Long-lived cat Kuzya from Minsk

On December 24, 1993, I went to a store in Moscow to buy gifts. And I heard how the woman who takes the bags persuaded someone to pick up the kitten: “Well, look, he is so small, he already goes to the tray. And such a chocolate! This word “chocolate” attracted me … although I never thought that I would have a cat.

I picked him up and brought him from Moscow. An interesting incident happened on the train. When I left the compartment at night, the kitten ran away. I began to look for him in all compartments. A high-ranking clergyman rode in the same car, and when I knocked, he got out and carried my kitten out in the palm of his hand. “He,” he says, “ran to me for a reason. Actually, we don’t bless animals, but since he himself came running … ”- and read a prayer over the kitten, crossed it and gave it to me. Kuzma was like a family member to us. Children grew up with him, granddaughter is growing. He is very dear to us. And has been living with us for 24 years. All the years we wanted to know what breed he was. But they were never able to determine exactly. In all external signs, it is similar to the Havana Brown breed. We searched the Internet and found all the signs in him. Most importantly, he was supposed to have a brown mustache. And they are really brown! But, unfortunately, there are no specialists in this breed in Minsk. And when I called one elite club, they answered me: “What’s the difference? Do you love him the way he is? I answered – of course! After that, all searches ceased. For us, it is dear the way it is. Many do not believe that a cat can live that long. Sometimes we buy something for him and say: “Us for an old cat.” “How old?” – they ask. – 24 years old … – and the sellers do not even know what to say.  Kuzya is very calm and intelligent, he never scratched anything, did not tear with his teeth. At the same time, he is proud: if he does not like food, he will sit hungry for a day, two, four … but if there is an open bag of food nearby, he will never get into it. He really needs communication. In the morning I ask: — Kuzya, how are you? And he answers: “Meow!” He talks in his own way, and it is very interesting to communicate with him. He escorts and meets everyone, and is always interested in how the day went. We hope that he will delight us with his company for a long time to come.