Updated for 2023! Welcome to the fourth installment of “Get to Know the GD Team!” After sharing the music that fuels our days, our most revered album artwork, and inspirational design trends, we thought it was important to talk about the real issues: PETS. However, we won’t be describing our animals in the normal sense (e.g. Loves ruining any and all furniture, can only eat hypoallergenic food, jumps on visitors). Instead, we’ll be describing them based on the television characters they would play if they were humans. Read on to learn about our star-studded cast of favorite fur babies.
Brenda Riddell, Owner/Creative Director
Resident Pup: Otto (A.K.A. Ottonomous D.O.G. — and his friends at doggie daycare call him Ottobot)
Otto is a lot like Piglet from Winnie the Pooh. He’s small, cute, timid, innocent, and at times, anxious. But, he has a big heart and tries to be brave to protect his family and friends, especially from the scary chipmunks in our yard that tease him daily. He’s also a little like Joey Tribiani from Friends…goofy, loyal, and loves food and the ladies.
Nathaniel Raymond, Designer/Illustrator
Favorite Fur Baby: Oblina the Cat (A.K.A. Oblilbo, Boo)
Oblina is a cat and therefore only engages in activities that interest her: lap-sitting, box-napping, and potted-meat-eating. She is prone to the zoomies on occasion.
We couldn’t decide if she was more Creed Bratton, Stanley Hudson, or April Ludgate. She’s basically all the surly, lazy, hungry, weirdos on TV. And she sometimes sleeps under the couch.
Sydney Bilodeau, Creative Services Project Manager
Peggy and Winnie (A.K.A. Pegatron, Teeny P, Pegster, Pegaroni, Win, Weiner, Weenie, Winnifred (when we need to be stern), lil Gremlin)
These gals are polar opposites. Peggy is 75% cat, 15% grumpy old man, 5% Falkor, and 5% dog. Winnie is a tiny, three legged wild child who is either sprinting around the house like a maniac or asleep (there is no middle ground) and always trying to snuggle as close to you as humanly possible.
Peggy is a combination of Ron Swanson and April Ludgate from Parks and Rec. She is very skeptical, likes her alone time, trying to never do anything productive, but when you’re on her good side she loves you..in her own unique way.
Winnie has the enthusiasm and high energy of Leslie Knope, and the simple loving ways of Andy. She’s a lovable, messy, playful little weirdo and is always by your side to bring your spirits up.
Megan Tracy, Graphic Designer
Favorite Fur Baby: Charlie the Cat (A.K.A. Charles or Baby Cat)
Charlie is my cat that I “accidentally” brought home from college (sorry, mom) thanks to a woman that worked at the James Madison University print shop. She’s basically terrified of the world, even though she WAS a feral kitten, but at the same time loves to cuddle, play fetch, and is always meowing.
I would probably describe her as being much like Chuckie Finster from the Rugrats. She’s awkward, scared to eat alone, but always loyal and super sweet to me. She tends to fly under the radar and just follow me around on my adventures, so I guess this makes me Tommy?
Kim Vogel, Website and Digital Marketing Specialist
Favorite Fur Babies: Hadrian and Freya (A.K.A The Ravenous Chonk and Our Sweet Blind Rescue Kitty)
Hadrian has been my buddy since I moved into my partner’s home several years ago. He’s been a member of the family since he was old enough to be adopted by his kitty dad, aka my partner. Hadrian loves food – all of it. And he’s not above waking me up at 4:30 am to get it. He loves pets and he especially loves being outside, even in the rain and snow. He survived a car accident that made him the neighborhood cone kitty for several months. He’s famous now. He chases foxes too, but I’m pretty sure he just wants them to stay and play.
Hadrian is like Wimpy from Popeye. He’s a friendly guy who likes the food, is smart, but kind of a dubba and he’ll do anything to get extra food.
Our other fur baby, Freya, came to us a year ago as a rescue. She’s a sweet, gentle, quiet girl with long hair and a seizure disorder. The vet has confirmed she is blind, but you would only know it by the way she occasionally bumps into things. She does not like to be touched and grooming her has been challenging. Not because she’s difficult, but because I hate to cause her distress. In her year with us, she has made social progress by leaps and bounds. Our goal is to allow her to be her kitty self in the safest environment possible for as long as we have with her.
Freya is like Arya Stark. She’s quiet. She’s very pretty, but you probably shouldn’t touch her.
Wendy Fecteau, WordPress Specialist
Favorite Fur Babies: Charlotte Mewy Fecteau (A.K.A. Miss Charlotte, Charlie, Char Char, Charleto, Charles) and Ryker (A.K.A. Ry Ry, Ry Guy, Ry Ry Puppy Doo)
Charlie is a cat who knows what she likes…and what she doesn’t. She is very vocal with her objections and lets you know her displeasure when you have woken her from a nap or missed her dinner time. She only shows her softer side to family that lives within the household. She may approach others with a look of sweetness and allow them one pet…and one pet only…and then they must cease and desist or they will get “the claw”.
I would compare Charlie to Bernadette from The Big Bang Theory. She’s petite and pretty and is very sweet to those she loves, but if you displease her, she will let you know it.
Ryker is friend to all! His very favorite thing in the world is his ball. He has learned to hide the ball himself under a blanket, or in the snow and search it out like a great hunter. He also does quite well holding it up in the air as he lies on his back and catching it in his mouth. He is a man of many talents.
Ryker’s personality is like Woody from Cheers. He’s so sweet and kind and friendly to everyone and he’s definitely got his goofy side.
