Gandalf the Grey and Pickles
Gandalf: Short-hair grey cat, no specific breed
Pickles: Short-hair Tortoiseshell-like cat, Breed unknown
Neighborhood cats, no specific owner, interview with Senior Marketing Major Drew Ericson.
How did you and your cats meet?
My roommates and I rent a house in Searcy, and the previous tenants left their cats behind. The cats just roam the neighborhood now, and we and our neighbors feed them.
What is your cat’s favorite thing about living here or having your school friends over?
They both really like getting food, and Pickles is really affectionate and just loves being petted.
Do your cats have a favorite toy?
There’s a wood pile on our front porch and they like to use it like a scratching post.
Do your cats have any funny quirks?
Pickles was hit by a car and survived, so she doesn’t really walk straight anymore. She also doesn’t like to be picked up, but she’s very affectionate.
Gandalf is relatively shy, but he talks a lot. He’s very vocal, and we can hear them both meowing at the door from the living room.
What is your favorite thing to do with your cats?
We have a porch swing. Occasionally, I will do my homework out there, and they will jump up there and “help” me with my homework.
Do you have any funny stories about your cats?
We kept a friend’s puppy once, and Gandalf actually got along really well with the tiny puppy.
Pickles will always walk me to the door from my truck when I get home from school.
In your opinion, how are cats unsung heroes or underrated?
Obviously everybody talks about dogs and everybody loves dogs, but cats can be just as affectionate as dogs. Also, they’re so much more low-maintenance than dogs, especially outdoor cats. With these, I just feed them and give them fresh water and they love us.
