A Volunteer Falls in Love on the Job
Sep 20, 2021
Q&A with Brianna Allen
Brianna Allen is a long-time PAWS advocate and volunteer. She met a cat named Rudy Rudy while working at our Lincoln Park Adoption Center (LPAC) and felt an immediate spark of chemistry. After working with Rudy Rudy every week through our Cat Pawsitive Pro clicker training program, Brianna became completely smitten and decided to take him home for good.
When and how did you start volunteering with PAWS?
I began volunteering at the PAWS Medical Center in April 2019. I had been a TEAM PAWS Chicago runner prior to that and knew I wanted to do more by volunteering. I started at the Medical Center as a L1 cat care volunteer and worked my way up to an L2 at LPAC. I love the Medical Center and still volunteer there weekly.
How did you meet Rudy Rudy?
I met Rudy Rudy when he arrived at the Medical Center in June 2019. I knew he was a special guy and figured he'd be adopted quickly. Unfortunately (and fortunately) it didn't work out that way. I really got to know Rudy Rudy during the Cat PAWSitive Pro clicker training program. Each week I had the opportunity to work with him and better understand his personality. We built a good relationship and understanding of each other.
What were your first few weeks with Rudy Rudy like?
The first night was a rough one! Rudy Rudy stayed in the extra bedroom because we have resident cats (Cleo and Figaro). We learned quickly that he didn't like being alone because he cried all night. But it was a pleasant surprise to see that he and our cats got along really well, wrestling, chasing, and playing at all hours of the day and night. Rudy Rudy also loves to sleep in the bed with us—he has claimed a fuzzy blanket which he hops on at night, making biscuits before curling up to sleep.
How did you decide to adopt Rudy Rudy after fostering?
We knew going in that if Rudy Rudy and our resident cats got along, we'd be adopting him. He has such a unique personality and deserved a home where he could be himself and people understood and respected him. We knew we could give him that.
Does Rudy Rudy have a new name now that you’ve adopted him?
He is and always will be Rudy Rudy! But he does have some nicknames, including Sir Rudolph the Brave and Schmoo/Schmoodles.
How do you and Rudy Rudy spend your days together?
Rudy Rudy and I continue to work on clicker training when he feels like it. He's quite good at high-fives, shake, sit, spin, jumping over a bar, and ringing a bell! He enjoys a good brushing and is amenable to all sorts of petting and kisses. We have our routine of breakfast prep where he leans against me and wraps his tail around my leg. When he's wound up, but the other cats aren't, we play with a wand toy or his fuzzy llama. He's always nearby when I'm working, either in the crate by my desk or sleeping behind my computer.
What do you love most about Rudy Rudy?
I love his curiosity and how he runs into a room with eyes wide, eager to check out anything new and give me a good sniff down after a trip to PAWS. I also love how he curls up on his security blanket with the most content look on his face. He constantly makes us smile with his adorableness, silly sleeping locations and positions, and his raucous late-night play sessions. We are so grateful to have Rudy Rudy in our lives and look forward to many years with him!