Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Introducing the Wednesday Cats of Catster: Ivy, Milly & Raphael

Catster_Wednesday Cats_v1-2_Oct 9 2024 (1)

Hey there, Catsters! Today, we’re introducing the new Wednesday Cats of Catster, a rotating series featuring three amazing cat-and-owner pairs. Scroll down to read more about Crystal & Ivy, Isabel & Milly, and Wes & Raphael. And stay tuned next Wednesday for more of their fun adventures!

divider cats oct 2024

Crystal & Ivy

Hi Catsters, I’m Crystal. I work in the marketing department for Catster. You may have seen some of my posts on our social media and listened to some of my tales on our YouTube channel.

I’ve always considered myself to be a dog person. However, there is no longer any doubt that I am, in fact, a cat person!

Adopting my first cat opened my eyes in so many ways and taught me the true meaning of having a soul connection with an animal.

Crystal and Ivy cuddling

I can‘t imagine my life without my kitty, Ivy, and her daily antics. It’s been a rough ride, but a beautiful one, and she has enriched my life in so many ways.

As every cat parent knows, cat ownership doesn’t come without its own set of unique hurdles and challenges…

I’ll be sharing some more of my life with Ivy – the good, the bad, and the ugly – on Catster.com in the weeks to come!

divider cat faces oct 2024

Isabel & Milly the Tabby Cat

Milly helping me study for finals
Milly helping me study for finals

Hey Catsters, Isabel here, you might recognize me from the Catster YouTube channel! I’m the marketing director here at Catster.com and I look forward to writing some fun and interesting cat-human interest stories every month!

I will be sharing some of my experiences as a lifelong cat lover and owner and what it’s like to be the cat mom of a sassy little tabby cat called Milly, who you also may have seen on the YouTube channel. Milly is the apple of my eye, the source of my happiness, and even though she can make me very mad sometimes, I love her with all my heart.

She’s a 6-year-old white/tabby cat that I rescued as a 4-week-old, unwanted kitten in a very small town where I studied. She was born in a bar of all places! We became best friends the moment we met, even though it took a while for her to trust me because she was feral, she knew I was there to save her.

Baby Milly doing yoga with me
Baby Milly doing yoga with me

Since then, we’ve had some wild adventures together. We moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town, she flew in a plane, lived on a golf course, became a YouTube star, and even got her own designer jacket (which she refuses to wear). I look forward to sharing our beautiful little life with all you Catsters!

You can read more about how I met and rescued Milly in my full introduction post coming soon!

divider cat faces 2 oct 2024

Wes & Raphael the Russian Blue

Wes and Raphael wearing his Hepper harness

What do you call a cat-obsessive who spends all day working on solutions for cats of the world, and all evening cuddling with a cat of his own? Well, a Catster of course!

Howdy reader, my name’s Wes. By day, I’m Director of Hepper (Catster’s sister ecommerce brand). By night (and sometimes by lunch), I am the loving protector of a fierce monster called Raphael the Russian Blue. Ok, fair enough…he’s really MY protector, and truly, the only monster he’d count as is one of the ‘cuddle’ variety.

At this early stage, there are two things you need to know about Raphael. First, he is without a doubt, the hungriest cat you’ve ever encountered. There are rumours (as yet unconfirmed) that he entered an eating contest in the summer of ‘23, and bankrupted the company that put it on. When asked for comment on the scandal, he was reported to have responded “meow”.

Raphael the Russian Blue in a cat backpack

The second thing to know about Raphael is that the only thing he loves as much as a hearty meal is a fulsome cuddle. Raphael will get on board the snuggle train when we’re on the sofa, in bed, working at the desk. In fact, dear reader, I hope it won’t concern you too much to know that toilet time is often intercepted with a cuddle break if the door is left open. All cats have different personalities, of course, but it doesn’t stop me from telling myself during every cuddle that it means I can’t be doing THAT badly at looking after him.

