Dakota
Barn Cat
Hi, my name is Dakota. I am Little Bit’s beloved now mostly-retired barn cat. I had a really great dad who worked for Little Bit back at the Woodinville facility, but I really liked the attention I got from Little Bit staff, volunteers, and participants, so I hung around more and more at Little Bit. When it was time for Little Bit to move to the new facility in Redmond, it was clear to my dad that I was meant to make the move as well.
I’m 22 now, but in my younger days I roamed all over the neighborhood in Redmond and the staff would often be worried about me because I couldn’t be found on hot summer days. One time, I was gone so long that the staff decided to post a flyer to see if anyone had seen me. They even went door to door to ask about me and found me sitting under a neighbor’s dining room table where I had been for several days. You see, I had discovered that homes with air conditioning were perfect hangouts during the summer!
Because I liked to wander, I found that cars could take me to new and exciting places. One day I jumped into a volunteer’s car and made it all the way down Avondale to Starbucks before I was discovered and brought back home.
Christmas time was the best! There were Christmas trees just for me to climb! I didn’t like leaving my perch in the tree, but staff members armed with oven mitts to protect them from my claws would spoil all my fun! They would remove me from the tree before closing for the night.
Through the years, I’ve welcomed hundreds of participants and their families, Little Bit staff, volunteers, and guests. For many I have been a warm, calm, and steady presence. Truth be told though it appeared as though I was just sleeping, I was really soaking up the love that was showered on me.
In 2020, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and needed an expensive medical treatment. I was feeling just awful, but the Little Bit family came together and raised the funds needed for my treatment in just four hours! Staff members took care of me by providing transportation and my care. I love them very much for that. After my treatment, I began to feel much better. So, thanks!
Since living at the new Little Bit property, I have been found in some unusual places! I have been found up in hay stack in the Hay Barn (looking for mousies). I’ve attended meetings of our Board of Trustees and volunteer meetings. I like to sit in the drinking fountain in the Welcome Center because I can watch everything that’s going on. I don’t know why they don’t like it when I perch on the warm roofs of cars. . . It’s the perfect place to sunbathe, along with the concrete sidewalk or grass outside. I even made an appearance at an Open House in the Murdock Arena where I visually demonstrated that the arenas are just giant litter boxes.
I sorta feel like no one feeds me enough, so I hound the front desk staff until they relent and feed me a few morsels. Since I’m allergic to many things I don’t get fancy treats. My kibble is good enough, though.
Now, despite being semi-retired, I continue to play an important role in the Little Bit family. I spend my days lazing away in my bed on the counter in the Welcome Center and my nights with a Little Bit staff member who lives in the Caretaker House.
I am happy to accept all of the loving attention I received! I lead paws-itively the best life ever!
Find more 50th anniversary stories HERE.
