Annie Hudson & Mo
When you meet me and find that I live with a cat you’d think I’m a cat person. But when you hear that I own a dog-walking business you’d think I’m a dog person. Neither is true. I’m an animal person. The notion of Dogs vs Cats was always so silly to me. Just like all beings, they are amazing in their own ways. I also give a massive side-eye to anyone who doesn't like cats because they do things on their own terms. Shouldn’t we all strive to give and receive consent when dealing with others? That being said, I had no intention of adopting a cat or any other animal companion. However, just over a decade ago I was living in Bushwick and this very handsome and super vocal street cat had other plans. My roommate had a dog and this super friendly cat would run up to rub faces with him and get a good sniff in. They quickly became BFFs! He eventually learned that I always had dog treats on hand and knew how to get them! He’d begun to meet me at my building in the morning and walk me towards the L train. On the way home, I’d call to him with tongue clicks and this fuzzy loudmouth would come frolicking over! One day he looked like he wanted pets but I’d dealt with enough cats with big boundaries that I hesitated. Well, never a man afraid of going after what he wants, he thrust himself up onto his hind legs and brushed his own forehead with my hand! The cutest move ever! My heart never stood a chance. A big snow blew in one day and I saw him curled up on someone’s stoop with the little female cat he would roam with. They were holding each other with snow falling on them. My heart broke. I watched and asked myself, “am I going to have to get cats?” And then I thought, ‘what would I name them?’ We lived on Moffat St which is where this feline and I developed a relationship. I decided that Mo would be a good name for him. She had a white star shape on her chest. My roommates and I were from Texas, so I decided Lonestar would be perfect for her. And once I knew their names, Mo & Lonestar, I knew that I was indeed going to have to get cats.
One day I found Mo & Lonestar at the front door. I’d already purchased everything for them so I called my roommate and he came down and grabbed happy-go-lucky Mo. Lonestar wasn’t as docile and when I picked her up with ill-prepared hands, she scratched me and fled for her life. Sadly, she never came near me again. These days I’d know to get help to rescue her but back then I was ignorant of how to get her back. I still feel guilt over that and think about her all the time… The first order of business for Mo was a flea bath! We expected our faces to get ripped off but the little guy just made lots of sounds of frustration. Not one claw mishap! As Mo settled in I began to wonder if he actually thought he was a dog. He’s super vocal and responsive to humans, he plays fetch, he loves belly rubs, and when the door buzzes he runs to the door to greet whoever is visiting! Any time I bring a doggy client over, he is quick to make friends with them (sometimes even to the dog’s horror and confusion)! He loves visiting dogs for long overnight stays with me. When I walk through the door after work he yells at me until I sit down on the floor with him. He is a ground kitty and prefers to be on the floor rather than up high… like a dog. Everyone is always impressed with how much he has to say. I swear he’s even yelling his name over and over again like “”MO! MO!” When it’s second breakfast time I think he’s screaming “Now!” So demanding! If only I could get him to say his full name, Mospeh Junior III.
As companions across 3 boroughs for a decade, we’ve seen some hard times together. He’s seen me flat broke, been my rock as I recovered from a psychologically abusive relationship, and napped beside me as I spent many hours building a business. I’ve supported him as he slowly had most of his teeth removed due to gum disease and helped heal him from IBD flare-ups. When covid hit, I had to shut my business down for months. I didn’t have a partner or a pod so I, like many others, felt the depravity of touch. Having this 16-pound baby boy curl up on me was EVERYTHING. We made a ritual of brewing coffee while he had first breakfast, then sitting on the floor in front of the sunniest window with fuzzy blankies, pillows, coffee, and a book. Every morning when he’d see me begin to prep the space, he’d come barreling over with excited meows and stomp all over everything as I was setting it up. He wouldn't quiet down until my butt hit the floor and he was able to sink into my lap. Those moments were priceless. They kept me going. Knowing this purrfect little boy needed me to care for him gave me the strength I needed to make it through and rebuild my horribly affected business. Caring for him every day is an honor.
Annie Hudson lives with Mo in Brooklyn. She is the owner of the dog walking and training company Hudson’s Hounds NYC (@hudsonshoundsnyc) which operates in the Financial District of Manhattan. She loves to frolic with her chosen family to pop-up markets and vegan restaurants. She can be seen having a picnic in Prospect Park or enjoying a fancy cocktail somewhere cute and cozy with loved ones.