As a follow-up to my recent article on buying dolls on the secondary market, I thought I’d add my two cents to pet-friendly homes and doll-collecting.

I recently rearranged my autumn display from a reimagination theme to a historical theme. I stepped out of the room for a moment, and upon returning, I was shocked to find my eight year-old cat, Lilo, “loving” one of my most treasured grails, Mademoiselle a la Mode Tyler Wentworth.

Previously, neither of our two cats have shown any interest in my doll collection. Aside from her occasional fascination with tulle, Lilo keeps away from my dolls. (I hear this is unique in pets, specifically about horror stories with intricate feathered headdresses that have seen better days.) Fortunately, Mademoiselle’s gown was easily brushed off with a cat-fur roller, and aside from a slight loss of dignity, nothing else was harmed.

Except now I feel I need to rephrase the traditional line I use in my secondary sales and auctions: “My items come from a smoke-free home; though I do have two cats, who stay away from my dolls.” This is obviously no longer true.

What on earth could have come over her? Is Lilo becoming a doll collector in her later years? Maybe she’s just becoming a true Rasmussen, like the rest of the women-girls in our house. In any case, she is welcome to join us!