Our (Cat) Story

Emily adopted Stanley in 2017 while she was in grad school in Portland, Maine. From the very beginning, Stanley was gentle, sweet, and deeply empathetic – the kind of cat who seems to understand how you’re feeling before you do. Emily has always joked that he’s a distinguished gentleman. He’s always been cuddly and affectionate, a steady presence through late nights and big life transitions. Born on Valentine’s Day, he turned 10 years old this year – a detail that somehow fits him perfectly because he has always been a lover at heart.

When Emily and Kate first started dating, Emily was living in Maine while Kate was in Massachusetts. Eventually, Emily made the move to Malden, MA to be closer to Kate – a big step that marked a new chapter for both of us. Kate grew up with a dog and always imagined herself as a “dog person.” Cats had never really clicked with her, and with a mild cat allergy in the mix, she never pictured herself living with one.

Emily listened to Kate’s concerns about her allergy and took them seriously. She switched Stanley to a special food designed to significantly reduce allergens for people sensitive to cat fur. Within a few weeks, Kate’s allergy symptoms faded entirely. With that worry gone, Kate was able to relax and warm up to Stanley – and that’s when Stanley and Kate truly got to know each other. What started as cautious coexistence quickly turned into companionship. Before Kate even realized it, Stanley had become her best furry friend.

Stanley turned Kate into a “cat person” and it didn’t take long for Kate to want her own orange cat. About a year later, Kate adopted Tilly – a female orange cat, which is rare in itself. From the moment she arrived, she brought a completely different energy into our lives. Tilly is playful, smart, quirky, and genuinely hilarious, always keeping us on our toes. She quickly became the light of Kate’s life, filling Kate’s home with laughter and chaos in the best possible way.

A couple of years after that, Emily moved in with Kate, and from then on, the four of us became a family. Stanley and Tilly ground us. They remind us to slow down, to be present, and to appreciate the small moments that make life feel full. They comfort us when things are hard and make us laugh when we least expect it. In ways we never could have planned, they’ve helped shape our love into what it is today – steady, joyful, and deeply rooted in home.