It’ s commonplace to see Goldie at the studio even from outside looking in, as she enjoys sitting in the front windows during sunny days to look out at the people that walk by, but the school’ s students share a slightly more involved relationship with her.
When it comes time for class, the dancers are likely to find Goldie joining in, even if only as an observer. As Clark or another teacher instructs their students, Goldie is sitting in a chair or their lap. When it’ s time to stretch, she joins in by sprawling out on the floor. Occasionally, she’ ll make her rounds around the studio, patrolling the space during classes, and her presence around the students grows during the winter.
Clark reports that she’ s become rather popular with her students as a result, who are always more than happy to show the cat some love.
“ They love her— they miss her when she’ s not available, because she’ s usually in the windows or coming through,” Clark said.“ They’ re so funny about her; they all want to see her and know where she is.”
Goldie came into Clark’ s care through her son and his girlfriend, who adopted and named her after finding her as a feral kitten while they were living in Valdosta. Afterwards, she became more of an indoor cat, moving with them to cities like Savannah, New Orleans, and Nashville, Tennessee.
When the couple adopted a few more cats, Clark offered to take in Goldie after it became evident she didn’ t enjoy sharing the
Often referred to by Clark as“ Our Little Diva,” Goldie’ s known to be very sweet around strangers, though she can be rather particular when it comes to receiving pets and affection for longer than she wants.
“ We would let her stay in the studio when it was really cold or nasty— weather raining a lot, she doesn’ t like wind. And after two weeks of that kitten, she moved herself over to the studio!”
~ Regina Clark, owner of Regina’ s School of Dance
JULY 2025 | TiftonScene 15