Students and their families look forward to graduation. Francesca Bourdier felt that spending the important day with her tabby cat, Suki, added to its enjoyment.
Bourdier intended to recognize Suki’s participation in all of her mother’s online lessons over the course of the previous two years. She created a miniature, Suki-sized cap and gown before the ceremony that was identical to her own.
“It was just me and her,” Bourdier told The Dodo, “so when graduation came, I knew I had to celebrate her, too.”
Due to the epidemic, Bourdier took the majority of her lessons online, yet she was never alone herself. Suki would sit down next to her mother in front of the computer as soon as she started her class on Zoom.
According to Bourdier, “She would just come onto my desk and lay next to it as if she were listening.” And she would simply perch on top of my iPad if I was using it to take notes.
After seeing Suki’s photo online, Bourdier decided to adopt her from a nearby shelter in September of 2020. In an effort to find her, Bourdier claimed to have driven to three separate sites. There was a lengthy queue of individuals waiting to adopt Suki when she at last found the appropriate shelter.
By the end of the day, Bourdier was the one who had the cute kitty since her tenacity had paid off. Wow, I get to be her parent, I simply thought when I finally got her, she said.
Since joining the family, Suki has always loved learning new things — mastering tricks such as high-fiving, spinning and giving her paw on cue.
It seemed only natural when the studious cat started attending every single one of Bourdier’s Zoom lectures.
Having Suki by her side during class provided Bourdier with the emotional support she needed to complete her degree online.
And, when one of her professors asked the class to show their pets, Bourdier learned that she wasn’t alone. “It was cool to see that almost every student had their pet next to them,” Bourdier said.
Bourdier’s college experience was made even more enjoyable by graduating alongside Suki, but it is only one of many goals the two intend to achieve together. “[Suki] is simply that wonderful,” said Bourdier.
