There are plenty of pets that live on the Conley Farm. Of course, there is the top dog Gabe, but there is plenty of love and affection left for my cats Poirot, Peaches and my duck Corona. I know Gabe gets most of the attention in this blog and deservedly so, but I wanted to shift focus this month to my cat Poirot as she just turned 17 (85 in human years) on August 6th.

Poirot is a Siamese/Russian Blue cross that I got way back in 2008 when I graduated from Gardner-Webb and finished an internship at the Department of Labor in Washington, DC. She is named after the great detective of Agatha Christie’s creation, Hercule Poirot. In the books, Poirot often brags about his “Little Gray Cells” and since my cat is grayish-blue and Poirot is one of my favorite literary characters, the name was a perfect fit.

Poirot has lived a full life in her 17 years. She has had two litters of kittens and put up with the boundless energy and mostly unwanted affection of not one, but two Chessies. When I first got Poirot in October of 2008, my first Chessie Molly was 3 years old. Well of course, the first thing Molly did was  go investigate and sniff this new gray fluffball. One scratch across the nose and Molly learned not to mess with Poirot. Fast forward to 2021 and an almost identical scenario played out except it took Gabe several swats across the nose to learn to leave Poirot alone. He is a stubborn boy but has now learned to be satisfied just chasing Peaches.

I’ve had plenty of cats over my lifetime and each one was special, but Poirot is particularly unique. After 17 years, she knows my habits. Each time I lay down on my bed for a nap, she comes running and curls up in just the right spot for me to reach her for the best pets. If I am late laying down, Poirot will jump up and sit on my keyboard until I decide to surrender to the inevitable, stop work and go lay down. If I do not pet her long enough, she will swat me on the nose to let me know when to continue and when to stop. I am well trained.

What do you get a cat for their 17th birthday? Why not try Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treat Dog & Cat Food Topper? It comes in the same three great flavors as the regular dog treats (Cheese & Bacon, Pumpkin Peanut Butter and Dragon Slayer) but goes on top of the petfood to enhance its flavor.

Gabe gobbles down anything at first sight, so his appetite is not an issue, but Poirot is a bit more picky. It might be just the thing for her. I can’t wait to try it.
I’m also excited that Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats is expanding their reach. Now their products are not just for dog people but cat owners, as well. It also means that more people will be reached with Arin’s story and the message of disability inclusion. It’s a win-win for pets and their owners.

Happy Birthday Poirot! Thanks for being the best cat anyone could have asked for over the past 17 years. No matter how many more years we have left together, I’m sure we will have plenty of (indoor) adventures together.