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.