Yoga cat and puppy bonds

12/4/2024

Pet owners may declare they are either dog lovers or cat lovers. Gary Hepker doesn’t need to decide on either.

He likes both.

Gary recently adopted Gracie, a 9-month-old mini goldendoodle. He desired a small dog for a long time and was on the waiting list at the Animal Rescue League (ARL), but he couldn’t find one. He found a puppy instead.

“I always wanted a full-size golden retriever, but, due to the size (and living in a townhome), I got the next-best thing.” 

Gracie joins three cats at home. Merlin is an American shorthair, Thor is an 8-year-old British blue, and Chuck is a ginger cat named after Chuck Norris.

Gary attended an ARL fundraising yoga with pets event. Adoptable kittens were featured, and they purred and rubbed their way through attendees. Hepker found himself doing yoga poses alongside a cute ginger kitten.

“He was a rambunctious ginger kitten,” he recalls. “We bonded at the event.” 

Chuck and the new puppy, Gracie, are best buddies. 

“He takes a lot of abuse from Gracie. Gracie has a lot of energy,” says Hepker.

Hepker has had pets his whole life, including one cat who lived to be 18 years old. He’s fostered cats, and most of his cats were adopted from the ARL. He also adopted a cat from the annual pet show held at Adventureland.

Merlin, a 5-year-old cat, tends to hang out on the top of the kitchen cupboard to get a view of all the activity among the other pets. Since the arrival of a new dog, the cats are more active. 

“All the cats like to chase laser lights.” 

One reason he wanted a dog is to be more social and take her places. He has trained Gracie so he can take her to the dog days at Iowa Cubs baseball games. When he goes through the drive-thru at Dairy Queen, Gracie gets her own pup cup. 

In his neighborhood, many folks are out walking their dogs. He’s met more neighbors because of his dog. 

“Lots of people stop me to say how cute she is,” he explains. “She gets a lot of attention.” 

He admits to pampering his pets, as Gracie visits the groomer often. 

“I probably spoil them more than I should. I give them the best food,” he says. 

Hepker likes all of his animals, not citing any favorites. 

“They’re just good company. They don’t sass back, and they’re good to have around,” he reflects.

Now that he has both a dog and cats, he’s realized one difference. 

“Dogs take up a lot of time. They’re almost like a child,” he says. “Cats are easier to take care of.”