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Life Lessons from My Kitty

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

Life Lessons from My Kitty

Minx as a Kitten 

In the summer of 2003, you could not have convinced me that I would ever be a cat lover.  Years prior, I had some accumulated some bad experiences with hissy, grumpy cats.  It tainted my view of the species, which looking back, was really unfair.

Going into Labor Day weekend, 2003, two tiny furry blobs changed my way of thinking on cats.  Each day going forward from the time I found them under an azalea bush in my yard, I can't imagine life without them.  One of those cats that I found that day is Minx.

Having been a "dog person" for years, I treated these new additions to our family like I would a dog.  I gave them love and appreciation and, just like a dog, they gave it back.  The only thing I could do with a dog, that I couldn't with the cats, is put them on a leash and walk them.   

Minx TodayMinx is a special girl.  And this year, we've realized that despite how young she acts, age is making its mark.  Don't worry.  Minx is fine, and with an adjusted diet for her newly diagnosed kidney disease, will live a happy life for more years to come. She has very conscientious parents.  At the moment she is a very young 15.  

The lessons this cat in particular has taught me are life lessons for us all.  The big one is forgiveness.  I may be the person that locks her in a room, or takes her to the vet, but her actions tell me she forgives that and focuses on the positive.  Instead, I'm the person that rescued her from a locked room or the one that brought her home from the vet.  She won't stop burbling at me or rubbing on my legs.

Minx also has the ability to enjoy everyday tasks.  Changing the bed sheets were never so much fun.  She loves to jump up and chase the air and wrinkles out of the fluffed sheets.

When it comes to enjoying a meal, Minx prefers to dine with her feline companions.  She won't eat if I lock her in a room.  We've tried with this new kidney diet.  Realizing it may be an issue, our vet assured us it is more than healthy for the rest of our aging feline household to partake in Minx's new diet.

Speaking of Minx's new diet, she has not turned her nose up at the new food yet.  Getting the other finnicky cats to accept it has been more of a challenge.  She's rolling with the changes.  

Each of our cats has a different personality, but Minx is as bubbly and happy as they get.  And this is a cat that has been getting eye drops twice a day for years for glaucoma.  She sees the vet more than any other cat just for that reason.  Trips to the eye doctor are not her favorite.  Nonetheless, she never hisses or acts out on anyone trying to help her.

Life wouldn't be the same without this beauty in our lives.  We are so thankful she is ours.

 

 

 

 

Comments (15)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Chris Ann,

We love this post.  And the photos are adorable of Minx.  Every Wednesday is sheets day here, as we have them picked up to be laundered.  Quincy loves making the bed with us, and we all laugh.  Yes, they are forgiving and loving.  Happy Valentine's Day to you.  A

Feb 14, 2018 01:38 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Ron and Alexandra Seigel --Minx is a ray of sunshine in our home.  And while the rest are loving, none are as bubbly as she is.  

Feb 16, 2018 04:48 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Chris Ann- isn't it something how our four-legged furry friends become such an important part of our lives. They're all so different in personality and we love each one of them. BTW- I can't imagine how difficult it must be to give a cat eye drops!  Our Brittany's went blind and we never had to deal with the drops. 

Feb 14, 2018 01:39 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Kathy Streib --With five in the house, it won't shock you to know I have a totally blind cat as well.  She gets around really well.  Most folks have no clue she's blind.

Feb 16, 2018 04:48 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Chris Ann what a sweet story! Fur babies are such a huge part of our family too. Happy Valentines Day to you - and your fur babies!

Feb 14, 2018 02:48 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB --They are.  Hope you treated you Barney to something special for Valentine's Day.

Feb 16, 2018 04:49 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are adorable little fur babies, Chris Ann.  I can fully understand your loving them.

Feb 14, 2018 05:02 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Myrl Jeffcoat --Never thought I'd be a cat lady.  Can't imagine life without them now.

Feb 16, 2018 04:49 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I'm sorry to hear of Minx's diagnosis, Chris Ann. I've had several cats with kidney disease in my life. My last cat, Brandon, was diagnosed at age 15. He lived to be almost 20, and he never ate that icky kidney diet food, LOL. Even though the vet gave him 6 months to live.

