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: Danielle, veterinary care provider

  • Monster, DSH
  • Morgan, DSH
  • Purr-Baby, DSH
  • Black-Butt (a.k.a., Frenchy), DSH
  • Larry, pit bull/shar pei mix
  • Five pocket pets: Swiper, Turbo, Slinky, Meeko and Hershy
  • Saltwater aquarium

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

I truly love all animals, but would have to say that cats hold that extra special place in my heart. I think it is because of the kittens I have fostered and bottle-raised over the years. That experience has created a bond that is hard to explain.

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

Which one? Haha! I have so many!  I got my first two cats, Monster and Morgan, from the first veterinary hospital I ever worked for back in Florida. They were too cute not to take home!

As for my two younger cats, Purr-Baby and Black-Butt, they were two of four kittens I fostered and bottle-raised for Rancho Coastal Humane Society. I got them when they were just a few days old. By the time they were eight weeks old, I couldn’t imagine life without them!

Larry came to me through a client at The Drake Center. She rescued him from a kill shelter on his “last day.” She was so kind to open her home to him while she searched for a forever family. Fortunately, I happened to be searching for a dog and was lucky enough to be his technician the day of his first exam. He was such a kind and gentle old man and I immediately knew it was meant to be. He went home with me that night!

I didn’t choose any particular breed, I just chose my pets!

What is special about your pets?

There are too many things to list! They all have very different personalities.

Monster is the “guard cat.” He is sweet, but if you’re an “intruder” in his house, he will let you know! He follows strangers around like a hawk and keeps an extra special eye on them. If there is any funny business, he will jump up the person’s leg just to hear them scream! He likes people to know he is the boss.

Morgan is the sweetest cat I have ever met. The only thing she cares about is being cuddled! She gets excited about food too, but would still choose being touched over being fed if she had her way!

Purr-Baby is special in too many ways to list! Her middle name is “Favorite”—but don’t tell the other cats that. She was the first to purr in her litter at a whopping six days old! Her purr continues to be the loudest, squeakiest purr I have ever heard.

Black-Butt is special because she has the coolest “I don’t care” attitude! Usually cats can be a little stuck up, but not her. She has no care in the world! Her name is Black-Butt because there were two orange females in the litter. They were impossible to tell apart, so I colored a tiny dot of black on her lower back with a marker and the name just stuck! Her nickname is Frenchy because she gives kisses! I would say that is pretty special, too!

Larry is just a special boy all around. He even smiles when he greets you! He literally shows his teeth in excitement. Some people think it’s a bit scary, but I promise he is just happy!

The pocket-pets are special because although they are small, they still hang out with the cats and dog like they are one of them! They roll around with the cats, and just make our lives fun!

What is the cutest thing about your pets, physically?

Everything!

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

I don’t think I let them get away with too much, actually. The one thing I do let Black-Butt get away with is climbing on the kitchen table. She jumps up, so I tell her to get down. When she doesn’t, I stand up to get her and she jumps down quickly, rolls on her back and starts purring and meowing for me to pet her. How can you be mad at that?!

What is your favorite memory or story about your pets?

My favorite memory with my pets is moving across the country in a Penske truck with all of us crammed together in the front seat—not to mention the hotel visits along the way! It was an adventure, to say the least!

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

Craziness, fun, chaos and lots of love!