It was about twelve years ago. My ex-boyfriend and I decided we wanted a cat, so we went to the SPCA with no idea what we’d find.

What we walked into was sensory overload. Dogs barking everywhere. People running around. A whole room of cats stacked in cages — some playing, some scared, some asleep.

I still remember seeing Frosty for the first time. She was a tiny kitten, just sitting calmly, watching all of it. Taking it in. I’ll never forget what my ex said when he was looking at her — he said he saw adventure in her eyes. That’s stayed with me, and it turned out to be exactly right. Everything is an adventure to Frosty. Life is a big adventure to Frosty. She is passionate. She is loving. And she has been through a lot.

What we didn’t know at first was that another family was already looking at her. The moment we figured that out, we literally ran up to the counter and said, “We want her, we want her, we want her” — fast enough to get there first.

A funny detail: Frosty was free. The SPCA was running a promotion that day, and the first five kittens adopted were free of charge. One of the best things that has ever come into my life came at no cost at all, with an unlimited supply of unconditional love in return.

But Frosty had had it rough before she was mine.

He said he saw adventure in her eyes. That’s stayed with me, and it turned out to be exactly right.

Wilmington, in winter

Painterly winter night scene of Frosty as a young white-and-gray kitten walking alone through fresh snow on a Wilmington Delaware sidewalk past warmly lit Victorian houses

She came from Wilmington, Delaware. It was winter. She was a tiny kitten — the size of a hand — wandering the neighborhood alone. I don’t know how she lost her mother. I don’t know about her brothers and sisters, if there were any. I wonder about that often. I wonder what her mother would have been like.

She had nothing to eat. It was freezing. She had no business surviving.

There was an elderly woman on that street who watched what happened. For a couple of days in a row — cold, brutal days — she’d seen Frosty climb onto a neighbor’s back porch, slip under the deck, and press herself against the back door, trying to get just a little warmth.

And then she watched her neighbor come out with a broom and beat that tiny kitten off the porch.

I don’t know what kind of person does something like that. I don’t want to.

Painterly nighttime scene of young Frosty curled tight against the bottom of a wooden back door pressing herself against the warmth

But that’s what happened, and the woman who saw it couldn’t take it anymore — she scooped Frosty up and brought her to the SPCA. The same day we walked in.

Frosty’s odds at that moment were long. She was a couple of months old, headed into a system where cats are never in short supply, and where the homes that take them in aren’t always the kind of homes a cat deserves. People adopt cats because they’re cute. That isn’t the same thing as being willing to sacrifice for them, to give them a real life, to treat them as if they matter — because a lot of people don’t think animals matter at all. They think only humans do.

I’m not one of those people.

I think Frosty and I were extremely lucky to find each other that day. She needed me. As it turned out, I needed her, too.

The little room

SPCA shelter interior with Frosty seated alert at the front of a stainless steel cage on a folded blanket

I remember being in the little SPCA visiting room when they brought her in and set her down on the floor. Tiny. Uncoordinated. I remember her walking pensively across the room and finally jumping up on my lap and rubbing her head against my wrist.

Warm sunlit interior — Jackson Phillips in a dark t-shirt and beige shorts sitting on a wooden bench with Frosty as a small kitten on his lap

Jackson sitting on a wooden bench in a quiet, sunlit room, looking down at Frosty curled on his lap

Neither of us knew at that moment how many hundreds — thousands — of hours we’d spend together over the next twelve years and counting. I had no idea what she would come to mean to me. She had no idea what she would come to mean to me, either.

One of the best things that has ever come into my life came at no cost at all, with an unlimited supply of unconditional love in return.

Twelve years

The past twelve years have not been easy. We’ve gotten through them together, and I would not have made it through without her.

Through some of my hardest times, Frosty and my other cat — Kittles, whom I recently lost — were there for me when no one else was. When I wasn’t putting enough out into the world for anyone to be there for me, they were there. Frosty was there.

She had a short, rough life before I brought her home. Since then she has been treated like the princess she is. Every possible luxury a cat could want — including many, many binges on Fancy Feast. She’s a big fan.

Sunlit South Beach Miami windowsill — Frosty as an adult cat lying calmly on cream-colored marble with palm trees and pastel Art Deco hotel buildings visible through the window

Frosty stretched out on a sunny windowsill in South Beach, palm trees and Art Deco pastel buildings visible through the window, the ocean in the distance

In her twelve years, Frosty has lived in nine different apartments across eight different cities. She has made her way from Wilmington all the way down to Miami Beach, where she spent a few years on South Beach. She’s a Florida girl now. But Delaware is still her birthplace, and I think about that sometimes when I look at her sleeping in the sun.

A part of us died when Kittles passed away a few months ago. We’ve been there for each other through that, too.

We have done everything together. I am nothing without her. She has earned it.

What I mean when I say I love her

Intimate warm-lit bedroom scene at night — Jackson Phillips lying on a pillow with Frosty curled directly against his face in a nose-to-nose sleep position

Jackson and Frosty sleeping nose to nose on a pillow, warm low light, Frosty’s eyes half-open and content

I love Frosty. Not in the way people throw the word “love” around now — not the way people say they love a coffee shop or a sweater. I deeply love Frosty.

