Minuet – recent photo by our daughter Beth
Does the fact that she was a cat make this post seem less sincere? It’s not. Anyone who’s adopted an animal knows that pets are family members–and family means loving unconditionally.
Minuet was beautiful and troubled. The moment our daughter Beth brought her home, we suspected this little cat had been mistreated, perhaps badly.
But love was the cure. The more we held and stroked her, the more she relaxed, finally believing, it seemed, that she would never be abandoned again. She soon became affectionate and playful.
And then Misha arrived. If Minuet was the moody goth girl, we joked with our teenage daughters, Misha was the carefree cheerleader. And yet somehow these antithetical felines got along, even spooning together when they napped.
That is, until Misha came of age.
Almost overnight, some insidious hormonal reaction occurred in Minuet. She seemed threatened by Misha’s very presence, repeatedly attempting to drive her away. And Misha, in-turn, defended herself; this was her home too—every inch of it. The claws were drawn.
We finally had to permanently separate them, relegating Minuet to the place she felt safest, the basement. And so, for a year she lived in isolation. We’d visit her throughout the day, holding her and reminding her we loved her. But it was a band-aid, not a fix.
And then, Beth, now out of college and living on her own, came to visit. Her heart nearly broke when she saw Minuet alone in the basement. After holding and re-bonding with her Minuet, Beth insisted on taking her back with her to California.
To say that getting Minuet into a carrier and onto a plane was traumatic would be a ludicrous understatement. Every fiber of trust we’d woven into her was shredded that day. Trudy and I cried as the plane departed, fearing our attempt at a solution had inflicted permanent damage.
But within a week, Beth reported, Minuet was exploring her new home and curling up next to her new hero at night. After all, Beth was the one who’d rescued her from the people who abandoned her. It saddened us to be the enemy, but sometimes love makes you the bad guy. At any rate, it was a small price to pay to restore this beloved family member, who was now living happily with her true “mom.”
Minuet passed away last week, while looking quietly into her Beth’s eyes, knowing she was loved…
Unconditionally.
sometimes love makes you the bad guy
This is a tough one.
Sorry for your loss. Pets are family.
My condolences, Mitch. Our “Minuet” was a sweet calico my brother found wandering by a creek. We named her “Miss Kitty”. She lived to be a toothless almost 20 year old. Her favorite thing to do was nap in the fork of our apricot tree. Even the tree is gone now, at the old home place, but I can still see her snoozing in the breeze. You are so right, pets are family. Blessings!
Aww, you too, David.
When I lost my cat I cried so much I had to put cucumber on my eyes. They are family they live their lives with you and are such a gift. 🌷🌷🌷💜✝️🙏
Such a touching and heart breaking post. Sincere sympathies to you, Trudy, and Beth. There is comfort in the knowledge that Minuet knew she was loved. Pets are a very special kind of family and it hurts deeply when they leave us. Rest In Peace, little one.
Thank you, Gina.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Family is family no matter their shape or form.
Yep.
OMG! We’ve lost two kittens and I’ve cried more than the kids each time. Hugs and love to your family and Beth.
Thank you, Ermelinda.
Pets, regardless of what kind; dog, cats, birds, are family. I don’t have any now because of losing them and the heartbreak of losing, “yet another family member.” So sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Sue.
We have given up on pet cats, because they tend to get run over on the road and it doesn’t do the kids any good.
A sad reality. We lost a couple of cats that way when I was a kid. Here in Cincinnati, because of the sometimes harsher weather (and a major highway nearby), ours have been strictly indoor cats.
Ours was a calico named Harley (pre named by the person who gave her to us – because her loud purr sounded like a Harley). She was a young stray. I had only had dogs as pets before her, so it was an adjustment for both of us. Our dog exhibited a nonchalant attitude. He knew he was our first. They bonded very quickly and I, the non cat person, was her favorite. She lived until she was 21. We were planning a family vacation for the end of May 1995 and we all worried who could come and care for her, as she was weak. On Mother’s Day we came home from mass and found her curled up in her special spot forever sleeping. They are all our family.
Sweet memories, Kathleen.
kathleen remember year 99
Sometimes it’s the hard stories of love that touch us most deeply. Thank you for the loving skill with which you’re able to tell such a story. Love wins.
It does indeed, Martha.
A sad story but beautiful too 😢💕
Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Peace, Mitch. You and your family have my sincerest condolences. She was a beauty. 🙏🏾💙
Thank you, Tre.
You’re most welcome.
I’m so sorry to hear of Minuet’s passing. I know devasting it is to lose a beloved pet.
Pets are definitely family members. They are very present every time. I am feeling so sorry for your loss, Mitch! Have a nice weekend! xx Michael
Thanks, Michael, you too.
P.S. I still see “Coming Soon” when I try and visit your blog site.
Hello Mitch! Sorry for this! I had, to change the blog, and now i am selfhosted at: https://books.eslarn-net.de. Some of the very good inventions of WP.com like the liking,commenting and reblogging feature are based on their Jetpack engine. This one phones to the USA, and is not allwed to use by the German version of the GDPR. 😉 xx
Thanks, Michael. Unfortunately, everything (comments, profile image, emails) still link to your older website.
I know how it is. When they enter your home, they are no longer animals, they are friends, confidants, and even health care workers. Animals are incredible creatures that humans could only hope to one day live up to.
I am very sorry for your lose.
Thanks, GP.
So very sorry for your loss. She is beautiful; may she rest in peace. HUGS!
