❤️ Why National Cat Day Matters

On this National Cat Day, I’m celebrating the joy, comfort, and unconditional love of my pal Nugget — who’s been deeply missed for nearly two years. Whether you’ve rescued a stray, shared your home with a loyal companion, or simply admired cats (or any pet) from afar, you understand. Cats don’t just share our homes — they shape our hearts and, for some of us, give life deeper meaning.

For me, National Cat Day is personal. It’s part of who I am — and the heart behind Sake a Gogo. I’ve spent years rescuing and rehoming cats across Louisville, but the story — Sake a Gogo’s story — really began with one extraordinary cat: Nugget.

Nugget wasn’t just my pet; he was my companion, my muse, and my quiet anchor through some of the busiest, most creative, and loneliest moments of my life. With his smoky gray fur and soulful, knowing green eyes, Nugget was always by my side — often perched on my shoulder, his favorite spot. He made everything make sense. He was there when I began sketching ideas for Sake a Gogo — walking across keyboards and blueprints, overseeing design boards, and somehow approving every choice: from the golden dragons on the ceiling to the Samurai Cat that now graces our menus.

During construction, as this dream began to take shape, Nugget passed away suddenly. Losing him in that moment — right as Sake a Gogo was coming to life — left a void in my soul. But with time, I’ve come to realize he never truly left. Nugget’s spirit has become part of Sake a Gogo itself — the unseen presence that keeps it elegant, playful, soulful, mischievous, and deeply alive.

Nugget represents all our feline friends, past and present. His spirit is woven into every corner of Sake a Gogo — from the subtle silhouettes and hidden eyes in murals to the names of cocktails and sushi rolls. Each is a reminder of how something beautiful can rise from loss, and how love lives on in the spaces we create.

So tonight, when you raise your glass to your favorite feline, remember all the cats who’ve changed your life — and to Nugget, the original Samurai Cat, whose spirit purrs quietly through my days and through every visit to Sake a Gogo.

If you can join us for our special National Cat Day celebration tonight, know that a portion of your food and drink will go directly toward feline rescue and care — because every cat deserves a story like Nugget’s. ❤️

Learn more or reserve for tonight’s occasion at https://sakeagogo.com/national-cat-day-2025/