Meet Lorna Wilkey

1. How did you get involved with Magnificent Mutts & Meows and what type of volunteer work do you do?

I always volunteered with my daughter’s schools from elementary through high school. When she left for college, I realized I needed to find another activity with my new found availability. I decided I still wanted to volunteer, so I visited various types of volunteer organizations and chose Mag Mutts and Meows. I started with attending events, handling dogs, then added in fostering and most recently, started helping with application processing. I also volunteered weekly with cat chores at one of the west side locations until my Mom became ill and I spent months in Tennessee caring for her.

2. Are you a cat or dog person? Can you be both?

Always been both, however, my husband is deathly allergic to cats, so sadly, we are only dog owners these days. He is also allergic to short coat dogs where dander sits on top (like Labs) – so have to be careful on which dogs I can foster.

3. Do you have a favorite breed?

We have 2 Goldendoodles due to husband’s allergies and recently adopted “Miranda” the little fluff ball from the country artist litter we fostered. So, my favorite breed is one that doesn’t kill him – he’s too good of a guy to lose!

4. Why would you recommend adoption?

I wish everyone could see the faces of a family that adopts: the smiles, sometimes tears, and the eyes of the pets that are soaking all that in – that’s all you need to see to recommend adoption!

5. Tell us about hobbies you do outside of rescue.

Had horses growing up and then in my adult life purchased my own again. My daughter started riding at the age of 4, got her own first horse at 5 and now competes on the Iowa State Rodeo Team. When at home, am an avid all-things-fiber-related crafter: knit, crochet, spin, weave, needlepoint, sew, etc.  I’m also a technical editor for Interweave Press for knitting and crocheting designers.

6. What is your guilty pleasure food?

Not really anything. If I want something, I eat it (in moderation). One of my favorite foods that I order when out (too smelly to cook at home) is liver and onions.

7. What is your favorite song, type of music or band?

Country Music – my first concert was the Charlie Daniels Band. Still like their music today.

8. What is your most embarrassing moment?

Not a moment, but personality trait – I cannot sell something­ or ask someone to buy something to save my life. Growing up belonging to various groups that had to ‘sell’ fundraisers – my parents would always end up purchasing what we had to sell, as I could not go knock on doors and ask people to buy something. I am still that way today.

9. Do you have a favorite vacation spot or vacation memory?

Maui. We’ve been twice – was there on 9/11 and our stay was extended due to the air travel halt.

10. What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?

I like comedies. Life has enough emotional moments that when I watch a movie, I just want to laugh.

11. What TV show or series do you binge watch?

Changes with time. But, my husband loves the “Real Housewives of OC and BH” and “Below Deck” so I guess you could say reality shows. (as long as there is no hockey to watch).

12. Real or fictional, alive or dead, who would you most want to have lunch with and why?

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache from Louise Penny’s Gamache book series because of the sense of calm I walked away with after reading the first book, and still experience that every single time I read one in the series. I wish I had access to a ‘real’ person that had that affect in my life. (Highly recommend the series!!).

13. Feel free to tell us something about yourself you would like others to know. Things like Cubs vs. Sox? Deep dish or thin? Pet peeve.

My husband and I are die hard Blackhawk fans – our first date was a Blackhawk’s game!