For Isle of Hope resident Monica Burgstiner, life with Kitty and Oliver comes with two distinct personalities — and two very different definitions of a perfect day.

The Burgstiner family has called Isle of Hope home since August 2021, but Kitty’s story with Monica began long before the move. Now 14, the tabby came into Monica’s life when she was 21. Monica found her as a kitten on a farm in Statesboro, where one detail immediately set her apart: She preferred sleeping alongside the dogs. Monica knew she had found her cat.

Finding a name proved less instinctive. Monica waited for the perfect one to come to her, but eventually, “Kitty” simply stuck.

Oliver, a 12-year-old tabby, joined the family as a birthday surprise from Monica’s husband, Lance, during their first year of marriage. Adopted from the Hilton Head Humane Association, he was named for the feline star of Disney’s “Oliver & Company.”

The similarities between the two largely end there. Oliver seems convinced he is a dog, seeking out laps, belly rubs and constant companionship. He also has an independent streak outdoors, frequently venturing next door to visit Donna and David, drink from their fountain and spend time with the kids. Given free rein, Monica suspects he would happily explore the bluff all day and investigate its waterfront inhabitants up close.

Kitty, meanwhile, is a big girl with plenty of affection to share and a particular fondness for people. Her ideal adventure? A trip to the couch.

Both are happy to appear in the kitchen when chicken or meat might be shared, but Kitty holds an especially storied place in Monica’s life. Through moves, marriage, and a growing family, she has been a constant companion. Among those years of memories, one remains unforgettable: watching Kitty become a mother herself to five kittens.