I don’t really know where to begin this post. If you haven’t gathered, it’s about my cat. I guess I’ll just begin, as everything does, at the beginning.
One snowy evening in the winter of 2008, I drove to a stranger’s nearby apartment in the middle of a snowstorm to pick up a cat. I can’t quite remember what made me decide I needed a cat – after all, I’d never had a pet before and I was still in college – but nevertheless I politely asked my roommates if they’d mind having a new friend around and soon stumbled across an ad for a free cat on the now long-defunct Facebook Marketplace.
Her name was “Kitty” and they were getting rid of her because they’d gotten a chihuahua; the two weren’t getting along.
I gathered her in a flimsy cardboard carrier printed to look like a house and she cried for the whole five-or-so minute ride to her new home. For a few weeks, she was very scared and hid under my bed all day most days. She was in a weird, new place with a weird, new, weirdly giddy lady.
But slowly, she warmed up, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
I named her Mony.
Mony has been my constant companion for eight years.
Through college graduation, and through jobs that seemed to nearly kill me.
Through a marriage that didn’t work out.
Through the times I was so depressed I could barely get myself out of bed in the morning.
Through an embarrassing number of relationships, good, bad, and ugly. (She lets me know if a man is a keeper or not.)
Through move after move, apartment after apartment, state after state.
When I’m sick or sad, Mony curls up into the space between my arm and my body and stays there until I feel better.
When I act like I’m too busy to pay attention to her, she (mostly) understands, and she loves me anyway.
She runs to the door to greet me when I get home, no matter how long I’ve been gone, and when I see her, everything feels okay again, whether or not it actually is.
I could never have imagined just how much I would love a ridiculous, 7 lb. creature. And for as long as I get to have this tiny, special angel in my life, I will be grateful.
Hannah says
Awww! Shes so cute! I know what thats like, my cat Kitty had been through almost my whole life with me. She was my sweetheart for sure. I’m sad she passed but shes definitely on to greater things.
Maria Jose Ovalle says
What is the life span of a cat? I have no idea, but happy b-day to your furry friend!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Mony is so cute and adorable! Happy Happy Birthday Mony!
Allan Liwanag says
I’ve always loved cat. I wish I could get one for my daughter but she’s allergic to cats.
lauren says
Oh my goodness she’s so cute! I have a cat, and couldn’t imagine not having him.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I am a total cat person. She’s a pretty girl! Happy birthday to your fur baby!
bebek kıyafeti says
soo cutee..
Jennifer L. } Modern Chic says
This truly just made my day! I feel the same way about my Anabelle (maltese mix). They’re family and give such wonderful love.
nicol says
so adorable! happy birthday to her. hope you two have many more memories together
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
Beautiful kitty! Cats are so wonderful. We ave two, Jinx and Josie, and they always put a smile on our faces.
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Lorraine says
Hope you had a great birthday Mony! You’re super lucky to have a companion like that.
Rachel says
Aww this was such a beautiful post and happy birthday Monty x
WhatLauraLoves says
Aw what a beautiful post. It is amazing how quickly animals become part of our family. I couldn’t be without our Bichon Frise! xxx
adriana says
Aww this is so sweet! What an adorable post 🙂 happy birthday to Mony!
Cara (@StylishGeek) says
Happy Birthday Mony! Thank you for sharing your story with us. How beautiful your relationship is! I am the same with my cats. They are absolutely the loves of our family. Can’t imagine how we would be without them!
Lily Daily says
Such a sweet post. Pets are really angels in disguise and they seem to love you unconditionally. Happy birthday Mony!
Debra says
Aww, what a great relationship! Happy birthday Mony and many more…..
Laura H says
What a beautiful relationship 🙂 It must be nice to have a furry friend to accompany you through everything. Pets will always love you!
Kalliopi Sakellariou says
This is so cute. I have a little dog but when I moved to Wales I left him back home. my only concern is how to bring him here with me. Unfortunately I cannot find an apartment here that is pet friendly.
Chanelle says
It is so hard finding pet-friendly apartments! Too bad landlords can’t see what we see 🙂
Vidya Sudarsan says
Happy birthday Mony! I love the way you express your love for your kitty here. She is quite fortunate and so are you!
Ron Leyba says
Happy Birthday Mony! A truly wonderful, loyal and true friend/companion.
Ana De- Jesus says
No joke this literally brought tears to my eyes, Mony is more than just a cat but a best friend too. Just look at the smile she is giving you in the selfie where you are cuddling her.
