Minou | April 17, 2002 - February 9, 2015

Minou | 2002-2015

I put in my bid for one of Clark and Shannon’s Russian Blue kittens when TeeCee (Tornado Cat) was pregnant with the latest “batch” in early 2002. Clark insisted on a rigorous vetting process with a wide range of qualifications, including the requirement that his large cat family approve of a prospective adoptive parent.

I must have passed, because I was soon invited to view TeeCee’s litter, a pile of silver beauties supervised by their vigilant mother. I had once read that the pick of the litter is the mother’s favorite kitten, supposedly the one nursing closest to her face. I selected that kitten and put her in the palm of my hand. Her little claws stuck like Velcro when I held her against my shirt, next to my face. I was totally and forever in love.

Spring turned to summer, and shortly after the Fourth of July when the kittens in the litter were about  12 weeks old, Clark summoned me to come and pick up my cat. I brought the tiny creature home on a warm evening after stopping at son Chris’ workplace to show her off. My fear of Bob’s reaction was soon realized;  he stormed out of the house and didn't return for several hours, silent and fuming. Our tabby Fritz, dark-eyed with hostility, stationed himself outside the bedroom where I had sequestered the new kitten.

The next morning, Bob was still angry so I had to take a vacation day to stay home with the new baby, whose beautiful blue eyes were already beginning to turn the striking emerald green of the adult Russian Blue. The next morning, I went to work, full of anxiety, worried that the kitten would never find a place for herself in this hostile environment.

When I walked in the door at the end of the day, Bob excitedly demanded the video camera. The kitten was perched on his lap, looking adorable and content. From that moment on, Minou was Bob's adored baby and he was "her" preferred person.  I decided to name her “Minou”, a generic name – "Kitty” in French -- but uncommon here in Minnesota. I dutifully registered her with the Cat Fanciers Association under her full pretentious name, Princess Katya Minou.

As the years passed, Fritz tolerated Minou and especially appreciated her begging skills. When the shared dish of dry food was empty, Fritz would get Minou to persuade me to fill it. Fritz and Minou shared an interest in birds and other backyard wildlife, and they both loved to hate the outdoor cats that appeared regularly at the front door or under the bird feeder. They had hours of entertainment watching Alpha, the little betta fish that lived on the kitchen counter for a couple of years.

Minou was always a “self petter”, but she snuggled her way into Fritz and Bob’s “daily rub” routine. When Fritz wouldn't allow Minou on the bed where he enjoyed a vigorous rub every morning, she got Bob to give her “the rub” on the stairwell landing, while Fritz glared menacingly from above.

After Fritz died, Minou became much more affectionate and, in the last few years, she loved to sit between Bob’s legs or stretch out on Chris’ chest.  She ran like a little wildcat and jumped to great heights in one easy leap, up to the top of the buffet or the shower in the basement, her landing pad for "walking the pipes". She peered at us from the kitchen cabinets and refused to come down until she was good and ready.

We were heartbroken when it seemed last fall that Minou might have cancer, and were so happy when she rallied after treatment with antibiotics. Unfortunately, respite was short lived, and last week, we realized that her health was declining rapidly. Over the weekend, we were alarmed to see that she could barely eat or do anything but sleep.

Our wonderful Dr. Whitman and the compassionate staff at Animal Medical Medical Clinic helped Minou die peacefully, and we are relieved that she is finally at rest on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.  We loved her so much and were fortunate to enjoy her in our family for nearly thirteen years. The house feels so empty without her!

More about Animal Medical Clinic's care http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_27568680/best-pets-and-their-humans.