Paulina Pinsky & Jack

"My adoration and obsession with Jack Bird Pinsky is unfounded, unprecedented, and confusing, because I am damaged goods. I had a terrorist for a cat growing up. He would bite me on the face if I got too close; my mother would always laugh and say, “That’s a love bite! He loves you!” But I knew better.Cats did not compute. When I walked into any home and found a cat, I would freeze. Is it going to shoot pee at me? I never knew how to handle them.

“This one, I want to see this one, Kathy.” I slathered Purell on my undamaged hand as the cage door flung open. He stayed in the same position, lounging like a celebrity on vacation in the Keys. I cautiously put my hand out, and he didn’t move. His energy seemed even to welcome my curiosity. I paused, and proceeded to slowly slide my hand along his back. He continued to look at me with the eyes of a teen pop star who just made it big, trying to make me fall in love with him so that I will spend money on him. I pet him again, and again, and again, until his hind leg came up-- and rather than sinking his teeth into my hand-- he slowly moved my hand away from his body. For someone who struggles with boundaries, it was amazing to find a cat who had strong ones.Pulling my hand away from the cage, I stood up and looked at Kathy: “He’s the one.” I fell in love at first hind leg push."Paulina Pinsky is currently a Nonfiction Creative MFA Candidate at Columbia University. But she also has fun! Not just a big ol' nerd grad student! She is part of the improvised spooky mystery "Shit Scaredless" at the Pit Loft. Next show is November 3 at 11 PM. Currently residing on the Upper West Side, her social media handle is @mizpiggy on Instagram and Twitter.