Anyone who has ever owned a pet understands the special bonds we make with our animal friends, and celebrities are no different. In HNGN's "Stars & Their Pets," celebrity photographer Christopher Ameruoso – the author of the "Pets And Their Celebrities" (2001) and its successful follow-up "Pets And Their Stars" (2005) -– documents the human-animal relationship through the eyes of the famous.
Next up in "Stars & Their Pets" is actress Ashley Rickards, the star of the MTV series "Awkward," and her cat Trinny and her dog Princess. In addition to playing "Awkward's" main character Jenna Hamilton, Rickards also spent a season on the CW drama "One Tree Hill" in the role of Sam Walker.
Tell us about Trinny. What is her story how did she come into your life?
Well, I sort of got her online. And she was delivered. Luckily most shelters have websites with their available animals and you can pretty much go meet the cat or dog you're interested in or, as with Trinny's adoption agency (kittenrescue.org), an in-home interview is required and the animal must meet your other pets. Trinny is a Maine Coon, and I actually wanted a special needs cat; she has three legs so she does require some extra care. Luckily I am home a lot in between work days so I've got plenty of time to cuddle!
How about your Princess?
Princess is amazing! She's so small and travel sized, so she comes to set with me every day. She's so smart too, she was already potty trained at three months, and she is a great "set dog" because she's not a barker.
How would you say that both Trinny and Princess have touched your life?
They're like my children. I pre-make their meals every week (they both have multivitamins and eat organic), buy them things for the holidays and their birthdays, have an acupuncturist come to the house for them and they get groomed every other week at least. They are spoiled! I find myself buying less at H&M for myself and more at BitchNewYork.com for both of my girls [laughs].
Who would you say has more of your personality and how?
Both of them! Though Trinny has the better parts. Princess is a little high-strung, emotional, clingy and attention-seeking. Whereas Trinny is more easygoing, detached and quiet.
How do the two of them get along?
Poor Trinny puts up with Princess just fine. But I'm not sure that Princess quite gets that Trinny is not a toy. She's constantly nibbling on her ears or jumping on her back.
Did you have any concerns when you adopted Trinny knowing she only has three legs?
Of course. I figured she would have arthritis because of the extra weight on her front leg, but she really moves around really well. She's a smart cat who really inspires me because of how little she lets her disability hinder her everyday life.
What can you say to people so they would be more open to adopting a handicapped pet?
There's a stronger bond between the person and the pet when the pet is somewhat dependent on them. And frankly, it's really rewarding to live with an animal who would commonly be ignored by most people.
What are some things they both do that make you laugh or smile?
Well, Trinny and Princess are kind of the funniest together. I won't lie, I've dressed both of them up in doggie and kitty clothes and the look Trinny gives me when a dog with clothes is jumping on her is kind of priceless.
What have you learned from having these pets in your life?
That it doesn't matter about what you look like. Trinny is a really beautiful cat but her handicap makes her different and then there's Princess who's your standard "fluffy Hollywood" dog. Both of them are perfect and whole to me.
What do they really mean to you?
Everything. I'm not only obsessed, but I feel a strong connection to them, more so than just a pet.