I always think the most interesting part of pet ownership is that it is both intensely communal and utterly individual. We all have exactly the same experiences and totally different ones. If you’d like to share your journey with Raphael and me, to laugh at his shenanigans, and smile at how he reminds you of your own loved ones, read and comment along. We’ll be waiting for you!

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Turkish Van Cat Health Problems: 8 Vet-Reviewed Issues

The Turkish Van cat breed is relatively healthy. These beautiful yet rare cats are still susceptible to many of the same health issues...

Can Cats Drink Oat Milk? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Safety Guide

While we try to lead more active lives and make smarter food choices, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the same considerations don’t...

Can Cats Have ADHD? Our Vet Explains Feline Behavior

If you have a cat, you know that they can go from zero to 100 in no time. This may make you wonder...

Outdoor Plants That Are Toxic to Cats: 10 to Avoid (Vet-Reviewed)

Cats are curious creatures and will often show interest in plants, grasses, trees, and dangling leaves. However, it’s important to be informed on...

More related

Turkish Angora Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

Nicknamed the “Border Collie of the cat world,” the Turkish Angora is not a breed that’s easy to forget once you’ve met one....

Maine Coon Kittens for Sale in Colorado: Breeders List 2025

Catster advocates for adopting before shopping, though we fully understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder. So, we encourage it to...

Sphynx Cat Health Problems: 6 Vet-Reviewed Issues

Sphynx cats first came about in the 1960s as a result of a genetic mutation. Ever since cat owners have been in love...

Egyptian Mau vs. Tabby Cat: The Differences (With Pictures)

When choosing a new cat for your home, tabby cats and Egyptian Mau cats make wonderful choices since both are friendly, intelligent, and...

Keep reading

Can Cats Eat Twizzlers? Health Risks & Precautions

Twizzlers, the colorful little candies that come in various shapes and flavors, are often enjoyed by humans. However, many cat owners wonder whether their feline friends can enjoy them too. Are cats supposed to eat Twizzlers? Are they healthy for...

Catster_Can Cats Eat Twizzlers_v1_Dec 4 2024

How to Give Cats Catnip: 4 Vet-Approved Ways & FAQ

Many cats love catnip and their reactions are usually quite entertaining. If you’re new to giving catnip to your cat, though, you may be wondering how to do it. We outlined a few ways that you can give catnip to...

cat playing with catnip toy

Does Health Monitoring Cat Litter Work? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Approximately 46.5 million households in the United States own a cat, and if you’re part of this statistic, chances are you’ve stumbled across an advert for health-monitoring cat litter. The product changes color in response to the presence of specific...

Domestic ginger cat looking at litter box

How to Tell If a Cat Is Allergic to Food: Vet-Approved Diagnosis Methods & Treatments

If you’re a cat owner, you probably know how important it is to provide them with a balanced and healthy diet. However, what happens when your feline companion starts experiencing unexplained signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or itchy skin? These could...

Cat scratching his ear while laying on a bed

Why Does My Cat Try to Bury Her Food? 3 Vet-Reviewed Reasons for This Behavior

Domestic cats sometimes act a little strange. Whether having a five-minute case of the zoomies or refusing to come out and meet your friend who popped by to say hi, it can be hard to predict what our cats will...

cat caching

How Do Cats Learn Their Names? Interesting Facts & Info (Vet-Verified)

It’s always fun naming your new cat or kitten. Names can be adorable, hilarious, commanding, and fitting (although not always). But cats march to the beat of a different drummer. When you call your cat, they seemingly don’t always listen,...

kitten training

Is Pine-Sol Safe for Cats? Vet-Reviewed Health Facts

Most cat owners are aware of the harmful effects that pine oil can have on cats and avoid using products that contain it. Pine-Sol is a popular multi-surface cleaner, and while it still does have “pine” in its name, most...

Catster_Is Pine-Sol Safe for Cats

9 Best Cat Combs of 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

Your furry friend deserves to look and feel their best. Cats are generally great at self-grooming, and they spend a large part of their day keeping clean. Short-haired and long-haired cats will both benefit from regular combing, glove use, or...

brushing cat fur