Each week, The Inquirer takes readers into a different home in the Philadelphia area, and its residents share what makes the place special.
They may mention the neighborhood, their custom renovation, or their antiques and thrifted treasures. Sometimes it’s the backyard where they cultivate life or the kitchen where they cook for family.
As our photographers work to capture the essence of these houses, apartments, condos, and gardens, they often come across the cats and dogs who live there, too. So this week, we’re going back to some of our Philly-area havens from the past year and taking a look through the eyes of the pets who live there.
Any city dweller, animals included, will tell you natural light is a coveted commodity. Dipplin the dog, who lives with Hunter Pippin and Kedzie Teller in Fishtown, has mastered the art of finding the sunspot. But his favorite part of the apartment, of course, is its two balconies ideal for people- and dog-watching, Pippin said.
Frankie the cat is one step ahead. With a bed placed on the windowsill of the Fairmount apartment she shares with Mark Paulson and Allison Langer, she can soak in the rays any time they’re shining.
For Claire the beagle and Conrail the teacup Yorkie (aka Connie), sunny days are even better at the Shore. Behind their bungalow in Ventnor, Amy and Zachary Bell added a fence so the two pooches can romp in the backyard. They also recently added a deck with a bay view, where the two dogs enjoy watching the sunset.
Sunbathing is a favorite pastime for Cruz, a pitbull-black Lab mix who lives in East Falls with Caroline Patten. The back patio is Cruz’s favorite place to be, Patten said.
Paloma the cat, who lives with Danielle, Jonah, and Miriam Abrams in South Philadelphia, also enjoys backyard living. But she’s just as comfortable on the ivory sectional in their living room, which they chose in part for its pet-proof fabric and ability to hide cat hair.
And why not splurge on a pet-friendly piece of furniture? After all, some say the couch is the heart of the home.
These comfort-loving dogs couldn’t agree more.
For feline family members, sometimes the best place to relax is where they can hide in camouflage.
The spiral staircase in Billie’s Fitler Square Victorian almost perfectly matched her coloring. It also served as a perfect vantage point for watching over the home that Billie, who recently died at the age of 16, shared with Natalie LaBossier.
For Frogbert the cat, it would be easy to go unnoticed on the black, white, and gray patterned rug in his mid-century modern living space. It really ties the room together at his home in Clifton Heights, where he lives with Genevieve DeChellis and Jesse Blankschen, as well as Ladybug the cat and Carl the turtle.
But not all cats like to blend in.
Olive, who lives in a Bella Vista apartment with Allie Osipov and Claire Borgerding, enjoys the small luxuries of her home that, like her wardrobe, allow her to stand out from the crowd.
This city cat has a dining space outfitted with a drinking fountain, a dish elevated on a pedestal, and a mirror to make the area feel even more abundantly bright and spacious.
Pets don’t get to choose where they live — if they ever find a way, sign me up to watch that House Hunters spin-off series.
But they often spend more time at home than the people they live with. So perhaps they’re the experts on what makes it just right.
Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email (and send some digital photographs) at properties@inquirer.com.