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Tiny Pet Profile

Tiny was a male Siberian–Maine Coon mix who lived with Mason Brooks and his parents, Janine and William “Bill”, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was especially attached to Mason.

Origin and Household History

Mason had been asking for a cat when Bill and Janine arranged to obtain a kitten from someone they knew. They surprised him with Tiny for his fourteenth birthday. Tiny was approximately three to four months old and was the household’s only pet when he arrived. Mason named him for his small meow and also called him “T” and “TT.” Jordan Wells, James Pennington, and the other members of The Ride-or-Dies called him “Mr. T.”

Tiny arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Mason was struggling with bullying that had worsened during online schooling. Mason’s friends supported him, but he remained worn down by his own harassment and the bullying directed at Logan.

Mason’s fourteenth birthday fell on a Saturday. Glad to be able to sleep in, he slept until noon, ate breakfast, and worked on one of his first tracks before being called back downstairs. He initially thought Logan and the others had arrived, although he was confused that none of them had texted before being dropped off, as they normally did.

Bill brought the kitten home and held him on his lap before Mason came downstairs. Tiny climbed onto Mason’s lap during their first meeting, and Mason became tearful as he thanked his parents. When Tiny joined the household, the basement had not yet been fully converted into Mason’s music space.

Mason learned Tiny’s preferences for handling and petting while showing him around the house. Afterward, they cuddled on Mason’s bed, where Tiny’s deep purring soothed Mason to sleep while he was still taking in that the kitten was his.

Physical Characteristics

Tiny was a silver tabby with dark stripes and green eyes. He weighed approximately twenty pounds and had the broad, solid body and dense coat of a Siberian. His face was rounded, with tall, tufted ears and large paws resembling those of a Maine Coon.

Behavior and Communication

Tiny was highly social, particularly around the Ride-or-Dies, although his response to visitors depended strongly on the person. He was regarded as an excellent judge of character. Malik Carter once told Mason, “He’s you in feline form.”

Alongside his small meow, Tiny chirped and trilled. He mewed outside Mason’s closed door, cuddled against him, and kneaded on him, which Mason enjoyed.

Tiny loved petting but signaled that he had had enough by gently nibbling a finger. He objected to belly touches and responded with a nip. When Mason ignored his gentler warnings, Tiny gave him a firmer “love bite,” without deliberately breaking the skin. Tiny tolerated being carried but preferred other forms of contact.

Tiny enjoyed sunning himself and chasing a laser pointer, chirping at the light in a way that made Mason laugh. He also played with taps and learned to turn them on. His ability to open lever-style door handles led the family to replace them with round knobs.

Care and Daily Routine

Tiny lived indoors with access to a secure catio and supervised outings on a harness. Mason built the catio himself with help from Ryan, a friend of Bill’s who worked in carpentry. Ryan also built a large cat condo for Tiny in Mason’s basement studio, sized to accommodate his substantial body.

Tiny preferred sleeping on Mason’s bed and also rested in his studio cat condo, on high perches, and in his catio. Mason handled approximately 95 percent of his care, with Janine usually looking after him when Mason was away for gigs.

Health and Veterinary Care

Mason was diligent about taking Tiny to the veterinarian and maintaining his coat. He brushed Tiny at home and took him to a groomer between brushing sessions. Mason found the brushing relaxing himself.

Household Relationships

Mason Brooks

Tiny was particularly affectionate with Mason. After gaining access to Mason’s bedroom following the Richmond trip, he climbed onto the bed, purred while Mason scratched beneath his chin, and settled against his side as Mason went back to sleep.

Janine

Janine helped bring Tiny into the household as Mason’s birthday gift and became his usual caregiver during Mason’s absences. Tiny was affectionate with her and persistently sought her attention, head-butting her hand when she was working instead of petting him.

William “Bill”

Bill and Janine arranged Tiny’s arrival as a surprise for Mason. Bill’s friend Ryan later helped Mason build Tiny’s catio and built the cat condo in Mason’s studio.

Documented Events

Pets Companion Animals Cats