Duffy and Fergie are Exotic Shorthair Cats – a cross between a Persian and American Shorthair. Often referred to as “the lazy man’s Persian,” this cobby, people oriented breed is popular for both its laid back personality and adorable smoosh face. Both cats were adopted from Helping Persian Cats, a rescue located in Southern California.
ABOUT DUFFY
Q1: First things first, what’s up with the tongue?
Answer: I am what is called a “tongue tipper.” I don’t know why or when I started tongue tipping, but some cats have jaw and teeth problems, and others just do it to look cute.
Unfortunately, I belong to the former category and had to have all but one canine removed. But don’t worry, I still eat everything in sight and it doesn’t stop me from leading the neighborhood watch!
*The human wants you to know that cat dental hygiene is very important, especially for smoosh faces, and that Fergie gets both dental treats and has her teeth brushed daily.
Q2: What is a derp and why are you so good at it?
Answer: A derp is when a cat makes a silly face or does something awkward or embarrassing. It often results in a lot of attention from the humans and sometimes even treats! I’m lucky because I’m a natural at derping. I have Resting Derp Face!
Q3: Can you tell us the story of how you and your human met?
Answer: It is still hard for me to talk about, but about 4 years ago I lost my first human to cancer. I was seven and used to being doted upon and the person who was left to care for me wasn’t a cat person. Thankfully he contacted Helping Persian Cats of Beverly Hills. My human had been on the lookout for a very chill cat that wouldn’t mind being bossed around by a very opinionated tortie gal. I was very scared when I first got to my new home and it took a whole year for me to let my human snuggle me, although I fell for my tortie girlfriend right away! Things are so much better now. Now I require multiple spooning sessions a day from my human and secretly run the show, all the while letting the females think they are actually in charge!
Q4: What are a few of your favorite things?
Answer: Wet noms, Ciao treats, yodeling, spooning with my human, and naps.
Q5: What are your dislikes?
Answer: Dingleberries, getting my nails trimmed, and baths.
Q6: How do you feel about costumes?
Answer: I don’t mind them. I’m a pretty chill guy, plus I get lots of treats and love from my human when I wear them.
ABOUT FERGIE
Q1: How do you feel about your bum taking the number two most liked picture of 2017 on Instagram?
Answer: I can’t believe my bum isn’t number one! (For those who haven’t seen the infamous fluffy butt, click here. )
Q2: We hear you were micro-chipped in France. Can you tell us more about your former life and how you met your human?
Answer: All I can reveal about my past is that I am a world traveler who has had many humans. I met my forever human two years ago at the age of six. She attended a Helping Persian Cats of Beverly Hills adoption event, but I was so popular she didn’t even get to hold me! The family that adopted me from that event was not the right fit, so Helping Persian Cats called my human. I am so glad they did, because my forever human really needed me. She was grieving the loss of her best friend, and first cat Squish and I would climb into her lap and comfort her while she cried. I wasn’t sure at first if this would be my forever home, but two years later I trust my human 100% and know I am right where I belong.
Q3: What are a few of your favorite things?
Answer: Food (both human and cat), my human and people in general (I’m a bit of a socialite), and getting my bum scratched.
Q4: What are your dislikes?
Answer: When the human goes on trips. Other than that, I am pretty easy to please and don’t ever meow!
Q5: How do you feel about costumes?
Answer: I refuse to wear them. I will tolerate a bow if there are treats involved, but my NOPE face is a favorite on Instagram. My human even posts a picture of me wearing a bow every Monday and hashtags it with #murderbowmonday!
ABOUT THE HUMAN
Ruth White lives in Los Angeles, CA and has her BS in Psychology and MA in Sociology with a Minor in Statistics. She spent the majority of her career evaluating government programs and policies. Her life changed the day her friend who worked at the Oakland Animal Shelter called to tell her she needed to come pick up a very sick “squish-faced” cat. Squish, as she was later named, was skin and bones and very sick with an upper-respiratory infection. The human fell in love with this outgoing, snorty little creature and had the privilege of being her guardian for 10 years.
The human’s Instagram account @SquishDelish was created to share pictures of Squish and has nearly 85k followers. It remains named in her honor and now features the antics of Duffy and Fergie. Follow her cats on Instagram at www.instagram.com/squishdelish or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/squishdelishcats.
Ruth White is using her background in psychology and sociology paired with her training in cat behavior to help prevent cats from being given up to shelters or euthanized. Learn more about the services Ruth provides as a Cat Behavior Consultant here.