Every single day I have with her is a blessing, and I don’t take a single one of them for granted, because I have been reminded recently that those days are not unlimited.

She is a little shy with strangers. After what she’s been through, she can have a bite reflex — she doesn’t mean to, and as soon as it happens she feels terrible about it and comes back over to make it right. None of that has ever bothered me about her.

Every night when I go to sleep, I go to sleep nose to nose with her.

Of the ten strongest and most meaningful connections I will ever have in this life, she is unquestionably on the list, and nothing is ever going to take her off it.

Why she is the mascot

It is fitting that she is the official mascot of The Tennis Tactician.

We have done everything together. I am nothing without her. She has earned it.

She is a survivor.

A lot of people don’t know whether my company will survive. A lot of people doubt me, and they have every right to. But I cannot think of a better or more deserving mascot for this business than my cat Frosty.

That’s why you’ll be seeing a lot of her on this site. Because I love her, and I want the world to know how special and amazing she is.

Frosty's Press Conferences

44 videos

"That's Where They Filmed The Moon Landing" -- Frosty Gets ONE Question And Blows It | Area 51

Frosty gets one question and reveals Area 51 is where they filmed the moon landing.
Frosty Picked Austria Because Of Her "Deep Connection To Kangaroos" | Around The World Series

Frosty picked Austria for the kangaroos — two continents off, confidence fully intact.
Frosty Moves Bahrain To The Caribbean On Live TV | Around The World Series

Frosty moves Bahrain to the Caribbean on live TV, roughly eight thousand miles off.
Frosty Picks The Mountains Because "The Higher You Go, The Warmer It Gets" | Beach vs Mountains

Frosty picks the mountains because the higher you go, the warmer it gets.
Frosty Thinks Charlotte Was The Pig And That The Spider Invented The Internet | Charlotte's Web

Charlotte the pig and the spider who invented the internet — Frosty explains the classic.
Frosty Says The Founding Fathers Signed The Constitution On The 4th Of July | Circa 1788 Clinic

Three separate facts, all wrong, welded into one sentence about the Constitution.
Frosty Thinks The Bay Of Pigs Was "A Very Peaceful Farm" | Cuba Clinic

The Bay of Pigs was a very peaceful farm, Frosty assures the press.
Frosty Thinks "Crash Into Me" Is About Defensive Driving | Dave Matthews Band Clinic

Frosty praises Crash Into Me as a brave anthem about defensive driving.
Frosty Puts Horns On Every Viking Who Ever Lived | Denmark Clinic

Bighorn helmets, just like every Viking always wore — every archaeologist just stood up.
Frosty Spoils Game Of Thrones By Calling The Dragons DINOSAURS | Season 4 Clinic

Frosty spoils Season 4: the blonde queen finally gets her dinosaurs.
Frosty Says Reagan Told HITLER To "Tear Down This Wall" ? | Germany Clinic Press Conference

Frosty has Reagan telling Hitler to tear down this wall — forty years apart.
"The First Movie Ever Filmed In Color" — Frosty Ruins Film History ? | Gone with the Wind Clinic

The first movie ever filmed in color, Frosty declares — wrong by four decades.
Frosty Thinks The Hardy Boys Grew Up To Be PRO WRESTLERS ? | Hardy Boys Clinic Press Conference

Frosty is certain the Hardy Boys grew up to be professional wrestlers.
Frosty Credits Bob Marley With "Don't Worry, Be Happy" ?? | Jamaica Clinic Press Conference

Wrong Bob, wrong song, full confidence — Frosty credits Marley with Don't Worry, Be Happy.
Frosty Thinks "Jaws" Is The Shark's NAME ? | Jaws Clinic Press Conference

Jaws: a great movie and Frosty's absolute favorite name for a shark.
Frosty Says Kelly Clarkson INVENTED "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger" ?

Frosty credits Kelly Clarkson with inventing what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Frosty Insists David Beckham STILL Plays For Man United ⚽ | Manchester Clinic Press Conference

Frosty insists David Beckham still plays for Manchester United and always will.
Frosty Goes To Melbourne Every January For… WIMBLEDON?! ? | Melbourne Clinic Press Conference

Frosty goes to Melbourne every January for Wimbledon — ten thousand miles off.
Frosty Believes The Whole Planet Hits Midnight At The SAME TIME ? | New Years Day Clinic

Frosty cancelled time zones at a podium. Sydney would like a word.
Frosty Says Squid Game Is A NORTH KOREAN DOCUMENTARY About A Tennis Ladder ?

Frosty thinks Squid Game is a documentary about a tennis ladder. She has never kidded.
Frosty Thinks Netflix Filmed MARTHA STEWART'S Actual Prison Sentence ? | Orange Is the New Black

Frosty thinks Netflix filmed Martha Stewart's actual prison sentence. Somebody warn her lawyers.
Frosty Explains Why Phoenix Is Named After A REAL Bird That Catches Fire When It Gets Tired ??

