Sophi Reaptress & Pogo
My partner, Jeremy, got Pogo for me as a surprise. We had just adopted our dog, Rocket, but Jeremy knew that I also wanted a cat. When some of his friends who live in Pittsburgh were passing through Philly, they secretly dropped off Pogo with him. I was working in my studio downstairs, where I do all my sewing, and Jeremy asked me to come upstairs. I saw a cat crate and some cat food but didn’t suspect anything—I was convinced that we were not going to get a cat since we already had Rocket. I didn’t even see the kitten inside the crate at first. Jeremy told me to look again, and I saw the cutest tiny kitten all the way in the back, looking a little scared. I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy I cried.
“A friend of mine taught Pogo how to high five, and I was so stoked that I thought up more. Now he knows how to high five, sit, lie down, and roll over. ”
My favorite thing about Pogo is his tail. It has a defect that makes it bend at a 90-degree angle. At first we thought it was broken and needed surgery, but we learned that he was born that way. His brother Foxbat, who still lives with his foster mom in Pittsburgh, has a zigzag tail too. My other two favorite things about Pogo: Even though his fur is mostly black, he has a little heart-shaped white spot on his belly, and he lets me teach him tricks. A friend of mine taught Pogo how to high five, and I was so stoked that I thought up more. Now he knows how to high five, sit, lie down, and roll over.
I remember how cute it was when we introduced our pup to our kitten. Rocket had left his favorite gross toy, Mr. Squirrel (RIP), in the same room where we put Pogo. Of course, Mr. Squirrel also became Pogo’s favorite toy. Rocket and Pogo sniffed each other under the door, and Pogo reached his claws underneath it, trying to play with Rocket. Eventually, we got comfortable enough to open up the door and let them run around together. Now they love each other like brothers. The funny thing is that Pogo is the tough one. He likes to hide by the door so that he can grab Rocket’s butt when he comes into the house. But I’ve also caught them sleeping next to each other, and it melts my heart. I love seeing them play. I would watch that all day if I could.
I spend a lot of time in my studio. Jeremy and I live and work in a huge space called The Convent, where he curates art shows and events in a little chapel upstairs and I make clothing in my studio downstairs. Pogo comes down to hang out with me, and will either sit with me on top of my chair or sleep on the couch. He also loves to creep around and hide in the long fabrics on my clothing rack. It’s all black, so he blends right in—you just see his two eyes staring out. He likes to hang out in the chapel, too. The old walnut pews have fancy red velvet cushions, and he stretches out on them like a king. He goes through phases where he prefers certain spots in the building, but I don’t think he has a favorite. He’s a little spoiled from having such a big place to run free.
Pogo loves to make me jealous. He purposely loves Jeremy more than he loves me. He would cuddle up to Jeremy no matter what. When Jeremy is working on an illustration, Pogo finds a way to be on his lap or at least sit nearby. When we go to bed, Pogo sleeps on Jeremy’s left arm, far away from me, not between us. Every once in a while, when Jeremy is away, he may decide that it is okay to love me. I always tell him “Oh, now you love me?” I still squeeze and kiss his cute face anyway.
Sophi is a clothing designer and co-owner of The Covent Creamery. She lives in a 1950s convent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she and her partner often host art shows.