Mimi in memoriam

It is with a very heavy heart that I write about our dear little Bichon, Mimi, who was peacefully put to sleep at home last Saturday, aged 13 years.

Mimi had a wonderfully rich and varied life.  Many who are reading this will remember her performances with me in the Show alongside her life companion, Blue, but she was above all a well loved family dog and grew up with children and grandchildren in Chester, taking to her showbusiness life at the weekends.

She travelled with Blue in the passenger seat of the lorry which I converted and extended to a full size bed across the whole cab.  Mimi always loved looking out of the window when we travelled and often reminded me that it was time for a break by doing her delightful Bichon wave, a trick she used to great advantage in the show routine with Blue.  In later life she sat down to do the wave but in her younger days would stand on her back legs, quite the ballerina.

During their show career the pair helped me devise a special routine of tricks, set to music which they both recognised instantly and would emerge, Mimi from her favourite spot under the stage and Blue from hers in the stage dressing room. They both knew the routine and the running order and would each wait for their turn to demonstrate their particular favourite trick, with Blue particularly keen to show her prowess but Mimi insisting on the time and space to show that she was top dog. 

Mimi loved meeting audiences and would quietly move around them as they watched the Show, sitting next to newly-found friends, particularly if they happened to be eating, and would share the occasional sausage or hamburger.  I tried to stop her doing this as she became a little overweight in her middle years, but she often found a way to surreptitiously sneak into the audience to see who had a titbit to offer.

Mimi had her share of misfortune with her health throughout her life but faced the challenges with fortitude and determination.  Even in the last few days of her life when she was obviously finding everything difficult she determinedly wanted to walk and be part of our pack.  She was a favourite of Peter the vet and would go easily with him and accept whatever injection or procedure was required.

Mimi loved her food and in particular was extremely fond of chicken.  She would devour home-cooked chicken, broccoli and gravy and then demand a follow up snack of her favourite biscuits. Remembering her little dance and bark to insist on something more brings more tears to my eyes.

Since their retirement from showbusiness, Hilary has looked after Mimi and Blue at home and has done everything for them, ensuring they had a happy and carefree last few years.  Since Mimi died, Blue has struggled a little to re-establish herself but is just beginning to accept that Mimi is no longer here.  After every walk she still runs round the house as if she was looking for her friend, often ending close to her grave in the garden as if to remind herself.

Mimi and Blue were lifelong companions, Blue meeting her for the first time when she was a puppy and Mimi was nearly two.  Mimi became a surrogate mother in a way and was always in charge, managing Blue as her faithful operations manager.  In later years Blue was there always to keep an eye on Mimi, protecting her on walks when Mimi was in her pram, or ready to bark and do her bidding if Mimi called.  Never once throughout their whole lives together was there one cross bark or growl between them.  It was remarkable how close they were.  And how close we all were.

The song she and Blue worked their routine to was ‘Love is the Sweetest Thing’, sung by Al Bowlly.  I haven’t dared listen to it since and it will be a long time before I can again, but Mimi was the sweetest and we were honoured by her life with us.

All the best from a road near you,

Mr Alexander