I did make him his own safe place to sleep at night, with a low-rise condo, a tarp covering the floor and walls of a 4x4 enclosure. That contraption lived in our family room for 5 years. He lived a very happy life all the way to the end, when one day he just wouldn't get up or eat. My best to you, Chris Ann.

Feb 14, 2018 06:46 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Don't even get me started on inflammed bladders and male cats. Xanax seems to help when Jackson has flare ups. It is better to get the 1/2 mg and cut them into quarters than the 1 mg into quarters, IMHO. It provides immediate relief.

Feb 19, 2018 06:53 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents --I remember Brandon and how heartbroken you were when the end came.  It's hard.  We found a formula they all seem to like with respect to the kidney diet.  And I'm hoping it helps with urinary crystals the males have had issues with.  Vet seemed to think so since it is pH neutral and would prevent such formations.  


Life in a multiple cat house can be challenging.  

Feb 16, 2018 04:52 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Chris Ann Cleland Love how you express your appreciation for Minx. Beautifully written and I feel your passion. Here's to many more enjoyable years with your purrfect kitty.

Feb 14, 2018 08:59 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland --I do hope to have her around for many more years.

Feb 16, 2018 04:52 PM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

What a wonderful post and so appropriate for Valentine's Day!  I just melted at the kitten photo...oh, my goodness, is there anything cuter than a kitten, really?  And I say this as a dog person (who also was fortunate enough to have had 3 cats in a previous life).   Thanks for such a happy post!  Minx is the cat's meow, as they say.  And just beautiful.

Feb 15, 2018 05:46 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Susan Haughton --She's a precious girl.  At the moment she's avoiding me.  She knows eye drop time is nearing.

Feb 16, 2018 04:53 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Chris Ann. Oh my, Minx was a beautiful kitty and is stunning now too. I really enjoyed this. :)

Feb 15, 2018 06:41 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Sheila Anderson --I knew you would like it.  Our furry families are important to both of us.

Feb 16, 2018 04:54 PM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

We all have to adjust our lives from time to time and it sounds like you are doing what you have to do to take care of your little friend.

Feb 15, 2018 06:56 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

JL Boney, III --You do what you have to do.

Feb 16, 2018 04:54 PM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Chris Ann

I guess this is a CATankerous tale of a grimalkin, furry love. cheers cvc

Feb 17, 2018 11:23 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Chris Ann Cleland - I've always been a dog person too.  And a bird person having owned them for 25 years.  Cats and birds do not mix well.  I so enjoyed reading your story. Out pets are great teachers in so many ways. 

Feb 18, 2018 12:18 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Kathleen Daniels --I never thought I'd be a cat person, having been raised with a dog.  I think having pets in the home is a blessing, no matter what the type.

Feb 19, 2018 09:32 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

We are dog people, but certainly do appreciate cats. And Minx looks like one we'd love in an instant.  Ron and Alexandra didn't mention it in their post, but Quincy, their cat, does use a a leash. It's so cute to see him.  Here's to many loving years with your beautiful Minx. 

Feb 18, 2018 02:54 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD --That's awesome about Quincy.  I need to train my chubbo cat (Shadow) to walk on a leash.  We can get on an exercise program together. 

Feb 19, 2018 09:32 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

You know Chris Ann Cleland they say you don't find love, love finds you. Minx found you and has definitely changed your life to be so much more enjoyable. Your attentive nature to her needs is to be applauded and appreciated. Regardless of her age, she is such a beautiful fur baby! 

Thank you for sharing her life story and yours with us here on ActiveRain I enjoyed reading it very, very much. 

Feb 19, 2018 09:53 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Patricia Feager --I never thought I'd be a cat person, but here I am.  They did find me and each one is a love in their own right.  Will have to write a little something about the rest of them soon.

Feb 19, 2018 05:17 PM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Chris Ann, our pets are the best and can truly teach us so much!

Feb 21, 2018 05:09 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

They make every day more special, don't they Carla Freund .

Feb 21, 2018 11:58 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Oh my goodness, Chris... how ever did I miss this post about Minx! I've had so many cats in my life and can't what my life would have been like without them.

Feb 27, 2018 04:36 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Nina Hollander --I'm easy to miss these days.  Not posting as regularly.  Glad you found this one. 

Feb 27, 2018 03:45 PM