Lizard Bennet, four‑legged team member at Blue Rooster Art Supplies in Pasadena (Photos courtesy of Lizard)
Just in time for New Year’s Day 2026, Pasadena has a very special parade spectator: Lizard Bennet, the 3½-year-old tortoiseshell cat who has officially taken up residence at Blue Rooster Art Supplies.
By News Desk
Lizard isn’t your average alley cat. Adopted from a local shelter and named after Jane Austen’s clever, independent heroine Elizabeth Bennet, she has quickly become the shop’s favorite “employee.” And this year, she’ll enjoy a truly enviable vantage point: a front-row seat to the 137th Annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.
Perched comfortably in a big bay window along Colorado Boulevard, Lizard will watch the 5½-mile procession stroll by without ever worrying about pricey bleacher seats. From her cozy cat bed, she can observe all the floats, bands, and balloons, soaking up the pageantry year after year.
“Lizard is more than a mascot,” says Raisa Yavneh, general manager of the shop. “She’s part of our creative family, and she brings a little extra magic to every day, especially on parade day.”
Visitors to Blue Rooster often find themselves chatting with Lizard as much as with the staff. Between naps and watching the world go by, she has inspired a sense of community and creativity, encouraging patrons to explore art, connect with others, and share a few laughs along the way.
Whether you’re a Pasadena local or just passing through, spotting Lizard Bennet in her bay window is now something of a New Year’s tradition, proof that sometimes, the best seats in the house are reserved for those who enjoy life from a cat’s perspective.
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