Virginia’s Top Cat
By Denise Scott
With blue eyes and lilac-colored skin soft as peach fuzz, a hairless Peterbald cat from Ashburn with the fancy name Grencia Mars Park worked not one miracle, but two – she healed her human’s broken heart and then won the hearts of animal lovers far and wide.
Six years ago, Lisa Park of The Grant at Willowsford was gifted “Gren” – her feline child – by her human child, Mason. This was right after the sudden death of Park’s cat, Toby, who had served as her emotional support animal for many years. Left bereft, Park nevertheless found room in her heart for a new cat.
“[Gren] is my emotional support companion whose motorboat purrs release a calming presence that soothes my soul, improves my mood and eases my pain,” said Park, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and several medical issues. “Her most important job in the house is being there for me, and it’s absolutely magical.”
The high opinion of Gren doesn’t start and stop with Park. She entered her feline friend in the recent inaugural Pet Lovers Choice Awards, a nationwide online contest – and Gren apparently proved exceedingly likable. She garnered thousands of votes and won “Best in State” for Virginia.
“It is an extreme honor for Gren to win Best in State, as most competitors were canines and the competition – as a whole – was fierce,” Park said. “Not to mention the stereotype behind a hairless cat being known as a mad, wrinkly looking alien.”
The inaugural pet awards drew more than 56,000 entries and more than 20 million votes for state winners. Park said Gren has supporters from across the country as well as the UK and Canada.
The contest celebrates extraordinary pets and raises funds and awareness for the Best Friends Animal Society, an organization aimed at saving the lives of dogs and cats that wind up in animal shelters. More than $300,000 raised from the contest will directly support 117 shelters nationwide, including Daisy’s Legacy in Arlington.
The Peterbald breed is friendly, loyal, social, affectionate, curious and fun, according to The International Cat Association. You couldn’t write a better description for Gren, who loves to kayak in the summer, go snow tubing in the winter and, of course, wear her fabulous custom-made outfits while riding in a stroller.
“I try to always challenge her with various enrichment activities such as treat puzzles, various agility courses, hide and seek, fetch and taking her out to locations that are pet-friendly, either on a leash or stroller,” said Park, noting Gren is well trained and comfortable on her adventures.
At home, she enjoys an indoor playground and an outdoor “catio” (cat patio) for safe bird watching.
“Commands she knows are ‘high five,’ ‘sit,’ ‘no,’ ‘get down,’ and ‘stay.’ Although ‘no’ doesn’t always work when she jumps on the counter,” Park said.
As a result of winning, Park and Gren receive a trophy and a $3,500 cash prize, which they plan to put to good use.
They are going to divvy up the funds, giving some to Kiki’s Kitty Kloset in Falls Church, a pop-up shop that helps families in need with pet supplies. They will make donations to various rescue organizations around the country.
“Helping shelter animals was the main reason we entered this competition,” she said. “We also plan to order some of Gren’s favorite treats and maybe the new dinosaur cat tree we have been eyeing on social media if any funds remain.”
To keep up with Gren’s adventures, follow her account on Instagram at @grenthepeterbald.