Chanelle says
She is such a sweetie 🙂 🙂
Sabine - so far so Sabine says
Such a sweet cat. I have two dogs. These animals can really become your bestie. I couldn’t live without my two best friends anymore. They are my little fur babies. As I can see, that cat is too!
jamie says
You kitty is so pretty! We’re mid-move right now, but we’ve already talked about and agreed on getting a cat as soon as we’re settled in our new place.
Nikki says
My baby also is ten years old, Mony is really cute and she’s look so happy with you.
Rebecca Swenor says
She is indeed a beautiful cat and Happy Birthday to her. My sister’s cat just passed a few days ago. She was the only talking cat I knew. I have always loved cats but my kids are allergic so I have a dog. Pets are for sure our best friends. Thanks for sharing you gorgeous lil princess.
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy says
She’s beautiful. I think I would love having a cat, but my allergies to them are so bad I can’t. I’m so glad you have a great companion.
Emma Bee (@Emmabuzzybee) says
aww bless them:) Cats make me sneeze, but funnily enough my guinea piggles dont, I love my piggles.
Happy birthday kitty!
Kita says
Happy Birthday to your baby kitty. I hope she enjoyed her special day and new fun treats and toys.
Melanie Edjourian says
What a cutie Mony is, Happy Birthday. I miss my cats, one lived to about 20 years old.
Hannah says
Happy Birthday Mony!! This makes me want to get a cat even more – so cute!
Melissa Bernardo says
Happy Birthday cute kitty! Love this post!
Tanya Brannan says
Happy Birthday Mony!! I have 6 cats so I know exactly how it feels 🙂 x
Kiwi says
Happy 10th birthday to Mony! I can feel the bond through this post…I thought you were gonna tell me you had a real 10 year old kid you were hiding from us!
Chanelle says
Now that would be quite a twist!
kristin says
So very cute, happy birthday!!! I have an aunt that just loves her cats and they’re pretty cool, I’ve never had one but really want to.
Krista says
What a cute kitty! My Socks turned 11 in March. She was born under my bed when I was a senior in high school, and I can’t imagine life without her. Here’s to many more years with your best bud!
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
Oh bless! One of my mums cats lived until 23 years old – you’re young yet lovely puss! H x
Jenna Von says
Happy Birthday Mony! I hope you spend plenty more years keeping your human happy 🙂
Such a lovely post 🙂
Jenna Von x
Dani says
She s cute, I have a cat myself and I feel identified with the relationship you have with her. I wish you the best for both of you!
tp keane says
awe, so cute. Happy birthday. I used to have a couple of cats and I loved them so much.
Ryan Escat says
She’s really cute! Happy Birthday Mony, you’re awesome please take care your mom lol.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Your cat is beautiful! Although I never tried to have cats for pets, I still think they are pretty animals. And a whole lot quiet than dogs. BTW, Happy birthday to her!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a cutie! Happy Birthday Mony! My dog Rhett is coming up on 15 in August and he has been through SOOOO much with me. Basically my entire adult life. They are so special.
Merissa says
How sweet, I’ve always thought that cats can be the best companions. Happy Birthday to your friend!
Elizabeth says
Aww Happy Birthday Mony! A home isn’t a home without a cat, imho! 🙂
victoria says
Wow, how cute is this I miss having a cats. Thanks for sharing this with us
Sara says
Awww so cute! Happy birthday Mony! Cats are great companions, I babysat a cat named Boudini once and he was the sweetest with his tongue always out. He, however, did not understand when I couldn’t pay attention to him.
Ora Lee Gurr says
Adopting a cat is a big step. Mony is lucky to have your for a mom. The pictures show how happy she is and how much she cares for you. Happy birthday, Mony, and many more.
Elayne Frank says
What a blessing to have your cat so long! I’m sure you have brought just as much joy to her life as she has to yours.
Argell Sednaoui says
Mony seems to be very cute. I’m more a dog person but cats are also adorable. Congratulations to Mony and you!
Brittany says
Aww how cute! I love cats. They are the best snugglers!
