Phil Tonseth ‘21
Editor-in-Chief
After almost a 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 add a new member to your own family. This is Pets of Quarantine.
This week's guests are Frannie Skardon ’22 and Scottie, a handsome and majestic kitten.
Hey y’all! I’ll go to you first, Frannie. What inspired you to adopt?
I’ve always really loved animals—especially cats. With everyone trying something new during quarantine, I decided now was the perfect time to really lean into my destiny to become a crazy cat lady.
What exactly drew you to Scottie particularly? Did you look for a specific breed, age, or other characteristic?
Scottie was a little cross-eyed in his picture on the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA website. It was irresistibly cute. I knew he would be the perfect fit for my house when his foster mom told us over Facetime that all we needed to do for Scottie to feel comfortable with us is to “open our entire heart for him” and “spend all of our time on him.”
Was it love at first sight?
For me? Yes. For Scottie? No. Scottie has a lot of anxiety and is afraid of anything that moves or makes noise (two things I tend to do). He was a stray, so being inside was really new for him. With the help of lots of toys and treats, he has made a lot of progress and is doing really well in his new home.
Pictured: Step one of the slippery slope to crazy cat ladyhood. Photo Courtesy of Frannie Skardon ‘22.
Scottie, you’re up. Getting straight to the point, what is your favorite thing about living with Frannie?
I like how desperate for my love the whole house is. When I strut into the room, all attention is on me. They start calling my name and throwing toys at me. It is wonderful.
Frannie, how difficult of a houseguest is Scottie?
Scottie is a great houseguest to me; however, he is passionate about attacking my boyfriend’s feet. There have been multiple times that Scottie has hid behind the window curtains in the morning and then launched a surprise attack on his feet the moment the lights come on. I’m not sure where the fixation on just those feet comes from, but I’m sure it is justified and Scottie is in the right here.
Scottie, have you made an appearance in class yet? Or, are you more of a lay-on-Frannie’s-lap-during-class type of cat?
Class is boring. I’m much more interested in the window by Frannie’s desk where I can watch the birds. I prefer making appearances in interviews or when Frannie has meetings she has to run. I find that I get way more attention in those. I also always make sure that when I make my appearance, I don’t show my face to the camera but instead make sure my entire backside is on display. My fans love it.
Have you learned anything so far, besides that law students should take more cat naps? Also, what’s up with your habit of napping on your back? Cats normally curl up like croissants when they sleep.
Aunt Taylor has told me a lot about prison abolition. Like, a lot. I’m not even really sure what to do with it. And what do you mean, what is up with my habit? Isn’t it obvious? I love the belly scratches and want to be ready for them at all times. The cats sleeping like croissants are just living in the dark ages.
What spawned your love for playing in the bathtub?
I can’t stand when someone is in the bathroom without me—I just know that something fun is going on in there and I have to check it out. I’ve found that if I hide in the bathtub, people cannot shut the door on me and I can see what they are trying to keep from me.
Does your enjoyment for the bathtub extend to you also loving real baths? No judgment if so, but cats that like baths are weird.
Frannie hasn’t tried to bathe me yet. She knows better.
Are you a cat that loves table scraps? What’s your favorite so far?
Just like Frannie, I love ice cream. I’ll lick the lid clean. My Aunt Cait also likes to bring me tuna during the day while I’m taking my nap. This gives me the protein I need to hunt in the middle of the night and really get the advantage over my mouse toy.
Speaking of food, are you more of a kneader (AKA “making biscuits” with your paws) or a scratch pad type of cat?
Definitely scratch. Having sharp claws is essential for my hunting practice. Frannie cut my nails once and I was so angry because I felt like the hands and toys around me were less afraid.
Frannie, how has Scottie changed your life for better, or for worse? Knowing cats, this could go either way.
Scottie is my whole world and has changed it for the better. Now, if you ask my friends who have to get at least three pictures of him a day? They might have a different answer to that question.
Pictured: A war criminal. Photo Courtesy of Frannie Skardon ‘21.
Okay, Scottie, let’s see if you can focus long enough to do a lightning round!
Cardboard box or squishy cat bed?
During the day, I like my bed. At night while people are sleeping, I love playing in my cardboard box. It is nice and loud.
Favorite spot to sun-bathe?
I’m not much of a sun-bather. It is lazy, dangerous, and wasteful. Instead, I prefer to be on bird-watch from one of the window sills.
Laser pointer or string?
String. I’ll jump on the laser pointer once or twice before I realize that I can’t physically attack it—boring.
What’s the name of your favorite toy or do you prefer to play with trash like my cats?
While I do love my mouse, I think the most fun thing in the house is my Aunt Taylor’s desk chair. I like to sit on it, swing my head, and make it move in circles. The thrill from the spin is unmatched.
Biggest “pet” peeve?
I don’t have many, but if I had to give one, I would say all people and anything that makes noise.
What time at night do you prefer to do the ‘zoomies’ and run around the apartment wildly?
Great question. For me, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. is the perfect time to play. I then take a little nap with Frannie, either under the blanket with her or wrapped around her head on the pillow. I’m then up again by 5 a.m. for sports practice by either hitting my loud ball around or house patrol to see who is awake.
On a scale of one to ten, how sassy would you describe yourself?
Two? On the scale of one to ten for anxiety and fear? Eleven.
How many belly rubs does Frannie get before you attack?
Belly rubs after I woke up from a nap? Seven. Belly rubs as I am falling asleep? As many as she can do. I have her well trained and she knows my belly must be rubbed.
Lastly, soft or crunchy treats?
Soft. Crunchy is too loud and scares me.
Frannie, are there any parting thoughts about Scottie you’d like to share or further convincing you think your readers will need to follow in your paw prints to adopt?
If anyone would like further information about Scottie, feel free to reach out for additional photos. I have lots. I also loved working with Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA and would highly recommend them if you are looking to adopt!
While my cat has grown out of her fear of her own shadow, I understand Scottie’s concern. After this article, I hope he gets comfortable with his new-found celebrity! Many thanks to Frannie and Scottie 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 the additional role as a surrogate pet parent for your classmate? 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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