June 30, 2025

Lauren and Stevie: She Spins, She Drifts, She Conquers Corners

Lauren and her black cat Stevie prove that vision is overrated — and luck is what you make it.

We’ve all heard those stories — people who weren’t planning to adopt a pet and somehow ended up as full-time pet parents anyway. But no two stories are ever the same, and honestly, we never get tired of hearing them.

This one is about Lauren and Stevie, a sleek black cat with zero vision and maximum determination. When Lauren met Stevie, she wasn’t expecting to fall for a kitten with a built-in snuggle reflex, a habit of Tokyo drifting around corners, and very limited vision, but fate (and some very loud purring) had other plans.

Stevie has been melting hearts ever since, including her viral moment on TikTok, where she kept an eye (or at least a camera) on Lauren all day long, like a kid waiting for their parent to come home. We caught up with Lauren to hear Stevie’s adoption story, her secret talents, and why life with a black cat is the opposite of bad luck.

Can you tell us a bit about how Stevie came into your life?

I met Stevie at an adoption event at a local pet store in January 2025. I was initially inquiring about adopting a cat and they told me to come by, I was looking at an orange cat but they showed me Stevie — a blind, 5 month old kitten. She was curled up in their arms and purring so loudly, so obviously I had to see her for myself. Immediately, she was snuggling up to my neck and she even fell asleep in my arms. I knew she had to be mine! However, with her condition, she actually wasn’t up for adoption yet as she wasn’t cleared by her vet (she had an eye exam coming up a few weeks later) but fortunately I was able to foster her until then.

She stole my heart as soon as I held her and she was adopted February 17th.

We love her name! How did you decide on “Stevie.” Is there a special meaning or story behind it?

Haha! So she was formally named Toph, after a blind character in Avatar: The Last Airbender, which was so cute but I just didn’t think it was 100% for her. My boyfriend and I were throwing some name ideas around and he jokingly mentioned that we should name her after Stevie Wonder. I loved it, it suits her so well! Her government name is Stevie, but she has many nicknames including Stevie Wonderwhiskers.

That viral TikTok of her waiting for you totally melted hearts. Is she always that attached? What’s she like day-to-day?

She is pretty attached, but I think I’m more attached to her! Most days I’m at home, in which she’s playing and snuggling all day. I have another TikTok where she’s holding a toy in her mouth and I’d say that’s a good representation of what she does throughout the day. She’s very proud of it.

When I’m at work, she just sleeps all day! The TikTok is actually because I said hi to her in the morning after I left, but every time I checked in on her throughout the day, she was already watching me back. I’m not sure if she thought I was stuck in the camera or what, but she seemed very concerned!

Have you always been a cat person? Tell us a little about you.

I’m a big animal lover but cats have always had a special place in my heart. I actually had a family cat who was only 6 months older than I, she passed away in 2023 at a rocking 21 years old! She was the best cat ever, and she’s the reason I needed another kitty.

What's the best or funniest thing about life with Stevie

I think a lot of people underestimate how smart she is. With her blindness, she’s really adapted to her condition. Of course, some things I’ve had to work with her on (like tracking toys), but she always knows exactly where everything is, even her toys that she pushed underneath our couch — it amazes me when she finds it again 3 days later.

Another thing that’s so silly about her is how she spins her way around. She’ll be so excited and come running/spinning her way down the hallway. She does bump into things and tokyo drift the corners but nothing stops her, it’s so funny and cute at the same time.

And lastly, what’s one thing you wish more people knew about black cats?

The stereotype with black cats bringing bad luck, but I truly think I’m so lucky to have my little void. She brings so much happiness and entertainment to our lives that I think everyone needs a void in their life.

Also!! Black cats are usually last to be picked at the rescue. I wish people knew how great all black kitties are!

We thank Lauren for sharing her story with us. You can follow her on TikTok.

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