July 2026 Pet of the Month - Callie

Callie is a Calico cat adopted from the Patti Baker Humane Society Naples. She has been a beloved member of her family since she was several months old.

She also became a special friend to us.

Callie's family lived next door, and one day they let her stroll along the balcony outside their apartment. Curious about how she and our cat Casey might get along, we let Casey out to meet her. Casey had been friendly with their previous cat, who lived to the impressive age of 19, but we weren't sure how he'd react to this energetic young newcomer.

The answer came quickly—they bonded almost instantly.

When Callie's parents encouraged her back inside, Casey simply followed her into the apartment. After a little playful wrestling, Casey began exploring the apartment as if he owned the place.

That first meeting led to a daily 4:00 PM play date. We knew both cats enjoyed it because around 3:45 each afternoon, they would take up positions by their respective doors and wait expectantly.

Their play sessions followed a familiar pattern. They'd wrestle for a while, then Callie would take charge and redirect the action. Sometimes she'd dash into the bedroom doorway while Casey sat on the other side, and they'd bat at each other with their paws. Other times, she'd crawl beneath the couch and extend a paw, clearly inviting another round of sparring.

When one of them tired, Casey would stroll the perimeter of the living and dining rooms before deciding whether he was ready for another round.

Although Callie enjoyed her daily visits with Casey, she was generally a shy little girl. When strangers arrived, she usually disappeared. If the house was quiet and visitors were patient, she might eventually emerge and reward them with her company. Once she trusted someone, however, she was a sweet and affectionate companion.

Sadly, Casey died in January 2025.

For a time afterward, Callie still went to the door at 4:00 PM, seemingly hoping her friend would arrive for their daily play date.

Then, in August 2025, Callie lost her mom. Within a few months, her dad moved to a new home. It was a difficult year for this gentle cat. Nearly everything familiar to her—her friend, her routines, and her home—changed within a matter of months.

For a while, Callie seemed withdrawn and uninterested in much of anything. But little by little, she began adapting. She found new favorite places, developed new routines, and eventually started sleeping on the bed with her dad.

Despite all the changes and losses she experienced, Callie never became destructive or difficult. She remained the same sweet, resilient cat she had always been.

We're happy to see that this introverted little girl has found her footing again and is settling into a new chapter of her life.