ANDRE BEGIN

Throughout the decade that Ivy the Cat and I have been together, I have received a number of compliments on her name. The truth is that I really cannot take credit for it.

When I was looking to adopt a cat, my partner found her on the Ottawa Humane Society website. In the post, our future little room-mate was referred to as Mary. It’s not like the name would necessarily influence my adoption decision, but I assume that this was the name that the Humane Society staff gave her when she was brought in as a stray.

By some coincidence, she was placed with the pet store nearest to my house. Was this a sign? The universe was certainly paving the way to make our meeting easy. My partner suggested that I stop in and see her after work to see if we clicked.

When I went to meet her, I asked the clerk for details about Mary. After discussing her habits, likes and dislikes, she went on to share that when Mary arrived, she thought that she didn’t really look like a Mary. When she mentioned it to management, they asked her what name she thought would fit better. After careful thought, she suggested that perhaps the name Ivy was a better fit. From that point on, even though on paper she was referred to as Mary, at the pet shop she became known as Ivy.

After two visits during which I got to know the very calm and serene Ivy, I decided that we were a good match and I started adoption proceedings.
When I went to pick her up, the clerk was curious to know what name I would use. By that point, I had no specific reason to change her name. If she took to the name Ivy for the duration of her stay, who was I to confuse matters by changing her name again. So the name Ivy stuck as we started our life together.

As I got to know this adorable little cat, her personality started to shine through. There was no doubt in my mind that she was an extrovert given the extent to which she enjoyed hanging out with humans. Also, she was (and still is) pretty clear in terms of what she needs and when she needs it. What is most fascinating is the extent to which she can be quite headstrong.

For example, when we’re outside for a leash walk, when I announce that it’s time to go in, she can ignore me altogether or pull me in the opposite direction. Similarly, there are days when her routine of wet food in the morning and dry food in the afternoon is suddenly flipped around with no prior notice or communication, followed by a look of deep disappointment. Or, on days when she may have had her full complement of treats, she will give me the innocent look and hang around the cabinet where she knows where they are hiding.

It was then that I wondered if maybe the Humane Society had witnessed any of these “contrary” moments and named her Mary accordingly.

Just the same, she is a cat with a clear case of selective hearing. There are days when she won’t respond to her official name nor her given name. That’s just the way it is.

Did I ever contemplate changing her name since? Not really. Of course, she gets called any number of terms of endearment like Sweetie, Sweetheart and occasionally Pumpkin. But the name Ivy has been a constant. As a first time pet parent, I didn’t have much time to worry about her name. My energy and headspace were needed for learning everything I could about keeping her happy, healthy and thriving.

Ten years later, as she sleeps contentedly in my lap, I like to think that I was successful in that very important mission and am most grateful for all of the wonderful time we have spent together.

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André