allergies AT ALL after being on this diet.
I laughed and laughed reading your comment, Karen.
First, the names are hilarious. I love all the iterations of Fluffin. And when you wrote “So he’d know his name and be dignified…” Well, I am still giggling over this.
And then: “He also tried to leash-train Clark, which went about as well as you’d expect.” Too funny.
Stephany and I are secret soulmates- we both LOVE cats, reading, naps, treats… so of course I loved this post. Cats are the BEST! Now that I have three of them, I can say their names are Charlotte, Muffin, and Foxy… which seems slightly ridiculous, but I wasn’t in charge of the naming!
To answer your last question, every Christmas all our pets get presents and stockings, and I think most people would say that’s pretty silly. Oh, and we usually have an advent calendar for the cats (getting sillier and sillier…) Oh, and I even wrap their presents (I am clearly insane!)
I love your insanity, Jenny!! I don’t think it’s silly to give family members presents at Christmas and they are clearly beloved family members.
And a huge welcome to Foxy <3
I love Stephany’s kitties! They are so pretty and have unique personalities!
I did not have a pet for most of my childhood. Then my high school boyfriend’s cat had kittens and he convinced my mom to take one in – we named him Allegro which is a music term. We were a musical family so it was the perfect name and it fit his vibrant kitty personality. We got a 2nd cat from that HS boyfriend and named him Fritz which was my child nickname (no idea why that was my nickname). Then I was pet-less until I moved in with Phil. He got a cat in June of 2015. We were told that all orange tabbies are boys so he named the cat Oscar. Then we found out that the cat was actually a girl. But we did not change her name. She mostly gets called “Kitty.” She no longer lives with us, though. My MIL took care of her when we went on vacations, so she took care of her in Feb 2020 when we went to Florida as a family. Then we came back and the pandemic happened and she needed Oscar more than we did. And she’s lived there ever since. Oscar is not a fan of kids so it works best for her to live in my MIL’s quiet, suburban home with lots of windows. She used to come back to our house for a week or 2 when she had her annual vet visit but now Phil cannot get her in a cat carrier.
So one thing about me is that I am very frightened by dogs. I have tried to work on this fear but I really hate it when people’s pets jump on me. I can handle small dogs better than larger ones, unless it’s a calm, large dog. I absolutely LOATHE encountering off-leash pets (which is illegal in our city unless you are in a dog park/area where dogs are allowed to be off-leash). I respect that people love their animals, but I wish they understood that some people have intense fears of dogs and do not like to be jumped on!
I could literally write out every word you wrote about dogs verbatim. This is me. I cannot stand when dogs are off leash and come and jump on me!!!
Nice to meet you, Stephany! As someone who might possibly have a (very slight) cat disorder, your photos grabbed me. And as a lifelong “bookworm” (Does anyone use that term anymore?), I went to your blog, reserved two of your reviewed books at the library, and commented about it.
The only pet I’ve ever had were fish. We had a large octagon tank for our kids. The neon tetras usually lived a year. While I have no desire to take care of a pet, I’ve always loved dachshunds. My grandma had one named Buffy. If I had one, I’d name him Spiro.
John had a roommate once that had a dachshund mix and he absolutely LOVED that dog. Dachshunds are absolutely adorable.
I think Clark would have a heart attack if we introduced another cat. He did not get along with the many cats in his room at the shelter, to the point where he’d body-check them out of the way for treats and attention. I honestly think he thinks he’s a person, just without the handy opposable thumbs for opening the kibble bin.
You could be a stand-up comedian with your quips about Clark: “I honestly think he thinks he’s a person, just without the handy opposable thumbs for opening the kibble bin.” Haha!
Thank you for saying that about Dutch! He truly was my soul-dog and I miss him every day. <3
For Dutch, his dementia showed up in doing circles over and over again in the same spot (I think the way the vet described it was his brain didn't allow him to break out of the cycle so he just couldn't figure out how to stop unless I redirected him), being unable to get himself out of corners (he couldn't figure up how to back up if he got stuck in a corner, so I'd find him whining all the time behind doors), staring off into space, accidents in the house (he was SO well trained before his dementia hit), and having a LOT of anxiety at nighttime (I had to put him on meds to help him calm down at night). It was a really hard few years, but it felt so good to be his person to help him. He never failed to recognize me, even at the end, and it meant the world to me to be his safe space!
