"My Cat" - The Tribute

Mitzi- "The Poop Cat"

* April 1, 1986 - December 16, 2006 *

The ninth life of Mitzi, "The Poop Cat", expired early in the morning hours of Saturday, December 16, 2006. She was cuddled and comforted by her companion Diane, and loyally watched over by the mournful poodle, Jasmine. She was twenty years old. (Over 100 in people years!)

Born on April Fools Day, 1986, in North Ogden, Utah, she was purchased by the Shreeve family in May of that same year when their four-year-old little girl, Amy, declared, “I want the baby girl kitty!” From then on Mitzi was a vital part of the Shreeve household- often believing that is was SHE who ran the show.

Mitzi quickly earned the nickname, “Poop Cat,” because of her defiant behavior and determination to do what SHE wanted. She acquired other “pet names” throughout her long life, including, “Mitz,” “Stinky Bum,” “Fat Cat,” “My Cat,”and more recently, “Old Lady.”

Mitzi always loved to sleep in the beds of the people she loved. One night, as Mitzi slept soundly in young Amy’s arms (like she so often did), she was rudely and abruptly awakened by immersion in spaghetti vomit. (For those of us who knew her well, this was a divine taste of her own medicine!!!)

Mitzi loved catnip, canned cat food, and being in charge. She loved doing whatever it was she knew that she SHOULDN'T do, and would often "plot" and "dart" out the front door whenever the doorbell rang. She LOVED the Great Outdoors.

Remembered fondly is the summer when she was “kicked outside” daily because her weight was becoming an issue. She would always come faithfully running home when Amy would stand on the front porch and yell, “Sttttttiiiiinnnnky Bum!” (No idea where THAT nickname came from)

She starred in several family Christmas nativities as the escaping Baby Jesus, and forcefully enjoyed playing the role of "baby" during many hours of “house” with Amy and Elizabeth. She looked fantastic in doll apparel, and often enjoyed confiscating stray Barbie clothes.

In August, 2001, Mitzi became a famous feline when her picture appeared on the front page of the Ogden Standard Examiner alongside her fellow refugee, Elizabeth. (Heather Drive Landslide-2001)

In November of 2001 she was diagnosed with liver cancer and the veterinarian suggested putting her out of her “misery.” We do not know if it was this cancer that eventually killed her, but she lived a good five years past the “expiration date” given by that stupid vet. Go Mitzi!

Mitzi was preceded in death by her fellow felines, Samuel- “Sam the Man,” Tiger-“Tigee”, the hamsters Wilber and Fred, Mrs. Tiggywinkle the hedgehog, Rigoletto, “Riggy” - a budgie, uncountable named and nameless fish, and many other kitties who adopted the Shreeve’s on Heather Drive.

She is survived by her “people,” Amy, Elizabeth, Diane, and Chad Shreeve. Her amigo of 12 years “Bobbie McMuff of the Heather,” and her playmate/greatest annoyance of the last six years, Jasmine, the poodle.

Mitzi, her cuddles and “love meows,” will be greatly missed. However, her shedding and barfing habit will not be.

Burial occurred in a lovely "casket" provided by The Department of Transportation, at the lot of her former home at 1423 East Heather Drive in Layton, Utah. Many thanks to Chad Shreeve for conducting the services.