Maya, 13, is none other than Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay's queen, but also a great everyday friend, her soul mate.

What is the reason that led you to have this cat in your home?

I was 18 or 19 when we met. When I saw her at the pet store, with her big eyes and this beautiful expression of sweetness, I fell in love. Since then, we have been great accomplices. We've known each other for 13 years! I have this feeling that Maya and I have known each other forever and that she is my soul mate. She's my queen!

Why this name?

I had heard that it was good to give short names to animals. Maya is sweet and honeyed to my ear. I find it beautiful, with the "a" ending softly.

How would you describe Maya's personality?

She is very sweet and calm. She is enormously sticky, affectionate, bordering on dependence. When I'm home, she's always with me. She purrs easily and very loudly.

Tell us a funny fact about Maya.

She is able to soften everyone and everyone loves her! I share it on social networks (Instagram). People love him. She provokes smiles.

Tell us an unusual fact about her.

She has big eyes and big ears. She is mesmerizing. Seems like she sees right through us.

What is his favorite activity?

Make her toilet. She is very flirtatious, like her mother (laughs). She likes to take care of herself.

What is his favorite place?

She likes to lie in bed and sleep next to me, on the other pillow. We wake up together every morning.

What do you wish you had known before you got it?

I had already learned a lot about cats, about cohabitation, care and education. And when I first saw her, I instinctively knew that our personalities would work well together.

Who takes care of it when you leave?

My roommate, Bertrand. He is in love with cats and loves them very much. It is a pleasure for him to keep her, because she will sleep with him in his bed when I am not there.

How is your animal a source of inspiration?

My inspiration with her is daily. She is always there. I feel listened to and understood by Maya. She's one of the only ones who can understand my tears... She's the great love of my life, apart from guys! We definitely make a good team. In fact, I wink at her in my book The Daughter of Herself: when the protagonist moves to Montreal, Maya is there! I thank her at the end of the book (page 338), because she accompanied me in all the rewrites and versions of the book and she supported me.

Like master, like animal

We kind of have the same attitude. With others, she is fearful at first, but her heart is quickly won.