Homage a Minou

My beloved for 17 years left this world in February. Although its part of life’s cycle, It’s still painful for others left behind. Minou entered my life during teen-age crisis and has had to put-up with several tribulations. Moving to 8 different homes, putting up with up-to six other cats and dogs and the latest adventure being the trip to accompany me here in the Ollo.

Suffering from heart and kidney problems, I didn’t want us to be living apart during her last months. I went through all of the paperwork exercises back home: vet papers, federal vet papers, stock-up on medicines and special diet food, airline fees, etc. Minou traveled 1st class mostly on my legs during the 20 hour trip. She stayed in the special carry-bag but I had my hand stuck in the bag to comfort her. I’ll spare the details on how she arrived to the apartment last summer only because this is a public blog and the last thing I need are problems with Big Brother…after all, I am a guest in this country and don’t wish to be jailed! So, the weekend before, I knew that her body was starting to shut-down. I spent all night by her side, trying to make her feel comfortable. She finally passed-away in my arms. My biggest fear was to see her suffer and have to go to a local barbarian vet but I was sparred this trauma and it all ended quite rapidly. She was an elegant, distinguished cat who stayed a trooper to the end. I chose an out of way place in a garden inside the apartment complex that I can still see from my bedroom window as a final resting place for her body. Unfortunately, the earth is still frozen so digging a hole was almost impossible. A security guard came with a pick axe and help with the digging. During the night of the burial, New Year spring fest fireworks were still going strong… It was a surreal moment of sadness. That same day, I received a bouquet of flowers that had been sent by a couple of colleagues from the office who had heard about my loss. It was a comforting gesture that I very much appreciated.