Today Milly turns 17 - exclusive interview
by Finn Frode
Milly - First Cat of the House
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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