Thanks for explaining this out, Stephany. Poor Dutch, but what a blessing he had someone who loved him so much.
Oops – that comment was for Catrina!
Thanks for having me, Elisabeth! It was such a delight to see my cutie pies on this blog. They do photograph so very well. 🙂 Love all of the pet love that’s happening in the comments, too!
And to answer Suzanne’s question, I would LOVE a third cat but I do believe Eloise and Lila would murder me if I disrupted our status quo. Wah!
Gorgeous cats, Stephany! Nice to meet you! I’m not familiar with your blog so I’ll have to go check it out.
I am a reluctant cat owner, and very much a dog person not a cat person, but I am a Clem and Sinai {our cats} person. We got Sinai to control a mouse problem. He’s incredibly intelligent and loving but…if he doesn’t get to go outside he literally gets depressed and then aggressive. So he’s become an indoor-outdoor cat and is MUCH happier. He nearly died 1.5 years ago when he got attacked by something when he refused to come in one night. He is one eyed now. Then because his rabies booster that had been given four days before the incident had been given at 13 months after his previous dose instead of 12 months (he was due for it when I was due with baby 3 so his appointment got pushed back), he was technically not up to date with his rabies vaccine and ended up being required by the province to quarantine in our house for three months. (If the attack had happened three days later, he would have been in status.) It was a very stressful time and making the decision to let him return to being an indoor-outdoor cat was awful. However, it became clear that there was no option but to do that and he’s back to thriving and being an incredibly loving black panther. He’s living his best life and has adopted our neighbours as his second family/they refer to him as their extra cat. He’s loved by so many and I’m so glad we’ve found a way to let him thrive, even though I know a lot of cat owners are horrified he goes outside.
Our other cat is a sweet and not that bright girl named Clem. She’s an incredible rodent hunter and has been successfully eradicating our other neighbour’s years old issue with a rat nest in their garden. She’s so sweet with the kids.
When these cats are someday gone, I have no desire for more cats though! I love these two but as I said above I not a cat person, I’m a Clem and Sinai person!
Poor Sinai. That attack sounds both painful and scary and then to have to be inside for all those months must have been hard on everyone 🙁
Glad all is well now, and that your mouse/rat situation is under control. *Shudder*
How lovely to see Stephany here! I love reading her blog – always so real and lots of great book reviews. Eloise and Lila are such beautiful kitties.
When I was in high school, we had a cat named “Cat”. Super original, I know. But really, Cat was named after the cat in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which was a favorite movie of my brother’s and mine at the time.
Yay for an interview with Stephany and her cats! I especially love the cat philosophy of “I deserve attention.” That’s right! Smart kitty!
Stephany, do they shed a lot? My cats shed a lot, and they’re seriously shedding right now.
I think I’ll write a blog post about them!
Eloise and Lila are such lovely girls! Years ago, we (not on purpose, I swear) ended up with THREE orange tabbies; two females and one male. One thing I noticed was that the females did not care for each other at all. They were not siblings, and I’m not sure if they would have liked each other even if they were. I assumed it was a ‘girl thing’.
Stephany, I’ve struggled with my OLAD, and it seems crazy, because it is ONLY ONE LINE. What is wrong with me?
It’s alway so fun to see how your guests answer these posts.
And since I was already with Stephany’s blog it’s like meeting a friend in a different setting.
I’ve only ever had one pet – an albino guinea pig with red eyes. It was called Strolchi.
My grandparents had cats that lived on the property and were only allowed into the maintenance room during winter. They were called Sokrates – named by my dad and the first time I learned who that was. After that we grandchildren decided its our turn and we had Moritz and when he died Max (there is a children’s book called Max & Moritz – two boys getting in tons of trouble like using a fishing pool to get some cake through a chimney).
The husband would love to have a cat to pet but he will and wouldn’t want to take care of it. So no pets. for us. If I were living in better climate I would have a tortoise but I decided I will not be able to give her the perfect living habitat.
I live vicariously through other people’s pet ownership because I never had a pet of my own (except for three weeks, when I had a pet parakeet when I was 6 years old). Sometimes I wish we could get a cat and at other times, I am glad I don’t have that added responsibility. I still love hearing about other people’s beloved pets and how much they enrich their lives!
Agreed. I have mixed emotions. While it would be lovely to have a dedicated pet companion who loves unconditionally, it does feel like a lot of added responsibility!