My name is Viatkin and I am a designer cat.

Viatkin, the Designer Cat

My name is Viatkin. They call me a designer cat because of this orange stripe racing down my nose.

How did I become a designer cat?

It was 2007 and I was living in the woods behind the Westergard’s house. I didn’t know them then. A nice Russian lady next door named Luba found me. I was looking for a home for my 3 new-born kittens. But Luba could not keep us because she already had a cat. I even dropped them on top of her air conditioner in the window to make her change her mind.

it is where I was hidden with my three kittens

But one day this nice lady named Florence, came to visit and right away I liked her. I had to do something about my kittens because I was afraid that wild animals would kill them. So, while they were talking, I dropped my three kittens, one after the other, on the nice lady’s feet and that got her attention.

She left but came back a few hours later and carried me and my kittens to another house. The pretty yellow house that Craig and Florence used as an office. She put us in the utility basement just in time before a big storm. The place was damp but at least we were safe.

I stayed in the utility basement when I was moved to this house

We stayed there a few days but then the nice lady and her husband, Craig, took us inside the house. Craig was very nice, and he wanted to put me in one of the bathrooms. I didn’t feel comfortable being there so, I meowed and meowed until finally Craig ask me ‘’what do you want?’’ He followed me and I showed him where I wanted to be: in a dark closet where we would be safe. It was the beginning of a lasting friendship.

Craig, Viatkin and two of the kittens

After 8 weeks Craig,Florence and Luba found new homes for the kittens. I was sad but I was even more distraught when I heard that it was not practical to have a cat in an office and that they were thinking of giving me away too. Luba even found a home for me. Well, I gave my new owner such a hard time that she brought me back the next day. I was back with Craig and Florence just as I planned.

I am reviewing the plans!

I like being a designer cat. Every time a client comes, I want to be part of the conversation. Sometimes they push me away because I lay on the plans while a meeting takes place. It is my way of saying that I like what my owners are doing. They are a good architect and designer team. I wish I could help them in their work but all I can do is lay on their keyboard. I think I make more of a mess!

I also help Craig choose his socks. It is my favorite past time, especially when they are away. But sometimes he cannot find his socks because I hide them. It is a fun game for me. I don’t know for Craig!

I also like to follow them everywhere. They even tell me that I am like a dog! And can you believe that I have been living with them for the past 12 years.

They are now living in this yellow house and it is nice to be able to cuddle with them at night. I am also a good alarm clock and make sure to wake up my family by purring in their faces. I know that sometimes they want to sleep longer so I wait patiently.

I am not that perky anymore but I still greet their friends. I don’t like some of them so I go and hide. I love to be outside and I know that I make them crazy going in and out of the house. I want to make sure that they are there.

You wonder why the name Viatkin? Luba gave me my name. It reminded her of a famous Russian clown, Boris Viatkin. As most people cannot remember my name, they also call me Pumpkin.

This is my story. I love being Craig and Florence's Designer Cat.