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#PawBumps
Catching up with social media star BeltLine Piper at her forever home
By ClareS. Richie
Eight years ago, BeltLine Piper T. Cat
found her forever home. Her companions,
John and Danah Craft recently reflected on
their 12-year-old social media star’s journey
and lessons she taught them along the way.
“So many people loved and cared for
Piper when she was living in her pipe,”
Danah said. “It would be great to let them
know that she is very spoiled and content.
Her little face whiskers are starting to get
white and she has gotten a little hard of
hearing but is still very spry and active. We’ve
loved having her.”
In November 2012, the Crafts noticed a
black cat living in a pipe along the Eastside
BeltLine trail near North Avenue.
“At first, all you could see was the color of
her eyes back in the pipe,” John said. “Over
time, she got a little less fearful of people.”
By mid-February 2013, the Tilley family
put up a mailbox for the feral feline with
a street address (640 North Avenue) and
her name. Soon after, the Crafts noticed a
Valentine in Piper’s mailbox.
“I took a few pictures of Danah
holding the Valentine with the cat in the
background,” John said.
As they walked home John decided
“this cat needs a Twitter account.” So, @
beltlinepiper tweeted the photo and tagged
BeltLine visionary, Ryan Gravel, who
forwarded it on. Piper quickly went viral on
Twitter and Facebook, attracting local and
national media attention.
“People started leaving food and water,”
Danah said. “She became socialized because
people were stopping and talking to her,
petting her and feeding her. We would pet
her on our walks every day and she would
trot after us.”
But the BeltLine residence would be short
lived. That summer, Perennial Properties was
ready to construct the 755 North building,
so the famous kitty had to move.
“This was happening as my mother
was in the hospital for the last time,” John
said. “Danah came home and said, ‘I don’t
think I could lose your mom and Piper in
the same month.’ So, I reluctantly agreed to
adopt Piper. I thought she would hang out
in the backyard and sleep on the back porch
sometimes. And I have never been happier to
be so very wrong.”
The screened back porch helped Piper
transition to her new digs.
“It was outside. There was still fresh air.
She slept in John’s lap the first day,” Danah
said. “The first time it rained you could tell
she was like ‘this is sort of cool, it’s raining but
I’m not getting wet’.”
After a few weeks, she ventured inside
and burrowed under a guest bed in between
boxes.
That became her pipe — her safe place,”
Danah said. “I learned so much from her. She
wasn’t so scared that she wasn’t willing to take
a risk in case something new was better. She
doesn’t go in there anymore because nothing
frightens her.”
Over the years, Piper regularly checked
in with her followers. At the five-year mark,
John posted on @beltlinepiper: “Piper’s life
consists of sleeping in the sun, forcing her head
under our hands when she wants petting, getting
a little something under the table during meals,
and waking me up for belly rubs in the middle
of the night. She has trained us very well. ”
Like all of us, Piper hunkered down
during COVID-19. Her March 14, 2020
post at facebook.com/BeltLinePiper provided
encouragement. “ OK America, I’m stocked up.
Let’s do this for the vulnerable. No handshakes,
#pawbumps only. Check on your family, fiends,
and those who need you. #socialdistancing. ”
Piper also made Zoom appearances as
Danah, Executive Director of the Food
Bank Association, worked to support the
food banks responding to food insecurity
exacerbated by the pandemic.
“We think people who need emergency
food assistance because of the pandemic are
going to need it for about 18 more months,”
Danah said. “That’s what we saw coming
out of the recession. A lot of the families that
normally need our help are in greater need
and we are still seeing people who are coming
to the network for the first time, who don’t
qualify for food stamps but lost their jobs.”
Danah is grateful for the ongoing support
from state and federal partners, philanthropy
and the community.
“The thing about Piper’s story is that she
inspired a community on the BeltLine that
came together to take care of her,” Danah
said. “To me that’s the tie in to food banking.
It is about local communities taking surplus
food and helping their neighbors who are in
need.” 03
Doggy Con returns to Woodruff Park
One week before Dragon Con
makes its triumphant return to
Downtown, Woodruff Park will host
an opportunity for metro-Atlantans
and their four-legged friends to get in
on the cosplay fun.
Doggy Con 2021 will feature a
pet costume pageant emceed by local
media maven Mara Davis and judged
by Atlanta City Councilmember
Amir Farokhi, local artist Catlanta
aka Rory Hawkins, and dog
Instagram influencer Super Murph
the French Bulldog.
The event will also feature a
vendor village of dog-centric goods,
activities, and plenty of pup culture.
Doggy Con will take place on
Woodruff Park’s Main Lawn at 91
Peachtree St NW on Saturday, Aug.
28 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Atlantans are invited to pay homage to one of the world’s largest pop culture conventions while competing for drool-worthy
prizes. Contestants can compete for recognition in six categories: Best in Show; Best Doggy/Human Dynamic Duo; Best Character
Cosplay; Biggest “Aww” Factor; Best Small But Mighty Pup; and Best Big Buddy. Prizes include a 5-day membership to Dragon
Con and gift baskets from Whole Dog Market.
Registration is required to participate in the Doggy Con pageant, and all proceeds will directly support the construction of a
future WoodRUFF Park dog park. Register at atlantadowntown.com/woodruff-park for $20 by Aug. 26 or register onsite at the
event for $25. For those who wish to attend as a spectator, admission is free. 03
14 AUGUST 2021 | Q3
AtlantalntownPaper.com