Thunderstorm

My story

Meet Thunderstorm: Have you ever found yourself wishing you could have the aloof elegance of a cat… but in a dog-sized package? Dogs are wonderful, sure, but they’re also stage-five clingers who think your sandwich is actually their sandwich and who stare at you with those “are we jogging yet??” eyes while you’re just trying to exist. Cats, on the other hand, bring that mysterious independence we all envy, but they’re usually too small to double as a bodyguard. And unless you’ve been considering an exotic tiger adoption (along with a full-coverage health insurance plan), your options have been pretty limited. Until now. Enter Thunderstorm, the 5 month old, 36lb female Great Pyre-lioness—your once-in-a-lifetime unicorn, the cat cleverly disguised in a dog suit. She’s the answer for those who want a companion with presence but not neediness, protection without clinginess, and charm without the “please throw the ball one more time or I’ll perish” routine. Thunderstorm floats through life like a feline philosopher trapped in a canine body. She’ll happily accept food, the occasional toy, and some chin scratches—but only on her terms. She doesn’t want to be worshipping at your feet; she firmly believes you should be worshipping her. She won’t trail you around like a Velcro toddler with separation issues, nor will she try to convert you into a marathon runner just because she likes zoomies. She’s content to coexist, keeping her regal distance while still letting you bask in her quiet, protective presence. Think less “golden retriever emotional support barnacle” and more “majestic house panther who just happens to weigh enough to scare away bad decisions.” Stormy firmly believes that a queen must maintain her reputation, and part of that involves surrounding herself with a court. She absolutely adores playing with other dogs and would probably thrive with a canine sidekick to co-rule the household. After all, even monarchs need advisors—preferably ones who can teach her the advanced techniques of convincing humans that their sole purpose in life is to fetch treats and provide toys on tap. Together, they can form a royal alliance, bending the household to their collective will while still looking ridiculously cute. As for cats? Please. Stormy pays them no mind, but deep down you can practically hear her thinking, “Sweetie, I am more cat than you’ll ever be. You nap in a sunbeam—I embody the sunbeam.” The cats may have claws, but Stormy has sarcasm, dignity, and the ability to ignore you with a level of commitment they can only dream of. Children, however, are another matter. If you’re hoping for a four-legged babysitter who delights in squeaky chaos, Stormy is not your girl. Much like your average cat, she has zero interest in being lugged around like a ragdoll or treated like a human pillow with a tail. Screeching? Pass. Grabby hands? Hard pass. Her solution is simple and elegant: retreat to a private chamber until the little tornadoes leave, then reemerge when peace has been restored, as if nothing ever happened. And people? Stormy doesn’t feel the need to campaign for your vote. She’s not out here running for “America’s Next Top Dog Model.” If you like her, great—if not, she has toys to conquer and dogs to boss around. She’s perfectly happy living her best life, being her goofy, dorky, low-maintenance self without demanding constant attention. That said, she knows she’s adorable—just look at her—and while she won’t fling herself at you like a fan at a Taylor Swift concert, she does expect you to acknowledge her greatness. Impress her, and you may be rewarded with the sacred honor of a chin scratch before she flounces back to her busy schedule of being fabulous. Stormy may clock in at a solid 7/10 on the energy scale, but don’t mistake that for her expecting you to be her personal entertainment director. This queen runs her own show. Hand her a pile of toys, a big yard to practice her zoomies, and maybe a canine co-star to co-rule the kingdom, and she’s good to go. Your job? Basically just admiring the performance from the sidelines. And unlike those Instagram-famous cats in harnesses living their best #adventurelife, Stormy is not signing up for your daily mile walks or weekend hiking trips. She’s more of a stay-at-home queen who thrives on her routine. Sure, you might be able to talk her into a short stroll or two—especially if you’ve got a pocket full of bribery-level snacks—but deep down, she’s a homebody. Remember that one time you tried to take a cat on a road trip and spent the entire time listening to an opera of angry meows? That’s Stormy… except she ditches the vocals and goes straight for the breakfast encore in your car. Her favorite hobbies are exactly what you’d expect from a cat-dog hybrid: tossing toys around like they wronged her, chasing down rogue backyard bugs with laser focus, gnawing happily on a bone, and then following it all up with a regal nap. Apartment life? She could handle it, but don’t expect her to be thrilled about the whole leash thing. Much like a cat who goes limp noodle when you try to walk them, Stormy might make you look like the world’s worst puppeteer. Still, unlike your average feline diva, she might be persuaded with some top-tier treats. Stormy is independence wrapped in fluff, playfulness balanced with poise, and just enough sass to keep you humble. She’s not here to be your shadow—she’s here to be your queen. Stormy may be rocking a dog suit, but her life skills are firmly planted in the feline camp. Potty training? She’s working on it with the same determination as a cat who insists the litter box must be freshly scooped every single time before they’ll grace it with their presence, except you simply just have to make sure you open the door in time ;). She does well in the kennel too—think of it as her personal cat tree condo, where she can retreat for beauty sleep and plot her next move. Chewing? Not her thing. Unlike your average puppy who views baseboards as a buffet, Stormy treats household items with the same disinterest as a cat glancing at an expensive scratching post while sharpening their claws on your couch. She’s simply above that kind of nonsense. And while she isn’t one to fill the house with constant chatter, Stormy does have her moments. Like a dignified cat who only breaks their silence to yowl at an empty food bowl at 3 a.m., she’ll occasionally lend her voice to the chorus if the other dogs are barking—usually when something suspicious dares disturb her kingdom. But make no mistake, she won’t waste her breath on frivolous commentary. If she’s barking, she’s basically saying, “Peasants, something stirs beyond the castle walls. Address it immediately.” Stormy is basically the cat you always wanted but in a bigger, fluffier, dog-shaped package. If you’re tired of clingy dogs who act like your absence for five minutes is the equivalent of being abandoned on a deserted island, Stormy is your antidote. She’s got the independence of a cat, the presence of a guardian, and the charm of a goofball who will happily make you laugh while still expecting you to acknowledge her queenly status. In short: she’s the kind of dog that makes you say, “Wow, I really lucked out.” So, if you’re ready to bow down to Stormy’s reign and add a cat-in-a-dog-suit to your household, it’s time to stop lurking and start applying. And no, commenting “I want” isn’t going to cut it—we’re not running a Facebook garage sale here. Fill out an adoption application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app, let us send it to her foster family for approval, and then you can come pick her up in Yukon, OK. Stormy is ready to rule her forever home—she’s just waiting for her loyal subjects to show up. 👑

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Thunderstorm, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.