Lisa Joy Thompson says
Happy Birthday Mony! It’s great that you have a cat that is so special to you! Sounds like you take great care of each other! 🙂
KatR says
Happy birthday, Moni! I am such a HUGE cat lover! My husband and I have 3 fur babies. Since the kids are grown and gone, they are our “children” now. I can’t imagine my life without our little fur faces!! I am so glad that you and Mony found each other! It was meant to be. 🙂
Bonnie @wemake7 says
Awww. Happy Birthday Mony. =) You can tell your cat loves you so much. =)
Elizabeth O. says
That’s such a sweet message for such a cuddly baby! Happy 10th birthday to her and I hope you have more years together. It’s nice to have a companion like Mony. I’m sure you guys have a lot of memories together, you’ve been through so much!
Cindy Ingalls says
Happy Bday Mony. Having a pet is the best thing. It’s so nice to have a furry companion to come home to, and to see you through life’s ups and downs.
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
Happy 10 years! Your Mony’s skill to detect a keeper is something that I must acquire myself, haha.
Jeanine says
Aw so cute! Our oldest cat was 7 when she passed away, I wish she was with us longer. I am such a huge pet lover. Happy Birthday to your fur baby!
Nicole Escat says
Mony is really cute, I wish I also had a baby like yours. Happy Birthday to her 🙂
Neely (@Neelykins) says
IM terribly allergic to cats but yours is so cute! I wish I could have one!
Fashion and Style Police says
Happy Birthday Mony. Your cat baby is so cute. Bless.
Tracey says
So funny! I read the title and thought, I didn’t know she had kids. From one fur mom to another, I get ya! Pets are amazing creatures and become part of the family.
NAZMA IQBAL says
oh mony is so cute.Happy birthday mony.i would love to have a cat.Well hope so..may be one day !
wendy says
Happy Birthday for your baby! Awesome pictures of you and Kitty!
Terri Beavers says
Mony is really beautiful and I’m sure a wonderful companion. I love my pets as well, they are more family to me than some of my family is lol. Happy Birthday Mony.
Sarah says
Happy 10th birthday to your baby! What an adorable kitty, looks super soft!
Kira C says
I love cats! I had two but unfortunately one of them didn’t make it to his 7th birthday! We still have my little girl though, Tequi, and I love her to bits! 7 in June!
Mimi Green says
Awww that is really sweet. Happy Birthday to Mony-bear; I love the bond you guys have. I hope to have that with our future pet.
Amanda says
Awww, what a sweet kitty! Happy birthday!
StressedMum says
What a lovely post, any pet owner can relate to this, my cat is over 20 years old now, she is an old lady never been one for a cuddle but loves attention x
maria @closeothome says
Great shot of the black and white. Happy birthday to your cat.
Karissa says
This touches my heart. My dog means the world to me, just like your cat baby does too! xoxoxo
Rosana @ Hot&CHilli Food and Travel Blog says
sounds like a great cat, very cute. R
Freya Farrington says
Aww your cat is adorable, she reminds me of a friends cat who also loved drinking from the sink!
Carrie says
Happy Birthday!! Ten years is a long time for a pet to become part of your family! Looks like you love them very much!
laura londergan says
wow 10 years – that’s great! Pets are the best and can turn any bad day into a good one just like that! 😉
Laura Funk says
Pets are our babies and I think this post is so sweet
Amy Scott says
Oh this made me well up! The love for a pet is incredibly hard to portray but you did it perfectly. Happy Birthday Mony 🙂
Pamela Gurganus says
What a beautiful post! It brought tears to my eyes. As a fellow fur-mom, my cat is not my pet, but my child, my family. Happy birthday Mony! I wish you many more years of love, happiness and health! 🙂
Sarah Bailey says
It is so lovely isn’t it – it made me smile and was so so sweet. x
Sarah Bailey says
Happy Birthday Mony-bear, what an absolute cutie she is, there is nothing like a loving pet. x
Scott says
Pets are so wonderful. Usually so forgiving and loving. I can’t imagine a household without one!
Claudia Krusch says
My baby is only one and I already love her to pieces! She’s not a friendly cat, but she follows me everywhere!
Janeane Davis says
It is sweet that you have such a loving and long-lasting relationship with your cat.
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
Happy 10th Birthday, Mony!! I know that pets are members of the family and should be treated as such. <3
Imogen Clegg says
Aww Mony is so cute! I feel like animals are always great friends. I grew up with 3 cats and 4 kittens in my house, as well as 2 dogs and a rabbit (it was like a zoo!) Unfortunately we don’t have cats any more, but I plan on getting one in a few years time 🙂
Angelic Sinova says
Happy birthday Mony! Aren’t pets the BEST? My dog Loki turned one a few months ago (his birthday is Valentine’s Day) and this month (May) marks one year since I adopted him <3
Monica says
This is pure sweetness! You can tell that she is so loved and lives a very happy life! Happiest birthday darling and thanks for making me smile today. 🙂
Alli Smith says
What a heart-felt, beautiful story! It’s so good to know that your pet loves you unconditionally in good times and bad. Happy Birthday, Mony! She’s a doll!
