Hannah Kwagh & Lucy
I never considered myself to be a cat person when I moved to New York 10 years ago. I didn’t grow up around them, mainly because my mother was highly allergic, and didn’t know many people with cats.
When COVID came to NY, it hit my life hard. Early on, I lost my grandfather and watched the city shut down while people around me left NYC for good. I was fortunate to have job security, but work was intense. My company was racing to develop a medicine for COVID, which often meant working around the clock with an urgency that made it feel impossible to focus on anything else. It all left me feeling overwhelmed and alone a lot of the time. Then, I ended up fostering my best friend’s cat while she moved to London for a year, and it completely changed my relationship with cats.
Scar was a 16-pound gray Maine Coon who loved to go on walks, snack on whatever he could get his paws on, and keep me company while I worked. He made me realize how great companion cats could be, and how much I wanted one in my life more permanently one day. After a year together, I moved back to Brooklyn and Scar went back to his human, and I once again found myself being solo in my apartment.
In December 2021, I heard about a cat adoption event at @BushwickBark, featuring local non-profits including @whiskers_agogo. I was immediately drawn to Lucy, a two-year-old fluff ball with a spotted hair pattern, green eyes, a little dark ‘smudge’ above her mouth, and the longest whiskers I’ve ever seen. I was head over heels once she nestled her head into my arms when I picked her up for the first time. There were multiple applications for her already, so I nervously waited for a phone call. I almost screamed when I heard mine was accepted and I got to bring her home the week of Christmas.
“I bought as many toys as I could to keep her company, and of course, the only thing she wanted to play with was a piece of wire and cardboard. ”
When I brought Lucy home, I figured it would take a while for her to adjust to the new space, but she was immediately playful and curious and wanted to explore every inch of my apartment. I bought as many toys as I could to keep her company, and of course, the only thing she wanted to play with was a piece of wire and cardboard.
Her favorite spot quickly became the windowsill, where she looks out and watches the birds and squirrels passing by. I constantly find her in a staring contest with one particular squirrel that will get inches away from her face.
During the first few weeks of living together, she was friendly but maintained her personal space and slept in her own spot on the couch. Then, I ended up getting COVID the week of my birthday and was stuck in bed for a few days. One day she just hopped into bed and curled up next to me, as if she knew I needed to be comforted. After that, I felt like we were bonded; she hasn’t left my side since.
It’s been one year since I started living with Lucy, and she is to this day one of the most affectionate cats I’ve ever known. You will always find her sitting on my lap, standing guard when I’m in the bathroom, and sleeping with me at night. She wakes me up every morning by climbing onto my chest and giving me kisses or curling up next to me like a little spoon. I can’t tell you the number of days I ran late because I didn’t have the heart to end a cuddle session too soon. She’s also incredibly smart and recently started learning a few tricks. On a good day, she will sit, shake paws, spin, and give me a high five on command. With lots of treats, of course.
I still mostly work from home and love having her company throughout the day. She’ll sit on my lap during meetings and on more than one occasion, has jumped on my shoulder from the couch while on a video call. On the days I go into the office, I know I’ll find her waiting at the door for me at home, ready to give me hugs.
It's funny to think that something that didn’t exist in your life a year ago could become so important in such a short amount of time. I wanted to do this shoot to commemorate our first year together.
Hannah is a communications professional at a biotech company, living in Brooklyn, NY.