Cinder liked to nap in an antique cradle with a handmade quilt and dolls
Cinder Nixon – Canton, Ohio
Cinder Nixon was a barn cat, born just outside of Canton, Ohio. She was adopted into the Nixon family as a small, lonely kitten—the last of her litter to find a home. Humble beginnings aside, she quickly became the queen of the Nixon household.
She would have likely been considered a Domestic Longhair, but at home, she was just their beautiful mixed-breed kitten.
Her name, Cinder, came from her light grey coloring and her resemblance to the ashes in the hearth. In the 14+ years that she was part of the family, one extended family member never managed to get her name quite right, and always called her “Cinders.” And though her name was not meant to draw comparisons to the Cinderella story, it was certainly applicable. Like Cinderella, Cinder Nixon went from an unkempt birthplace where she was largely overlooked, to a warm and loving home in Canton where she (liked to think that she) was in charge, and ruled as queen over her humans.
However, she wasn’t always a benevolent ruler. Never a particularly social cat, she had little to do with visitors and strangers. After an initial sniffing, she would often disappear into one of her many hiding places until all was quiet again. She also was not the type of cat who liked to held or even petted too much. It was a running joke that you could pet her two times, but when you went in for a third try, your fingers would get nipped. She was never vicious, but with a gentle touch of her teeth, the queen made it clear that you were dismissed.
She was a finicky eater with special dietary needs that made purchasing food a bit of an adventure. Once a food was found that met the necessary requirements, it then had to meet with Queen Cinder’s approval. Just to keep her “subjects” on their toes, she would, for no discernable reason, simply stop eating a flavor that been fine only days before.
Mealtimes were not the only adventures Cinder Nixon liked to embark upon in her Canton, Ohio home. One such adventure is a favorite memory, and oft recounted story. Never an overly vocal cat, if the queen was calling, there was usually a reason. One evening, she could be heard meowing from all over the house. Her family scrambled about, checking in closets and under beds, and any other spot they could conceive of, but still could not find her. Pinpointing her location was made more difficult by the fact that her cries seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. After much searching, it was finally determined that she had somehow managed to work her way through a tiny opening in the basement and into the furnace ducts. After figuring out which register she was nearest, the cover was removed, and with a bit of prodding and pulling, she was successfully rescued. She was covered in so many dust-bunnies that it was difficult to tell the difference between the dust and her grey fur. It was definitely not one of the queen’s most regal moments.
Cinder ruled over the Nixon household in Canton, which included her human mother, father, brother, and sister, for over fourteen years. As her age progressed, so did her digestive issues, and eventually her kidneys began to fail. Cinder Nixon lived a long life filled with love, and passed away in 2004. She is lovingly remembered for her somewhat grumpy, but always regal demeanor. Long lives the queen in the hearts of those who knew her best.