A real bird that catches fire when it gets tired. Frosty is certain it exists.
Frosty Thinks Romeo Spends The Balcony Scene Looking For Juliet... Who Is On The Balcony ??

Four hundred years of literature, and Frosty thinks Romeo just couldn't look up.
Frosty Tells San Diego The Chargers Will NEVER Leave... To A Room Full Of San Diegans ??

Frosty told San Diego the Chargers will never leave. To a room full of San Diegans.
Frosty Says FDR Invented The Teddy Bear During WWII And The Press Room Dies | The 1940s Clinic

Wrong Roosevelt, wrong war, wrong decade of teddy bears. The 1940s clinic is still real.
Frosty Confirms Leonardo DiCaprio Was A REAL Passenger On The Actual Titanic ??

Frosty confirms Leonardo DiCaprio personally sailed on the actual Titanic. In 1912.
Frosty Names Her Favorite FIRST LADY... And It's Susan B. Anthony ???

Frosty just named Susan B. Anthony her favorite first lady. We were so close.
Frosty Says The Boston MASSACRE Is When Americans Threw The Tea In The Water ☕?

Frosty merged a massacre with a beverage protest and called it history. Abort mission.
Frosty Says Michael Jordan Was BRAVE To Wear Red Because Bulls Hate The Color ???

Michael Jordan wore red even though bulls hate it. Frosty calls that bravery.
Frosty Says The Color Purple Is The Musical Where OPRAH Finally Ends Slavery ??

The musical where Oprah finally ends slavery, according to a cat at a podium.
Frosty Thinks INDIA Sailed To America To Fight The French — And That Indiana Should Be Proud ???

Frosty thinks India sailed over to fight the French, and Indiana should be proud.
Frosty Says Louis Armstrong Was The First Man On The Moon ???

Louis Armstrong: first man on the moon, still found time for trumpet, says Frosty.
Frosty Says Barbara Walters Snuck Into Watergate And Caught The President "Doing Crimes" ?️?

Barbara Walters snuck into Watergate and caught the president doing crimes, per Frosty.
Frosty Says Ships Sailed Around AFRICA To Reach California ? | Panama Canal Presser Derails

Frosty relocated an entire continent at a podium. Geography teachers, look away now.
Frosty Thinks A CONFEDERATE GENERAL Invented Pride Month ?️‍? | Stonewall Presser Ends In Begging

Frosty thinks a Confederate general invented Pride Month. The begging did not help.
Frosty Says LANCE ARMSTRONG Walked On The Moon ?? | Summer Of 69 Press Conference DISASTER

Lance Armstrong on the moon, says Frosty. We practiced this. She went rogue anyway.
Frosty Says They Sailed The Ocean On A WARDROBE ?? | Dawn Treader Press Conference Meltdown

They floated a wardrobe across the ocean, says Frosty. It is a ship. Always was.
Frosty Claims The Wright Brothers Flew During The CIVIL WAR ✈️? | Press Conference Goes Nuclear

First flight during the Civil War, per Frosty. Forty years off. Kitty Hawk deserves better.
Frosty Turns Three Mile Island Into A BRUTAL Shot At Men ?☢️ | Press Conference Gets X-Rated

Frosty respects any island honest enough to tell you exactly how long it is.
Frosty Says NANCY PELOSI Got Clubbed By Tonya Harding ⛸️?️ | Presser Instantly Becomes A Meme

Frosty says Tonya clubbed Nancy Pelosi. The memes are writing themselves already.
Frosty Praises George Washington For Speaking With WOODEN TEETH ?? | Inauguration Presser Pain

Wooden teeth, memorable speech, says Frosty. That's the analysis. That's the whole take.
Frosty Thinks Whitney Wrote That Song FOR HER Personally ?? | Press Conference Ends In Insults

Frosty believes Whitney wrote that song for her personally. Dolly Parton was unavailable for comment.
Frosty Says ROSA PARKS Sat At The FRONT Of The Bus So Women Could Vote ??️ | Presser Catastrophe

Rosa Parks, front of the bus, votes for women. Every word of that is wrong.
Frosty Says We Beat Y2K By TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF ??️ | Press Conference Goes Completely Sideways

America beat Y2K by turning the lights off, per Frosty. That's how we won.

Frosty's Sideline Activities

5 videos

Cat of the Court | Frosty Vaporizes the Agility Ladder Walk

Frosty walks the agility ladder with zero urgency and better footwork than most of us.
Cat of the Court | Frosty and the Two Cone Weave

Two cones, one cat, perfect route - the effort part is your job, not hers.
Cat of the Court | Frosty Murders the 4 Cone Weave

Four cones, double the cuts - Frosty refuses to be timed and still nails the route.
Cat of the Court | Frosty does Hurdle Jumps

Frosty clears the hurdles with insulting ease - your turn, and no excuses.
Cat of the Court | Frosty Obliterates the Box Jump

A cat just demonstrated the box jump and walked off - you have no excuse.