Our cat, Clementine, passed away this weekend, just shy of her seventeenth birthday.
While I haven't shared much about her on the Brainzooming blog, I discovered over the weekend how many people she had touched as the only bona fide social media celebrity at The Brainzooming Group.
Clementine was a beautiful and unique looking cat. She resembled the original Gremlin in the movie of the same name. After our last "my cat" passed away in 2010, Clementine attached to me. She was the first one I'd typically see in the morning. She hung out with me when I got ready each day. She'd be in the home office as soon as I was, jumping up on the desk to see what was going on, and typically to take a nap. During my last milestone birthday, Clementine was the only one in the house who spent time with me. She frequently provided the only greeting I'd receive when coming home, especially when it was a late flight returning from a business trip.
The Director of Enthusiasm
One day, I think it was on Twitter, I posted something about Clementine being in the middle of things on my desk. Someone (I SO wish I could remember the person), said it was obvious Clementine was our "Director of Enthusiasm." Trust me, I am not the kind to think of giving a cat a title. But I started referring to Clementine as the Director of Enthusiasm (or "DOE") on Facebook when posting funny pictures of her; she became a mini-celebrity. Clementine was not in Grumpy Cat's league (although people thought she had a grumpy look despite being anything but grumpy). Her social media presence, however, added a lighter and more personable stream of content to our brand. People seemed to be interested in her; when I went to events, I can't tell you how many questions I'd receive asking how the Director of Enthusiasm was doing.
Heck, Karen Harrison of FullyFeline.com even requested that Clementine write a blog post about her life as an executive cat. Karen also ran a tribute to Clementine on the very popular Fully Feline Facebook page on Sunday.
Taking a Blog Break
Because of all the time she spent with me the last few years, her passing has hit me hard.
The weekend is usually my main blogging time. Quite honestly, I was NOT in a mood for writing this weekend. I wasn't in a mood for doing much of anything other than reading the incredible comments on Facebook about how much Clementine meant to people. Those comments created both incredible joy and many tears. I guess it's all part of working through the emotions.
Anyway, that break from writing this weekend means a blog hiatus this week. I'll be at a conference through Friday, concentrating on learning, so not trying to get the blog written will provide focus. It will also offer an opportunity to reflect and get to a happier place since for the foreseeable future, I'll have to generate my own enthusiasm.
Because while The Brainzooming Group might have a DOCAP (Director of Creativity and Purring) in the future, there will never be another Director of Enthusiasm. – Mike Brown
