Peace and harmony?

This weekend my boyfriend and I came across an odd scene in Fishtown. A tuxedo cat was chilling out with a gaggle of about seven pigeons. Normally, my cats are in complete stealth mode if they are within even ten yards of a bird. But maybe there is strength in numbers. Or maybe there is such a thing as world peace after all.

After we snapped the picture, the cat laid down, either bored or comforted by the pigeons presence.

Meet Lucy

Nicknames: Duece, Duecer, Goose, Gooser, Goosey, Sweet Pea, Lucifer.

Anniversary: July 28, 2005.

Best Feature: Elvis lip.

Favorite Foods: Broccoli, nutritional yeast, pasta.

Favorite Toy: String.

Talents: Balancing on narrow banisters, fitting into small spaces.

Favorite Spot: Sitting on top of the counter, where she’s not supposed to be with her dirty litter paws!

Best Known For: Adventurousness. Lucy will crawl in any box, drawer, or crevice she can fit into, including the small space between the cabinets and the stove that is a 3x3 inch tunnel. She tests her limits daily by seeing how high and far she can jump, even getting up to try again after falling off the banister in the stairway.

How She Says “Hello”: “Meep!”

How She Gets What She Wants: Cuteness.

Where to Find Her at Night: On my pillow.

Lucy’s Story: I found Lucy outside of the 46th Street El station in Philadelphia. She was a friendly, little runt and I stopped to pat her every day on my way home from work. Finally, a local guy near the station told me she didn’t belong to anyone and I should take her home, so I did. I scooped her up and carried her for five blocks in my arms. She didn’t squirm or try to run away, but just looked into my eyes lovingly, and has been by my side ever since. Nowadays, Lucy is always waiting for me to sit down so she can crawl into my lap, and she perks up whenever I say her name.

Go here to meet Zack.

Meet Zack

Nicknames: Zacky, Zachary, Mr. Boy, Gray Goose, Handsome.

Anniversary: August 6, 2004.

Best Feature: Faintly striped tail.

Favorite Foods: Chinese take-out, Tings.

Favorite Toy: Gray rattly mouse.

Talents: Catching toys midair with his paws.

Favorite Spot: Laying in the hallway by the door, where he can see everyone’s comings and goings.

Best Known For: Punctuality. Zack wakes me up every day an hour before my alarm goes off by meowing loudly. If I try to ignore him, he brushes his paw against my face and meows louder; or if I kick him out of the bedroom, he scratches on the door. In the evening, when I get home from work, he is always at the top of the stairs to greet me with a meow that says, “Feed me!”

How He Says “Hello”: “Raaarh!”

How He Gets What He Wants: Yowling.

Where to Find Him at Night: At the foot of my bed.

Zack’s Story: Zack was the first cat I had after graduating college. When I brought him home, he spent the first few hours hiding under my bed while I paced around worrying, “What have I done? I’m not ready to be a parent, yet!” He had been hanging outside of a friend’s house for a few weeks, and didn’t belong to any of their neighbors. He was skinny and had fleas, but he was friendly and neutered, so he was probably someone’s cat at some point. During a torrential downpour, when he took cover inside a cardboard box my friend put out for him, I broke down and took him to my apartment. He has wreaked havoc throughout my life, killing birds (he’s an indoor cat!), escaping, getting scary urinary tract infections, and stealing food from my guests. But he is also very loving and goofy, and has brought me a tremendous amount of joy.

Go here to meet Lucy.