by Finn Frode
(Copenhagen, Denmark)
Milly – First Cat of the House
Today, June 10th our Norwegian Forest queen Milly celebrates her 17th birthday. To mark the occasion our special correspondent has been granted an exclusive interview with Her Majesty, who usually prefers living without media attention.
Your Majesty grew up straitened circumstances?
– Oh yes, it definitely wasn’t written in the stars that someday I would become the Queen. My siblings and I were born by a single mother in a humble apartment in a poor neighborhood near Copenhagen. I had the luck to be the one to stay at home, but my brother and sister were sent out into the world while they were still very young. I wasn’t a particularly beautiful child, so I believe I was chosen because of my cheerfulness and my bright mind.
And how were Your Majesty’s school days?
– I was tutored at home by an uncle. As fate had it I was placed in the paws of the orange mixed-breed Rudolf, probably the greatest philosopher and thinker of our times. His wisdom has influenced me immensely. Yes, I always say that all that is worth knowing, I know from Rudolf. A master mentor and a caring cat, he was indeed.
Pardon me for asking, but was it because of Rudolf that Your Majesty never married?
– To some extent, yes. If I could not have Rudolf, I did not care about marriage at all. Attempts to hook me up with suitable young partners were made on a couple of occasions, but nothing came of that. They were both very attractive young toms, but maybe a little to shy and inexperienced…
And Your Majesties career at the cat shows.
– Never took off either. There were simply too many brown tabbies around back then, so this little lass from the suburb didn’t stand a chance for winning an Excellent 1 position. And my whiskers probably were too small for that as well – although I caught up with that later. I soon realized that my calling in life would be to accompany Rudolf as his loyal first officer,
But then one faithful day You Majesty became the Queen of the house?
– Yes, it was such a terrible shock for us all that Rudolf was taken ill. When they returned with the empty cat carrier, I just could not see how I could go on. After all he was the one that kept the Universe in place! But I’m tough and I understood that I was bound by fate, so I took upon me the First Cat duties. And as the only cat in the house for no less than 6 years! During that time I learned how to hold my own among humans and today I probably know more about them, than they do themselves. I also speak the human language fluently, although I am not always listened to…
I sense that Your Majesty feels she is not consulted as often as she should be?
– Correct. As first cat of the house I would expect to have some participation, but so far the humans I live with have never asked me about e.g. allowing new cats in. I’m a cat myself, so asking me would be the natural thing to do. I’m not gonna say anything bad about Ivanhoe, because he was a polite young cat that knew where his place was, but the next one they brought in has really been testing my patience. It’s not that Snow White has been violent, but her lack of respect is so shocking, absolutely shocking. I personally does not mind much, but she is in fact insulting the reputation of the First Cat office. She ignores my hissing – and besides that her weight is twice that of mine…
Last summer Your Majesties household moved residence?
– Yes, the apartment had become too small for us, so I advised my humans to provide for a suitable house with the facilities requested by me. My previous quarters had been located on one floor only, so for the first time I had to learn how to run on stairs. Despite a little arthritis I’ve become quite good at it. And my favorite scratch tree has been placed adjacent to the door to the cat yard so that I can watch the birds outside from the comfort of my cat bunk. Living with Snow White has also improved since we moved, so this change of air has definitely benefited us all. Even the food tastes better in the new house…
And the future, Your Majesty?
The future is never-ending – that’s what Rudolf taught me. So far I’ve outlived every cat that I’ve lived with and I intend to keep it like that!
More Milly pictures at her own page
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| Jun 13, 2011 Rating  | long live the queen Millie is no doubt the queen. Happy belated birthday to her and many more. What a cute article. |
| Jun 12, 2011 Rating | Happy birthday Milly! Happy birthday Milly! 17 years young! Not bad at all! |
| Jun 11, 2011 Rating | Happy Birthday Milly Finn, you are the best. There is no higher honor to a cat than having a wonderful story written about her. Not only long will she reign, long will she be known and remembered by this delightful story that really tells who she is. Who better to tell the story, than her faithful servant of so many years! Congratulations to you all. Kisses to Snow White. Loved seeing her website too. Dorothy |
| Jun 11, 2011 Rating | Heartfelt greetings Her Majesty Queen Milly has asked me to convey her warm thanks for all your kind and most pleasant comments. She sends her most heartfelt greetings to cats not just in her own realm but all over the World. She also expresses her gratitude to those, who have joined the good fight against the cruel and abusive practice of declawing. She added, “Cut your own fingertips off, you stupid cat molesters!” before resuming her afternoon nap. |
| Jun 11, 2011 Rating | Happy Birthday Happy Birthday Milly – from an admirer. |
| Jun 11, 2011 Rating | To Millie Happy birthday Millie and long may you reign over your Queendom. We are 2 Kingly gentlemen who have the services of 2 servants who almost 10 years ago vowed to us lifelong loyalty. Birthday regards from those said servants too:
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| Jun 11, 2011 Rating | Millie turns 17. Congradulations “Millie” on reaching the ripe young age of 17 and maintaining the beauty.Excellent. |
| Jun 11, 2011 Rating | Long Reign In human terms she has reigned longer than Queen Victoria. She looks fine for a cat of 17 years of age. I am the faithful subject and servant of Queen Binnie and her consort Charles (Charlie) the Duke of Barnes. I am called upon at all times of the day and night to tend to their needs. The Queen is very demanding these days, insisting on a fresh cucumber sandwich at 4 in the morning. I know all the about the responsibilities that we human servants take on. Long may Milly reign. Long live the Queen. |