Thank you, Maryanne.
I just lost my cat a few months ago. He curled up and fell asleep. My ex found him and called me. I rushed over, and I held my 19 year old baby as my husband (at the time) prepared for the burial. I did not cry at that time, I just held him and kept talking to him like I did through 19 years of his life. It wasn’t until we placed him in his new forever home that I broke down and cried like a child.
It hurts beyond anything when a pet passes, but at least she is on the Rainbow Bridge, and maybe she became friends with my Gryffin.
as of age 44
The cat was 44 years old?
yes what was life
What kind of cat lives 44 years? That’s AMAZING!
i was asking what if
If they lived to be 44 years old we wouldn’t appreciate them as much when they’re here.
i meant 44 year old baby
We just said goodbye to one of our border collies (almost 15 years old). We rescued Foxy from a shelter when she was about three. The pain of saying goodbye, though, is not outweighed by the love exchanged between us and our pets.
My extra-biblical (but not anti-biblical) hope is that the God who created them will allow them to join us again in his kingdom.
Oh yes, Rob! I see great hope for that in Romans 8:19-22!
I’m so sorry
Holding back tears. Even our fur kids have very much in common. Sad for your loss, Mitch, Trudy, et. al.
Thank you, dear Annie.
They crawl into our souls and stay there. God bless and comfort.
Yes, they do. Thanks, Nancy.
So sorry for your loss. Dang animals certainly have a way of becoming family. Across that Rainbow Bridge.
Believe me, I know how you feel! So glad her last days were good, top cat at Beth’s pad!
Sorry for your loss…
Thank you, Lisa.
Awh!! What a touching, precious story! ❤ Pets are indeed family and it seems like Minuet was fortunate to have a wonderful family and “mom”.
Yes, pets are definitely family. As a kid my brother would tease me because I cried when an animal died, especially if it was our pet. he just didn’t get it. Blessings to you Sir!
Thank you, Tammy, you too.
My sincere condolences for your loss Mitch. As a dog owner most of my life, it is always hard to describe the trauma of the death of a loved pet to others. I think our pets are a picture of God’s unconditional love for us while we tarry on this earth.
I couldn’t agree more, Alan.
Oh, I am so very sorry…… Herbert is definitely a member of our family, so I very much relate to your loss.
I’m so sorry. I’ve lost two who were fighting leaving, until I told them it was okay, it was time. That last breath taken is heartbreaking.
Oh what a sweet story. Literally brings tears to my eyes. The love of a pet is indescribable. I lost a beautiful male black cat a few years back. He was always very nervous for some reason. Terrified when we brought him and his female buddy home 12 years ago. But I believe, like your Minuet, that he felt safe and loved here. We still have the female and she is more loving than ever, but showing her age.
My heart goes out to you and your daughter. Thank you for sharing 💙
Thank you, Lisa.
Beth gave Minuet a very precious gift: to die in loving arms. That’s one brave, young woman. P.S. As I mentioned to Rob Stroud above, I strongly believe our pets will be with us in heaven (Romans 8:19-22)!
It certainly seems to suggest that, doesn’t it, Nancy? Thank you, dear friend.
romans 33:44-47 call unto thee
<3
The pain to lose a pet is no different than our human loved ones….. Sorrow of heart is the same. Sorry for you and your daughters loss of a good friend. God Bless You Mitch.
Julia
Thank you, Julia, you too.
Working past the incompatibility with Misha, U and Trudy and Beth gave Minuet the loving home all pets should have. Be proud. Hope the following short elegy helps a little.
Minuet the cat,
named after a graceful dance,
heard music of love.
Aww, it does, my friend, it does. Blessings.
It’s hard to click the like button on this. I hope she lived a good long time after her plane ride. They are family members without a doubt. You will miss her probably forever.
Yes, she was with Beth in California for quite a few years.
Pets are indeed very much a part of the family. They give us so much love and joy. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you, PG.
Love is the cure. We do the best we can, and trust that the life we have helped provide is better than the one that would have been otherwise. Shelter animals are a special gift.
They are.
So sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. 💙 Down through the years, I’ve lost quite a few cats, and each and every one has been a blow to my heart. Chelsea, the last cat that passed away devastated my husband. She died five years ago, and he still can’t bear the thought of getting another. Maybe someday….
It’s hard being the “bad guy” with animals, knowing you can’t really explain to the what you’re doing. I feel that whenever I take Mr. Hollywood to the vet. And the salon. (*eye roll*)
Well, gotta live up to that name.
What a sad and lovely story.. thank you 😊💛😊
So sorry for the loss of your family member. Sometimes love does make us the bad guy, but we must continue to love.
My prayers go out to all of you!
Thank you.
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I’m so very sorry, for you and your family! And I have to say that I admire the way you and your wife let Minuet go live with your daughter when it was obvious she could no longer live happily in your house. That took both courage and love.
Thanks Mitch. loved this.💙
Sorry for your loss Mitch, praying for you and your family!
Thank you, Kamina.
You’re welcome Mitch 🙏🏾
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A moving story – I’m so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are indeed family even when they are troubled! And I feel your pain there. Our Cat Cat (who will happily greet Minuet over the rainbow bridge) was very troubled and we also had to separate him from his sister for a long time. Luckily it got better eventually, and I think Kitty was quite sad when he left us. Sending prayers to you and Beth.
Thank you so much, M.B.
My condolences. I guess the best thing from all of this is that knowing Minuet has always been beloved until the end of her days…
Yes. And thank you.