Tess Hwang, Baby & Boogie
My 15-year-old dachshund passed away right before the pandemic started, which was devastating. Being at home without him during the lockdown made it even worse, as I could feel how quiet and empty my apartment was. After hearing that animal shelters needed help fostering at the beginning of the pandemic, I quickly volunteered to foster a cat. I’ve been around cats since childhood, as one of my sisters had three cats at one point in her apartment. I myself have never owned a cat and was a bit nervous.
Baby came into my life very quickly. She arrived in my apartment two days after I signed up as a foster parent, and I scrambled to the nearest pet store to purchase everything I needed. Walking home with that bag of cat litter nearly did me in. I was lucky that Baby was my first cat. She was unafraid of humans and immediately started talking and giving me headbutts. I got the most talkative cat in the world, and she must be unique. It’s magical to receive and feel the comfort and love that is truly unconditional.
I wasn’t planning to keep her, but when the organization was ready to adopt her, I panicked and decided I did not want her to leave. She belongs with me.
Baby is the queen of the apartment. She's also vocal about her needs. I joke that she hosts an opera concert when her inner clock tells her it's time for her meal and her human needs to leave the bed immediately. She knows what the alarm means, and there is no tricking her.
“Boogie came into my life four months later as another foster. Boogie bonded with Baby, and I realized caring for a second cat was not a lot of extra work.”
Boogie came into my life four months later as another foster. Boogie bonded with Baby, and I realized caring for a second cat was not a lot of extra work.
Baby and Boogie have a typical sibling relationship, and Boogie is more playful and naughty. I hear Boogie cry for help because Baby will decide enough is enough and strike back. Did I mention Baby is 15 pounds and Boogie is 7 pounds?
I’ve lost count of the times I woke up in the morning and had to vacuum the small pile of soil on the floor. When I am not looking, Boogie gets curious and likes to nibble on the plants and step on the soil. I think one of my plants isn’t growing because it keeps getting harassed by her, as evidenced by the small dent in the pot the size of a cat paw.
My job requires that I work in the office most days of the week. When I get home, I love opening the door and seeing both of them waiting for me with their little eyes looking up. We spent much time on the couch with both lying on top of me. One plops on my chest, and the other nestles between my legs as I catch up on the latest tv shows. I am their space heater during the winter.
Tess is an educator and works with teachers and students to provide accessible economic education. Hailing from Taiwan, Tess has been in NY for seven years and will often spend her spare time visiting museums and experiencing art.