By Jennifer Reed

At The Drake Center, it’s no surprise our families are a bit…furry. From dogs and cats to horses, chickens and an emu, we’d like you to meet the loves of our lives—our pets. 

Proud pet parent: Jenny, receptionist

  • Tuffy, DMH

If you had to choose, would you say you are a cat person or a dog person? Why?

I love both, but at the moment I am more of a cat person. Dogs are great, but unfortunately my current lifestyle wouldn’t be much fun for a dog. 

How did you get your pets? Why did you choose those particular breeds?

I found Tuffy and her sister, Tori, in a friend’s garage about 10 years ago. They were probably only five or six weeks old at the time. Initially, I was going to turn them over to a feline rescue group, but they were both suffering from an upper respiratory infection. I decided to foster them through their sickness and ended up keeping them. I lost Tori a couple years ago, but Tuffy still remains by my side.

What is special about your pets?

Tuffy is the kind of cat you can have a conversation with. I ask questions, she responds. She also tells me when it is time to go to bed. If I stay up any later than 11 p.m., she sits next to me and gives me the “It’s time for bed” look.

What is the cutest thing about your pets, physically?

Most people love her big green eyes or the fact that she’s a talker, but the thing I love most is her happy, squeaky purr.

What do you let your pets get away with that you probably shouldn't?

I use a window sill as a nightstand and Tuffy ALWAYS drinks from my water glass. It doesn’t matter if I have a fresh bowl of water up there or on the floor, she has to have my water.

What is your favorite memory or story about your pets?

My favorite memory is from when I had Tuffy and Tori together. The two of them would tag team me every morning for food. Tori would start it off by pawing at the back of my neck and Tuffy would follow up with licking my eyelids or, in extreme desperation, biting my nose. It was annoying, painful and amusing all at the same time.

What do your pets bring to the dynamic of your family?

Tuffy is a huge part of my life. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of or tell a story about her. She’s my baby and I’m a proud mama!