Patrice M Foster says
Monty looks like a peaceful cat. Happy birthday.My favorite pets are dogs but I understand and respect other pet owner preference…Great images.
Milena says
Happy B-day Mony! I couldn’t imagine life without my cat!
Rosey says
Happy Birthday to your Mony. We have an adult cat we acquired. He has one eye. Poor guy has had a hard life, I guess. He’s only been here since Nov, but it’s like he’s been a part of the family forever. He’s all warmed up now too, to family life (and very spoiled). 🙂
subhadrika sen says
Happy Birthday to your baby. i love pets myself – cats , dogs, hamsters anyone- but have not been able to keep any till date except a fish. 😛
Rhian Westbury says
Such an adorable cat, so cute! I wish I could have a cat but it isn’t possible in my flat x
lisa prince says
you remind me of my sister she has dogs though instead and they are her babies x
Dawn Lopez says
I can totally understand how you feel since I have my own furry cat friend. Happy birthday to your Mony. She is so adorable!
Carol Bryant says
YAY for your beautiful baby. 10 is the new 5 they say and your cat is gorgeous.
Sarah says
Happy Birthday! What a very cute cat. Here’s to many more years to come!!
Censie Sawyer says
Ah! So cute!! I do think Cats have a special aura that keeps us sane. They always know when we need them.
Lisa Favre says
Happy birthday to your baby! She is so beautiful and I adore how much love she’s giving you in that second to last picture! Memory captured 🙂
Lisa Favre
http://marblecrumbs.com
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide says
Happy bday, Mony!!!! I love that pets are such a bond, that one piece of us we can always reach back to, even when everything else is changing. <3
Lisa Bristol says
Happy Birthday Mony! Cats are great pets. I hope Mony got a special treat for his birthday.
Ann Bacciaglia says
Mony is such a cutie pie. It is so nice to have a furbaby you can rely on to make you feel better.
Jenn says
So can I first say how much I despise people who dump the “old” pet in favor of the “new”? But in this case, it worked out for you and especially for Mony – you two sound like you have an amazing bond.
FYI, I’m a crazy cat lady with nine currently… our tenth, Blueboy, would have been 16 years old this month. He had to be put to sleep on March 30th. He was nearly 16 and I’m turning 32 in June, so you can do the math…I spent half of my life with that cat. I’ll miss him forever.
Anyway, back to you and to Mony: Happy 10th Birthday! I wish her many more healthy years with you.
Kathy says
Happy birthday to your cat! I have two cats of my own and they’re actually brothers. They look so much alike too. I absolutely love cats and all kinds of animals.
Aimee Smith says
Aww Happy birthday Mony! Those furry babies take up such a special place in our hearts.
Bri says
Happy Birthday!! I love my cats so much too. One is having a birthday soon and fresh salmon will be on the menu.
Helene Cohen Bludman says
As the mom of two dogs and a cat, I totally understand the love you have for your sweet Mony. Our pets bring so much happiness into our lives.
Our Ordinary Life says
I love my dog just like a child. It’s amazing how they just come into our lives and leave paw prints all over our hearts 🙂
Tamara says
Aww.. double digits! That is so sweet, sad and true. They’re with us through everything. I know how it is to be so sad you can’t get out of bed, and your pets are so there for you.
Rebecca Bryant says
Aw isn’t it amazing how they creep into our hearts without us even noticing till it’s too late. Our babies are so spoiled they are never allowed to leave.
Jennifer says
Your cat is so pretty! I absolutely love cats. I WISH I could have one, but they make me break out into the most horrible hives ever.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Awww, happy birthday Mony! Sounds like you two have been through a lot over the years.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
Happy birthday, Mony! Sounds like you and her have been through so many life’s events together. We have a cat named Oscar and he is one adorable cat too! 🙂
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I am wicked allergic to cats, so we have a dog – his name is milo.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
aww, that’s not good… we have a hypoallergenic cat (Siberian breed) and I’m slightly allergic to hair and dust but so far, I’m doing good around our Oscar 😉