Monique's Memorial

We recently lost a good friend, late night companion, hard working mouser and mother and grandmother to most of our farm cats. This will not tell all of her story, there are more pictures to find and memories to recall, but this will give a glimpse of the Grande Dame's life.

When the white little ball of fur showed up

at our farm she needed a name.

Her proper name was choosen to be Monique,

but in the fashion of all Vick pets she went through a

series of name changes,

some recognized by the specific owner, Michelle,

and others were contraband names that

others in the household knew her as:

Monique

Moni

Moni Boni

Benni

But for good measure there were always those nicknames

inspired by a moment in time:

Sugar Plum Fairy

Easter Lily

Hairy Dairy

Bruwn Bruwn

Benn Head

Smoochie Pants

Everywhere you looked there was a white furry ball, sleeping in your favorite chair, or on your black coat, or on your white face towels. And when she got up she left her calling card. Oh to wipe one's face with white fur once again.

Her early life was spent mostly out-of-doors with the multitudes of barn cats. Some stayed, some left for other homes, but none were as remarkable as Benni.

Ms. Monique was not above staking out

the bird feeder for a victim.

Then there was her Show career.

An inspiring and classic cat.

But her favorite career was overlooking farm duties

and preening for no other reason than to look beautiful.