At Fordham, pets are more than just animals—they’re family. Whether they greet us at the door, curl up next to us during Zoom calls, or keep us active with their boundless energy, our furry (and sometimes feathered or scaled) friends bring joy, comfort, and love to our lives.
We asked members of the Fordham community to tell us about their beloved pets. Meet a few of their loyal companions below—and see if you can spot the new Fordham brand in the wild!
Phoebe
After hearing faint meows along the Clearview Expressway near his home, Daniel Ott, D.M.A., associate professor of music and FCLC senior associate dean, hopped in his car, pulled onto the shoulder, and spent nearly an hour coaxing a terrified, weeks-old kitten from the bushes into his arms. With three adult cats already at home, he fostered Phoebe long enough for a student who’d been hoping to adopt, Valeria Fernandez, FCLC Class of ’26, to give her a forever home. Studying at Fordham has its perks—“You might just end up with a pet!” said Ott.
Mason
Nikki de Castro, senior assistant director of admissions and recruitment at the Gabelli School of Business, is the proud mom of this chihuahua, dachshund, and poodle mix with a big personality. A loyal sidekick, he loves being wherever she is—especially during work calls, where he proudly barks to announce himself.
Kali
Ida Bastiaens, Ph.D., professor of political science and department chair, is mom to Kali, a 12-year-old terrier mix with plenty of spunk. In her early years, Kali enjoyed sprinting around Central Park, but she now prefers leisurely suburban strolls, barking, eating salmon, and being chased.
Louie
Caroline Burgos, assistant director for reunions and affinity chapters on the alumni relations team, is mom to Louie, a nearly five-year-old lop bunny whose ideal day includes snacking on carrots, chewing holes in blankets, and watching his favorite dancing fruit videos on YouTube.
Loki
When Evon Hekkala, Ph.D., biological sciences professor and chair of the department, adopted Loki, a four-year-old mini dachshund rescue, she intended to train him as a scent detection dog for her research. But Loki found his true calling during COVID as a lovable therapy dog. When he’s not zooming around the park, he’s hanging out with his best friend, Parker, a sweet, 14-year-old shepherd mix.
Sox
Shortly after Sanford Hoang, assistant director of student financial services, and his fiancée, Vanessa, found a stray cat meowing in Vanessa’s Queens backyard, they adopted him and named him for the white “socks” on his paws. Today their big kitty spends his days patrolling the neighborhood and enjoying plenty of food.
Mosey and Sunny
Theology professors Brenna Moore, Th.D., (department chair) and John Seitz, Ph.D., share more than a Fordham connection with Nicole Davis, assistant director of internal communications. Their golden retrievers are sisters! “Mosey makes sure our house has lots of silliness and affection,” said Moore, who describes her girl as “oppressively friendly.” Sunny is more laid back, but she is just as big of a love sponge and adored by everyone in Davis’ family (except their cat Sally, who is not a fan).
Desi and Dolce
Audrey Gilbert, director of marketing strategy, captured this photo of her “babies” defying everything we think we know about cats and dogs. Her dog Desi (whose name was indeed inspired by I Love Lucy) used to instigate fights, but Dolce—a nod to Gilbert’s love of the Italian language—never took the bait. “He’s very lucky because Dolce’s a big cat.” The two have mellowed out with age, and now Gilbert often finds them sleeping on the same bed.
Giuseppe Celestiano DiForpini, aka Pino
After Alan Trevithick, Ph.D., an adjunct anthropology professor at Fordham, passed away last year, his wife Melkana Brakalova-Trevithick, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, took over the care of his six-year-old parrotlet, Pino. “That bird means a lot to me because of Alan,” said Brakalova-Trevithick, who fondly recalls taking care of Pino with her husband. “He knew a lot about birds and has taught me how to understand and appreciate them.”
Pipa
Friendly and full of personality, Pipa loves popping into the background of Zoom calls and can spend hours gazing out the window at birds, cars, and anything else that goes by, according to her mom Grace Byrne, prospect research associate in Development and University Relations. Her favorite treat? Whipped cream—she comes running the moment she hears the can!
Stelly and Wally
Rescue dogs Stelly (left) and Wally (right) are siblings by adoption, best friends by choice. They come from a proud line of Rams: their mom Giorgia Sabia (me!) is former senior communications specialist in University Marketing and Communications, and their grandparents are proud Fordham alumni. Wally is obsessed with fetch and never tires of chasing a ball, while Stelly prefers to take it easy, soaking up the sun on her deck. Together, they’re the perfect pair for hikes, playtime, and plenty of cuddles.
