Thirteen years ago a stray cat showed up on my street in Belgium. I fed him for several years while he lived in a vacant house across the street. I called him "Black Kitty". Eventually, he worked his way into my house. I certainly could not continue to call him "Black Kitty"----that is no name for a cat. So he got a new name--MINUIT. (which is MIDNIGHT in French and pronounced MIN-WEE).
Minuit was always loving----to me. However, he hissed at Dallas every time he (Dallas) walked into the room. He did this for almost 2 years. (Dallas finally used tough love for cats---every time Minuit hissed, Dallas would immediately pet him in an overly-affectionate manner-- for several minutes. Minuit quickly stopped his hissing-habit).
Minuit was my shadow....so much so that I often tripped over him as he was always following me around the house. And he loved to hear me sing. He could be in the back of the house, sound asleep----and if I started singing he would run to the living room and sit on the couch, to watch and listen to me sing.....like my own private one-kitty-audience. (ok--maybe it is possible that he is simply deaf and is just attracted to the musical vibrations felt in the floor). And I could never sit at the computer without him. He insisted on being on my lap--laying his head across my hands, making it nearly impossible to type. Like most cats, he loved to lay in the sun. He would always find a small spot of sun on the floor and then follow it, moving as the sun spot moved.
About five years ago Minuit began having medical problems. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor, heart problems (then later a heart murmur), diabetes, liver problems, anemia, neuropathy in his front leg, seizures, and severe dehydration. So Minuit endured twice daily (or more often) blood tests, twice daily insulin shots, subcutaneous hydration (we bought IV fluids and special needles to give him the fluids twice a day), various medications mixed in his food, weekly shots for anemia --that can burn a bit at times, and weekly trips to the vet for special blood tests. He went to a Belgian Veterinary University hospital for multiple tests, saw a neurologist and a dermatologist. He lost most of his black fur which just left him with his fuzzy gray undercoat. He was often mistaken for a Siamese cat or some rare breed due to his unusual appearance. He even had a CAT scan (ironically....it turns out CAT scans really don't work very well on cats due to the closeness of the skull to the brain).
Minuit rarely complained and always sat still for all his treatments, sometimes even purring while getting his subQ hydrations. Five different vets advised me (five different times) that Minuit was going die....within months----or even days. He never did. He enjoyed making liars out of all of them. He wasn't ready to go. He loved living. (one vet told me "this cat does not want to die"). He continued to enjoy life...eating a lot, drinking a lot, getting and giving kitty cuddling, and hobbling around --(he walked lopsided--with a limp due to the neuropathy) and had whiskers on only side of his face ....he was sometimes called Quasimodo by my friends.
All of this medical history is not very interesting----but I write about it so you can understand what a fighter Minuit is.....never giving in----always living on---giving lots of love and joy to his family, especially to me.
Last July, once again, the vets told me that Minuit would not last more than 2 days. However, at the end of August, he flew with me to Washington DC, where he stayed with me for 3 months. The vets in DC informed me that he would not live long. However, in late November he took the 11 hour drive with me to Georgia. The vets there told me he had 48 hours to live (that was 3 weeks ago). As we have been living in a hotel for the last 5 months, I have been worried that Minuit would die and I would not have a place to bury him (The Extended Stay Deluxe hotel is not exactly the place for a pet cemetery).
Last night, at 12:30, my brave, tough Minuit finally gave up the fight. He laid in his bed next to me and quietly took his last breath.
We closed on our house yesterday. So, we now have a place to bury him. (I think he intentionally waited so he wouldn't have to have a hotel parking lot burial).
Special thanks to Valerie, my wonderful Belgian friend, who cared for Minuit whenever I was on vacation or made trips from Belgium to the US. She tested his blood and gave him his shots and medication. Minuit allowed her to do all this and would even sleep on the bed with her. Valerie, your tender care of my beloved cat will never be forgotten.
And a huge hug for Kim and Steve (and Louie) who gave me and Minuit a place to stay in DC for 3 months. Without them and their amazing generosity, Minuit would not have been able to travel with me to the US. ....(and Kim was the friend who gave Minuit his Quasimodo nickname)
Now we are in our
new house, with Minuit nearby. He was a sweet, loving boy with so much fight and determination in him. I miss his little furless body and his huge loving heart.
