VMCVM Pet Spotlight: Velcro
What’s your name, and do you think it’s as awesome as you are?
Velcro, and I guess it’s cool. I don’t ever answer to it. I more often answer to “CAT!”
Who is your human and what is their role at the veterinary college?
My mom is Katherine Harshman, and she won’t shut up that she’s an LVT – but she also works in Advancement as the development associate and often refers to herself as the “office extrovert."
What kind of critter are you, and what makes your breed (or mix) totally pawsome?
I’m a 12-pound (lean build, I’m just big boned) black cat and my mom often refers to me as "the softest ever."
How many candles are on your birthday cake this year — or are you keeping that a secret?
My mom gave me 14 kisses in April because she said it was my ‘birthday’ if that’s what you’re referring to. Idk, I just wanted food. Which she didn’t give me. Rude, especially on my birthday.
Where did you find your human, and what made you pick them?
I was brought in by another human because they found me. Mom was feeding me and I got excited and bit her finger (not hard) and she thought it was endearing. (Spoiler: She no longer finds my food drive endearing… again, rude…)
How would you describe yourself: a snugglebug, a wild child, or the boss of the house?
D. All of the above.
Mom and I spoon every night. I lay right in her armpit or neck-nook. I chew up paper and cardboard everywhere and make my own confetti. She does not appreciate my artistic license. … Nothing is safe, including birth certificates and SSN cards. (Honestly? Your fault for leaving it out…) And, since she takes special time to have a cat-sitter when she leaves, and I get prescription diet for my issues, and blankets cover things at night, I’d say I’m in charge, no?
What’s your signature move to get attention — puppy eyes, zoomies, or something else?
Well, please see aforementioned cardboard chewing, but in addition to that, I tap cords, pull on mirrors (poorly secured to a door, it’s loose and makes noise) and anything else in the middle of the night because I’m clearly starving and they have the audacity to sleep through my misery. I also like jumping up in the lap of those who don’t want me, and snuggling so cutely that they let me stay. I give kisses (really trying to get the chips out of your mouth, though) and meow - a lot.
Do you have a favorite toy that you’d fight a dragon to keep?
My mom’s hands when she pets me too long. All the others get eaten by the entertainment center or couch and she takes forever to give them back… ☹
What’s your go-to snack, and how do you convince your human to hand it over? (Do you have a secret trick?)
Please see the aforementioned ways in which I get attention. She gets annoyed enough she will give me like 3 kibbles. Wash, rinse, repeat. She says she’s enabling me, but I really think I’m just working on her training. She’s doing great!
Also, catnip. I crack-out on catnip.
What’s the most epic adventure you’ve had with your human?
One time when we lived with my grandparents, I got into a closet and no one saw. My mom spent a day and a half looking for me and had the entire family searching out at night with flashlights and the works! I finally got hungry enough, or maybe I had to pee (?) but I made some noise and grandpa let me out. Mom was so relieved, but said she’d kill me. Seems like a weird affectionate phrase to me.
What’s something you did that left your human totally speechless — good or bad?
Okay – stay with me. It was my fault, and I’m okay. But I went for a ride in the dryer like 10 years ago and the vet was surprised I survived. I did chip my ischium (butt bone) and had a sore butt for a bit, but mom got me some attention and medicine and I was good. I’ve never laid on another warm load in the dryer again (dark load – black cat – don’t mix)
What’s your best “I’m too cute to handle” pose for the camera?
Any of them. Have you seen me?
Describe a day in your fabulous life. Do you work hard or hardly work?
Who on earth would WANT to work hard? Pfft. Dogs. It sounds like a dog's job.
Do you have any rituals with your human, like belly rub o’clock or snack time at sundown?
She walks in the door, I scream until there's food in my bowl. (Are you catching a theme?)
I run and show her where it is so she doesn't forget.
What’s your relationship status with other animals? BFFs, frenemies, or “it’s complicated”?
Well, I have a pretty cool sister at home. She’s a dog. She’s not a bad one though. She mostly lounges around, and we play sometimes. Mom likes to bring other random animals home (mostly dogs) and I don’t love those, but I only hide for like 20 minutes until I know they won’t eat me and I then resume normally scheduled programming.
Do you have any party tricks that wow the crowd?
Uh? People seem to like that I don’t mind being picked up, getting a bath, and I give “kisses”… Also, my ability to precisely position myself so that no cameras can detect me.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Eating non-stop and never getting full or sick. Yeah…
What’s one thing your human should learn from you?
How. To. Chill. Out. Oh my god… she’s so amped all the time.
What’s the best thing about being your human’s sidekick?
When she’s not looking, sometimes I steal fritos and popcorn from her…
Anything else you want to bark, meow, chirp, neigh, or squeak to the readers? (This is your moment!)
Getting a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll fit the mold. I’ve had urinary issues since I was 2, and mom was told I had a heart murmur and possible HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) at 4 years old. It was confirmed via ultrasound when I was a bit older, and despite a lot of cats passing pretty young with this heart issue, here I am! 14 years old and still annoying mom and dad! 😊
