Gigi the cat lives with Ben, Porsche and nine month old Vera Howard. She was originally owned by a college student in Bellingham that really wanted a cat but took it back to her parents in Seattle when she realized it wasn't working out. The Howards lived nearby and Gigi was spending a lot of time at their house so the owners said "why don't you just keep her?" That was two years ago and she is now two and a half.

Gigi's nickname is "Bugs" short for 'jitterbug' because she is so active. "We call her the catdog', "said Porsche. "She does almost everything like a dog. She greets the neighbors when they come home from work, most cats are skittish and run away. Every time we leave the house we can't help but find people that say, Oh we love your cat."

She is well known for cruising through the neighbors houses to check in.

Ben says it's fun to watch Gigi frolic with her cat friends in the "cat forest', the large shrubs between the houses. Gigi is the ring leader of the neighborhood cats.

She is also friendly with the neighborhood dogs, walking right up to them and sniffing and playing like a good dog would.

Since Vera has learned to crawl, Gigi has had to share her kitty toys. Vera will play with the cats Crinkle Balls and Gigi will wait until she is done and then grab them back as if to say, 'these are my toys'. Gigi has had to adapt but they are learning to become a family. Gigi and Vera like to watch each other. When Vera naps Gigi likes to sleep on the changing table, a good distance away but close enough to keep an eye on her. Ben says they have to be careful when preparing to take Vera for a ride because "the cat stows away in the car".

They will drive away and when checking on the baby the cat is sometimes in the back seat. On one trip they got to the gas station and she popped up, as if to say, 'Where are we going guys?'

While taking the photo Porsche put Gigi on a branch by her, where she stayed for about 2 seconds then moved to the branch by Ben. We thought she was leaving, then she turned around to the camera. Next she made a good cat dog move and leaned forward on the branch to playfully pat Ben in the head with her paw.

How to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week:

Want to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week? Stop by the VCA West Seattle Animal Hospital at 5261 California Ave. S.W. and just ask for a form. A nomination is not a guarantee of appearance and your name and photo may appear in our newspaper and online.

Photos may or may not be used and our "Pet Reporter" may be in touch with you to arrange to take a photo. Pets nominated will be chosen on the basis of uniqueness of the pet and the quality of the story and information submitted.