We’re thrilled to unveil a new feature this month: Pet profiles! Starting us off is our Creative Director, Tracey, with a delightful spotlight on one of her beloved cats, Franny.
Do you have a fantastic or quirky fur baby to share with the world? We’d love to feature them in an upcoming issue of InHabit! Drop us a line—we can’t wait to meet your furry friends.
Pet’s name:
Franny
Nicknames: What do you call them when no one’s listening?
So many, but a few: Franny-pants, Frangelina, Frangipane, Mamacita, Turdbucket
Age and breed: Tell us about their unique mix or lineage.
4.5 years old. She’s a mix of a farm cat + a neighbourhood cat but if you google the breed Nebelung, it’s definitely strong in her. She’s also polydactyl, meaning she has extra toes, aka large “Mitten Paws.”
How did you meet? What’s the story of how you found each other?
We met via a former colleague whose Kelowna cat happened to have a litter of kittens at the same time I was moving into a pet-friendly apartment for the first time in 17 years. They sent me photos of the last two available kittens, Franny (an all-grey cat) and another multi-coloured cutie. They told me afterwards that of course they knew I’d choose the monochromatic cat :).
So my sister and I drove up to Kelowna from Vancouver to pick her up. I should also mention this was in 2020, peak pandemic time, so yeah, she’s 100% a pandemic pet with all of the separation-anxiety traits that accompany them.
Favourite quirk: What’s one thing they do that makes you smile every time?
She can stare you down with such a look of disdain that you will either LOL or shrink away in fear. Also, when she gets playing, by herself, with a fake rabbit's foot, she — and that thing — will be flying in the air all around the living room. Serious Cat Parkour happens in my house on the daily.
Daily rituals: What’s your pet’s favourite part of the day?
Cats are so routine-oriented, I feel like the whole day she’s on an invisible clock. But mornings for sure, specifically between 4:30 and 5:00 AM, she jumps on me with her shockingly heavy-footed body and just stares at me until I acknowledge her. I’m not sure if she’s telling me to get up or making sure I’m still alive. Second to that is when I open either the patio door or the hallway door so she can go stare at the neighbours for a few hours.
Guilty pleasure: What’s the one thing they love that they probably shouldn’t have?
Tortilla chips
Life lesson they teach you: What wisdom has your pet brought into your life?
So many things. Cats are like spirit beings, just balls of present energy. I’ve not-so-jokingly called Franny my Emotional Awareness Coach since she arrived in my life, the energy I get from her never fails to be a reaction to whatever I am knowingly or unknowingly putting out.
Also, she might be a tough nut and a little obsessive, but I’ve learnt that end-of-day she just wants my full attention and acknowledgment, which is nothing less than any being, pet or human, also need when they’re in front of us.
Also, also, let’s be honest, cats are amazing at teaching us the value of napping.
Secret talent: Is there something unexpected or surprising they can do?
Not sure there is anything surprising per se. Franny is a tall cat. Super long legs. She jumps like a gazelle, it’s beautiful to watch. She is also both a medium haired cat and a long haired cat depending on the time of the year and her transformation into a long-maned lion is astounding.
What do you admire most about them?
Franny is iron-willed. Stubborn, insistent, highly territorial. She is a capital-Q Queen and rather vain. Her consistency in not giving an eff is probably her most admirable trait. She also doesn’t really like anyone but me, which is not fun for guests, but being the sole recipient of her single-minded affection is rather a treat.
Pet peeves: What’s something that always gets under their fur?
Her hearing is at supersonic levels and, living in an apartment, there are noises in the hallway non-stop. So unanticipated noise would be her biggest pet peeve. But also, when she was 1-year old I got her a brother cat (Roo) who is the sweetest little (multi-coloured!) cat you can imagine. Their relationship sways with every shift in the air, but 100% his existence is her biggest pet peeve some days.
Favourite way to relax together?
Armchair, blanket, morning coffee, Franny sleeping on my lap. Best.
If your pet had a theme song, what would it be?
Not a full song, but Robert Plant has one called “Hurting Kind,” that repeats the chorus line “Alright, alright, alright, I got my eyes on you” like a dozen times at the end. I know cats are legendary for their staring but ask anyone who’s met Franny and they will tell you that her constant, unblinking stare-downs are unnerving …
If they could speak, what would their catchphrase be?
Easy. Monty Python, The Holy Grail: Run away, run away!
What’s their biggest fear or phobia?
People who are not Me. And fire alarms.
If they could change one thing about their human, what would it be?
That I would never ever leave her line of vision for any reason. Ever.
What’s one thing they can’t stand about house rules? Something they would change if they were in charge.
I have a large round paper lampshade over the dining table. If she were in charge she would bat at it and watch it swing incessantly. It’s got more tears in it than I want to acknowledge.
That and she’d probably choose to relegate my other cat, Roo, to a place far away from me forever, but that’s never going to happen, sucks for her.
What’s their most human-like quality? A behaviour or expression that makes you think, “they get it.”
She turns from this fierce Ice-Queen into an adorable squishy goofball when she feels safe. But I wouldn’t call that a human quality per se because I think every being, human or not, can sense when it’s ok to drop their barriers and protective behaviours and just authentically Be.