Kellie Phelps is no stranger to furry friends- she jumped in the Henry Lion mascot costume at Senior Signing Day last year to the roaring crowd’s delight!  This week, we’re featuring her two black cats, Monte and Filius, and her German Shepherd/Lab mix Phoebe. 

           Kellie & Phoebe                                        Monte & Filius

As the Henry Music teacher, she leads students through many musical ventures, including an intense study of music history, which culminates with a music evolution project. Students have created innovative projects like puppet shows, flipbooks, and comic strips.  

Kellie got Monte as a stray kitten when he was 10 weeks old and making his way on the mean streets of Chicago. He’s now almost 6, flirty, and thriving at a full twenty pounds! He makes turkey gobble noises when he’s wound-up and playful, and when he wants attention, he’ll flip on his side flirtatiously.  

I may be cute, but I once gave my mom a bloody nose with one of my head-butts!

Monte absolutely loves Cheetos, especially the puffy kind.

“I don’t get out of bed for less than 10,000 cheetos a day”

Kellie and her husband adopted Filius when he was kitten, because he looked just like Monte. He’s now almost 5 and still squeaks instead of meows. He is just as snuggly as he is adventurous, and likes to spend time in the shower, but hates getting his paws wet. 

Filius stealthily climbing his way into the shower

Filius doesn’t eat much human food, but is often caught with his head in a partially full water glass.

So I like to stay hydrated! Sue me!

Phoebe is the newest member of Kellie’s family, and was adopted 2 ½ years ago from the Dumb Friends League when she was 4 years old. She is sadly a former puppy mill dog from Oklahoma, and was separated from her own puppies shortly before she was adopted, suffering severe separation anxiety. Now she’s almost 7 and is doing much better, enjoying hiking with her mom and dad and destroying stuffed animals slowly and maniacally. 

“There’s a difference between like and love- I like the outdoors, but I love my own personal hiking backpack!”

Phoebe’s favorite foods are roast beef lunch meat and ice cream… here she is on her birthday enjoying a special cone.

Phoebe may be a queen, but reluctantly wears the Happy Birthday crown.

Do you have a pet everyone needs to know about? Email us at mac@scienceandtech.org