by Finn Frode, Copenhagen, Denmark
Sunday June 10th our Milly celebrated her 18th birthday. A special picnic was served in our garden for her and her lieutenants, Snow White (domestic Shorthair) and Rags (Somali).
Milly has been with our family for her entire life – ever since that first morning when I held her in the palm of my hand as a tiny newborn kitten. You can see more pictures of her at her own page or read the “exclusive interview” published here last year. Also you may enjoy this video of her Sunday morning ritual…
The inevitable is drawing nearer, but actually she seems to be doing much better this summer than for a very long time, so hopefully she still has some miles left in her. Her craving for our attention and special pampering is just as strong as it has always been – and despite physical frailties she is still the undisputed First Cat of the House.
Update:
This was to be her last birthday. Over a week her health had deteriorated badly and a blood test confirmed our fears – her kidneys had finally given in. So on August 22nd Milly left us aged 18 years, 2 months and 12 days. She enjoyed a happy and exceptionally long life, which she left with dignity, so actually she should be celebrated instead of mourned. Milly was a good cat and will forever live on in our family’s memory.
These are thumbnail photos. Click on them if you’d like to see a large format high quality picture and click here to see Milly on Finn Frode’s feline companions website.
Thank you all for your kind comments and condolances about Milly. That final ride to the vet was not easy, but right to the end the other cats never took advantage of her frailties, but accepted her as the natural leader of their little group. It is comforting to know that she left us with all her dignity intact.
And Marc: I’m so glad to hear the you have found the
enclosure links on my site useful. There is so much inspiration to be found from just looking at pictures of all kinds of different solutions and I want to pass on that experience so that hopefully more cats can enjoy the safety of catios.
I’ll be updating the page about our own enclosure soon, so stay tuned. Also I am hoping to put up a special page about “walking the cat” later.
And this Sunday Rags will have been with us for a a year, so if I can get the input form working, I’ll share him with you here on POC. 🙂
So sorry to hear of your loss, Finn. It’s hard to know what to say when something so sad happens, because there is nothing that can be said that can make it better. I hope it is of comfort to you to remember that Milly had a great life with you. You gave her a wonderful home.
I’ve been on your site many times. The last time was because I was researching catios and I saw you have finally closed in your garden so they can go in it. That is so great. You have done such a great thing for your cats. I have also been on your site whilst looking into walking a cat on a leash. I read about how you ended up with Snow White.
I’m so sad to hear of Milly’s passing, I have no doubt she was a very good cat. I hope you and your family and cats will be ok. I can’t imagine what it is like to lose a companion such a Milly after 18years.
It’s been a while since I was last on your site, …I see you got Rags. You were talking of getting him before. You have many great links on your site and I have visited them all. I want to arrange a safe outdoor experience for my cats one way or another.
Belated happy birthday to Milly, I’m sure she was very happy 🙂
My condolences. What a beautiful cat!
Hello Finn.Sad to read about the demise of your long lived pet Millie.18 years is a very long lived life for a cat.As pet owners we should be thankful for the good moments and happiness as well as sadness we cherished with our beloved pets.
H Finn, nice to hear from you but sad to hear the news. Millie had a great human companion though. She was a fine looking cat in a really nice environment. Can’t get much better. Thanks for posting. Hope you are well and the cats.
Bless Millie. It is hardest for the humans left behind. What a good life you gave her Finn. Thank you for sharing her birthday.
dw
Dorothy