I have always been drawn to animals, big and small, domesticated and wild. Cats were the first animal I adored to the point of obsession (drawing dozens of cats on one page and naming them...yes, I was a special child). I still remember the way our family’s first cat, a tuxedo boy named Seemore, would swivel toward me as I picked him up and "hug" me around my neck. However, he was skittish around anyone outside of the family. Growing up with Seemore and our second cat, Zoe, showed me that every animal truly has their own unique soul and personality, just like people. They also may have their own past traumas, quirks, and boundaries, again, just like people. This includes rescued baby robins (ask me) and pet-shop parakeets (my little yellow-green Atticus was distinctly grouchier than my brother’s blue buddy, Mordecai). It includes sweet old beagles, pretty tropical fish, and even tiny jumping spiders. (My next pet!) It’s impossible to talk about my love for animals without mentioning my soul-cat Sofia of 13 1/2 years, who died at the age of 19 1/2 in January. I still grieve and miss her everyday... AND I’m comforted that she taught me everything I need to know about how to care for another being: with unconditional love, high attentiveness, endless patience, brave forgiveness, helpful nurturing…[insert good trait here]. When an animal really trusts you, that’s a sacred thing and a badge of honor. It's the kind of trust that can only build over time, which I wish Sofi and I had an infinite amount of. Rest in peace, bean. (If you are interested in helpful resources on pet loss grief, please let me know--I've got tons). In the spring, I adopted a now 14-month-old tortico rescue kitten named Josie. She's got a dynamo personality, her own language of chirps, meows and trills, and a passion for the game of fetch (!) She and two other older lady cats are cohabitating with me and my family in the same house. If I step foot in your door, know that I’ll be at least partially covered in cat hair. When it comes to dogs, I wasn't raised with them in the home, but still grew up around them, so my instincts with them are sharp. The first dogs I loved were my aunt’s dog Abby, an older mutt who was sweet, patient, and mellow with four-year-old me. My uncle’s dog Jack was a yellow lab/Golden mix who we called “Jack the Man Dog.” Jack had a presence that made me feel safe, and my positive memories of him after decades are proof that yes, you can be a cat AND dog lover! For decades, I have pet-sat and house-sat for neighbors, family, and friends/friends of friends. In 2017, I bottle-fed and bathed Maine Coon kittens (long story). During my first college term at Knox in 2008, I volunteered at the animal shelter to take the dogs for walks and hold the kittens to help socialize them. On New Year’s Day 2021, I helped to rescue a young cat in Chicago with a small but devoted group of local cat lovers. "Four" was successfully trapped and taken to a warm home. Through shared videos, we watched him transform from constantly terrified and shrinking away, to flipping over and showing his belly for pictures. I am honored that I was a part of him finding his furr-ever home and healing from the trauma of whatever past led him to the cold Chicago streets. More than any other cause, I have supported nonprofits that serve vulnerable animals, including those who have volunteers foster rescue animals for adoption (One Tail at a Time). I adopted Josie through Sanctuary of Hope in Galesburg, and since Sofia's death I have donated in her name to Alley Cat Rescue and Ernesto’s Sanctuary in Syria. Now that you know my life story through the lens of animals ;)...with dogs, I stay present and engaged by playing, talking to them, doling out belly rubs (obvi), and offering them plenty of exercise outdoors. I’m fluent in dog language, and most dogs who come up to me show immediate trust and comfort by "curving" (Google "dog curving behavior”). Of course, I’m practically a native speaker in cat body language and behavior. I carefully read their signals from the moment they see me, and always follow their lead/pace (I let them sniff me for as long as they need to before I give pets and/or scritches). I'm not joking when I say I've been called "The Cat Whisperer" by friends, who've seen me bond with cats that are normally aloof or fearful. If you've heard of Jackson Galaxy, just know I consider him one of my personal heroes. During each visit, I take photos and videos for guardians to see while they’re away. It's what I would want if I was leaving my pet with someone else, missing their face, and wondering how they're doing. I also make sure my visit descriptions are detailed, e.g. my time of arrival, time(s) of feedings, and whether/when they went #1, #2, or any other number. ;) One of the lessons that Sofia taught me was how to manage several medications at once, and I became skilled at this while caring for her during her final weeks on Earth. I'll follow all directions regarding doses, supplements, etc. to a T. You can count on me to treat your pet as if they were my own, while also respecting any boundaries and special needs. Their safety is my #1 priority, full stop. I fully believe that every dog is a good dog. Every cat is a good cat. And every animal deserves kindness, respect, and reassurance that they are good, and that they are loved.