MINNIE THE CAT...by b. Malin
ODE TO MINNIE...
Minnie the Cat was my Sister's l3 year old cat. Minnie the Cat was "This" and she was "That"... I shall explain, for this piece is dedicated to her, and to my Sister, and the Life they shared.
When Minnie was little, she was "This" adorable kitten of white, black and brown (in spots) fur ball that my sister rescued from somewhere, and brought home. They were quite the pair. For Minnie, the world could see at an early age, was a bit nuts...One never knew what could or would set her off. She could be nice kitty one minute and crazy deranged kitty the next. Some of us in the family could justifiably Fear her...But not my sister.
I have to tell you at this point, that my sister, in my opinion, is one of the Best Cooks... She can make anything! And so there in her kitchen would be Minnie sitting on the counter top or walking along the tops of the cabinets taking in all the wonderful smells.
Minnie and I had a strange relationship when I would go to visit my sister and I slept over. Minnie and I would go to the bathroom together...Too much information? Well let me explain. My sister's condo has one bathroom and in that bathroom was Minnie's littler box. Anyway, she would follow me in and I'd sit on the Commode, and she in her box. I know it sounds strange, but I didn't mind...nor did she. I'll miss that.
As Minnie grew into "Cat Adulthood" she showed "That" side...She could be Scary...and everyone knew that she ruled...And if she didn't like you, she could Attack! She never played favorites...Though I am proud to say, she never attacked Lover Man or Me. No, she'd just walk around our heads when we were trying to sleep...No one ever told her she couldn't...We weren't that Brave. Sometimes she'd nestle in and sleep at our feet, and we'd think, she likes us...
My Sister, God love her, had "That" kind of a relationship with Minnie...Minnie could sleep anywhere in my Sister's bed...around my Sister's head was usually Minnie's favorite spot. They would breathe love in each others face. Were they perfect together...No. On certain occasions while playing with Ms. Minnie, my Sister could get scratched or bitten...Minnie could get carried away.
Last October my Sister vacationed for 15 days and 14 nights seeing the sights of Italy. How grand that was for her...But, before she left, it was what to do with Minnie. My Sister's daughter said she would take Ms. Minnie. But my Sister would have to bring her there. What a scene, Minnie, running and screaming and my Sister begging and chasing after her, with her carrying case in one hand, and a treat in the other. It took an hour, and many scratches up and down both arms to get Ms. Minnie...It's like that cat knew that they would be separated for a long time and she wanted none of that, No thank you.
About a month ago, during one of our many phone conversations, my Sister said, "I think there's something wrong with Minnie, she's loosing weight, hardly eating and not pooping...and she actually let me put her into her carrying case for a visit to the Veterinarian". "What did the Veterinarian say" I asked. " Well she replied, Minnie has a blockage in her colon, which they cleaned out...but it's not good. The Vet. feels, there's no sense in putting her through a lot, and upsetting her...he says, what little strength she has left will last her for awhile...he gave her something for the pain, and now we are home". When we hung up I cried for both of them.
My Sister knew Minnie had no appetite, but still she tried to feed and give her nourishment, but to no avail, the cat still kept loosing weight. A few nights later, my sister decided to line her mattress with plastic and covered it back up with the sheets and blanket...and then she lay down and waited...She didn't have to wait long, for she felt Minnie jump with her last bit of strength onto the bed, and crawl up to lay beside her. My sister gently placed Minnie in her arms and Minnie went to sleep for the very last time...
