Phil Tonseth ‘22
Editor-in-Chief
After almost one year of quarantine, most people have either learned to live alone, or altered their life circumstances to find “safe” friends. While Love in the Time of Corona featured how many different couples are thriving in their romantic pursuits during “these trying times,” this feature is for those who choose to shop an animal shelter instead of Tinder for companionship. Like this pandemic, love still lives on, so we welcome you to learn about and meet all of the new furry friends adopted during quarantine, and potentially to add a new member to your own family. This is Pets of Quarantine.
This week's guests are Holly Chaisson ’23 and Chunk, a handsome and majestic cat.
Hey ya’ll! I’ll go to you first, Holly. What inspired you to adopt?
My mom is a wildlife biologist by trade, so I grew up with animals. I think at one point our family had twenty-one pets (a menagerie of cats, dogs, rats, fish, snakes, hamsters, rabbits, and one mean gerbil). I adopted my first cat (Midnight) when I was seven years old and had her for a wonderful seventeen years before I lost her in January 2020. After some time passed, I realized how much having a pet around impacted my well-being for the better, so I figured I’d browse Petfinder just to see if there might be another cat I’d want to welcome home.
What exactly drew you Chunk particularly? Did you look for a specific breed, age, or different characteristic?
I was looking for a cat who was a little older and with a calmer temperament because looking after a high-energy kitten in a D.C. studio apartment sounded like hell on earth. Other than that, I was pretty open to any and every cat who needed a home. It was really Chunk’s adoption page that drew me in. His profile on Petfinder was sparse and included only a picture of him looking like a disgruntled Jabba the Hutt and a description labeling him a “large and loveable guy.” And his name. I laughed for ten minutes at how incredibly fitting it was and put my application together once I had regained composure.
Pictured: Chunk, a very handsome young man. Photo courtesy of Holly Chaisson '23.
Was it love at first sight?
Absolutely. And as I later found out, I was the first person to apply. The volunteer who did my home visit for the shelter praised my quick thinking because Chunk ended up being quite the hot commodity when he went live on the City Kitties adoption page.
Chunk, you’re up. Getting straight to the point, what is your favorite thing about living with Holly?
It’s probably a tie between the unlimited snacks and being able to mercilessly taunt my enemies in the Pav dog park from my window.
Holly, how difficult of a houseguest is Chunk?
In some respects, he’s probably as high maintenance as cats come. Breakfast must be served promptly at 4am and he expects you to brush him whenever the mood strikes him. Failing to do either triggers a round of incessant yelling until I give in. On the plus side, Chunk is very tidy. He ensures no crumbs are left behind and takes extra care to hide all of his toys under the dryer so we don’t trip on them.
Pictured: A dedicated law student. Photo courtesy of Holly Chaisson '23.
Chunk, have you made an appearance in class yet? Or are you more of a lay-on-Holly’s-lap-during-class type of cat?
I popped into Holly’s Con Law class last week for the riveting discussion on Constitutional theory and got a shoutout from Professor Hellman.
Have you learned anything so far, besides that law students should take more cat naps?
“Foreseeability goes to breach, not duty.” (Shoutout to El Toro’s dad, GEW, for hammering this home during Friday Torts).
Slight follow up, but also unrelated. What spawned your name? My orange cat is about twenty-five pounds himself, so I’m wondering whether I should change his name.
My sponsoring organization, City Kitties, auctioned off naming rights to me in exchange for a donation to the shelter. I don’t remember who named me, just that I have a slight grudge against them.
Okay, so do you fight with the vet over being labeled “obese”?
Yes. My vet doesn’t seem to understand that my curves are natural and as a growing boy, I really do need four square meals a day plus snacks.
Are you a cat that loves table scraps? What’s your favorite so far?
I consider table scraps essential to my balanced diet. I love yogurt and rotisserie chicken.
Holly, how has Chunk changed your life for the better, or worse? Knowing cats, this could go either way.
Chunk has been a constant source of entertainment and emotional support. Whether it’s watching him somersault around the apartment for no apparent reason, taking a break from reading to play fetch, or even just giving him a big squeeze after I’ve tried (unsuccessfully) to teach myself the Rule Against Perpetuities for the 70th time, having Chunk in my life has been critical to maintaining my sanity during Zoom School of Law. He has also been an excellent space heater at night during this surprisingly snowy winter (for which I am thankful because the insulation in my Pav apartment is a bit wanting, to say the least).
Speaking of food, is Chunk more of a kneader (AKA making biscuits with your paws), or a scratch pad type of cat?
One hundred percent a fellow quarantine baker.
Pictured: True Love. Photo courtesy of Holly Chaisson '23.
Okay, Chunk, let’s see if you can focus long enough to do a lightning round!
Cardboard box, or squishy cat bed?
Neither, I prefer to sleep in Holly’s bed or on top of the dryer.
Favorite spot to sun-bathe?
My roommate Olivia’s bed, preferably when it’s unmade.
Laser pointer or string?
String.
What’s the name of your favorite toy, or do you prefer to play with trash like my cats?
Geoffrey the Rat. But I do love a good bottlecap to bat around.
Biggest pet peeve?
Coffee.
What time at night do you prefer to do the ‘zoomies’ and run around the apartment wildly?
3:45am, right before breakfast.
On a scale of one to ten, how sassy would you describe yourself?
A solid nine.
Lastly, soft or crunchy treats?
Crunchy, I’m trying to bring my tartar problem under control.
Holly, are there any parting thoughts about Chunk you’d like to share, or further convincing you think your readers will need to follow in your paw prints to adopt?
I will say that every person at UVA that I’ve introduced Chunk to (even diehard dog lovers) has either gone on to adopt their own cat or been seriously tempted to do so. If anyone is on the fence about adoption, I’d be happy to make an introduction so Chunk can work his magic.
I’ve always loved cats, especially chonkers. Now I want another one. Many thanks to Holly and Chunk for joining us on Pets of Quarantine and sharing their coronavirus experience. Are you a pet owner that adopted a furry friend during quarantine? A roommate that’s taken on an additional role as a surrogate pet parent for your classmate’s pet? Or an existing pet owner that’s grown even more attached to your best friend? Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and we want to hear about it! Email pjt5hm@virginia.edu if you or someone you know might like to be featured on Pets of Quarantine.
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pjt5hm@virginia.edu