Carly Migliori & Clarence
Clarence is a luxury boy to his core. I adopted him at 5 months old from the shelter ARF Hamptons, so he’s fancy by birth. He’s a 9-year-old sleek, black shorthair with a velvety coat and sassy personality. We both share big Scorpio energy—a little mysterious and skeptical of others, but fierce, loyal, and passionate too. I named him after Clarence Clemons, the late, larger-than-life saxophone player from the E Street Band. I like to think my Clarence embodies some of the Big Man’s personality too.
When I adopted him, I was living with a roommate and one of his cats at the time. Clarence was a truly nuts kitten and annoyed the other cat to no end. He thrives as the center of attention, which worked out perfectly that he’s the first pet I’ve had as an adult. Our obsession is mutual. We’ve lived in four apartments across Queens and Brooklyn. In our place in Bed Stuy now, he loves getting to see outside through the big sliding glass doors and has lots of room to run and chase toys. I live in a duplex, so he gets his steps in by racing up and down the stairs a few times a day.
“For a birthday years ago, my friends commissioned this amazing oil painting of Clarence. I once joked about having a portrait of him dressed as a pirate, and they took it to heart. Months later, this masterpiece arrived at my apartment. It’s one of my most prized possessions.”
Clarence loves the finer things—plush blankets, some roast turkey for a treat, and taking up as much room as possible when he sleeps. When I work from home, he lounges nearby my desk, curled up in his bed by the sliding glass doors. And when he feels like working, he’ll be on bird watch for a bit, chirping away. It’s Clarence’s world, and we’re all living in it.
For a birthday years ago, my friends commissioned this amazing oil painting of Clarence. I once joked about having a portrait of him dressed as a pirate, and they took it to heart. Months later, this masterpiece arrived at my apartment. It’s one of my most prized possessions.
A couple of times a year, I take him to visit my parents in Pennsylvania. I call it his Country Home. The three-hour car ride is about the max either of us wants to travel by car, so once he’s there, he will take some big stretches on the kitchen floor, wiggling around like he’s dancing. My parents spoil him with treats and new toys each time he visits, so I think he quite enjoys himself there. He’ll often perch up on a shelf and oversee my family as we eat dinner or play board games at the kitchen table. He’s always in charge.
The best part of having a pet is their unconditional love. Anytime I need a pick me up, I’ll grab Clarence for a snuggle. I couldn’t have gotten through the pandemic without him keeping me company. We spent lots of time curled up on the couch watching Law and Order: SVU marathons or taking naps to pass the time. He’s lucky to not know the harsh realities the pandemic created but could sense when I was feeling bummed out about it all. I’ve gotten a lot of extra head butts since March 2020.
Carly Migliori is an executive in the audio industry and is currently Vice President of Partnerships at Pushkin Industries, home to podcasts like The Happiness Lab and Revisionist History. She spends her time entertaining friends on her patio, watching reality TV, learning about food and wine, and is always planning her next vacation.