OGEA Animal Friends

by Brianna Chenevey

Darwin and Murphy, both domestic shorthairs, were adopted from a shelter. Dominic and Mindy Rizzi were visiting the shelter for the second time after their 13-year-old cat had passed away in August. According to Mindy, the family was “feeling in need of some life in their home”, when they came across Darwin, all black, and his brother Murphy, a grey tabby cat. Both kittens are now 8-months-old. They were named after two of the most famous scientists whose crucial discoveries and inventions changed the world, Charles Darwin and Edward Aloysius Murphy Jr. Of course, they also make great names for cats. During the day, Darwin and Murphy provide their family with endless love and entertainment. Although their personalities are quite different, they are very playful with one another. In fact, one of the most rewarding aspects of having the kittens has been watching them wrestle and play together. Besides playing with one another, Darwin and Murphy also enjoy playing with “Skinneeez Mice”, a fun mouse-shaped toy that contains catnip without the stuffing. Murphy also enjoys hunting down the laser pointer, or, as Mindy stated, “Any spot on the wall that moves.” Both kittens enjoy napping in the cat tree, on the couch, or anything soft and cozy. The majority of their nights are spent sleeping on the bed. Mindy Rizzi teaches math at Davis Junior High and Dominic Rizzi is the President of OGEA.