I am Miki, born on July 1st 2020 in the Banski Dolac quarter of Jelsa. My life had a very stormy start. I could hardly walk, I dragged myself around slowly and helplessly. I think my mother abandoned me, but I don't know for sure. Some tourists found me crossing the old street in Banski Dolac, a lady with three children. They took me home to their rented villa, where they had a small dog. When he saw me, the children's father was horrified and wanted the family to put me back straight away where they found me - I have to admit I was ugly and puny, so I was not an attractive sight. That evening they took me back to Banski Dolac, but left me near the first houses below the road. The night was cold, I had been born not long before and I had nothing to eat.
My saviours
The next day my life turned a full circle. In the morning while I tottered around, hungry and helpless, one woman pushed me away with a broom and another wanted to throw boiling water over me. But at that moment, luck was on my side. A small boy was looking out of a window and saw what was about to happen. He immediately shouted to his grandfatherr "Grandpa, quickly, we must save a tiny kitten!" And then the boy raced out of the yard himself and took me in his arms, I had a welcome feeling of wellbeing.
Happiness was mine from that day on. The next morning they took me to Dr. Prosper Vlahović, the vet in Stari Grad, who checked me over and gave me all the medicines I needed. Special 'mother's' milk as well.... I slept with my new family in the bedroom, I had my own warm basket just as if I was lying in the warmth next to my mother. They petted me every day and followed my every move. The young boy was always with me, I was given a little ball and plenty more besides.
A big change of scene
Then came the day when school was due to start again. For that reason, my boy's parents were against taking me to their other home. As they explained to him: "Daddy and mummy have to go to work, you'll be going to school, leaving the cat all alone at home." My saviour's answer was resolute: "I am not going anywhere without my cat". His decision was so firm, nothing could stop me travelling. Dr. Prosper issued me with a Croatian passport and we set off on our journey. It was very exciting, I was given a leash. When we were in Split waiting for the next part of our journey, I was calm, always held in my little saviour's arms. On the aeroplane I was in my carrier beside my family, so the journey was fine.
And then we got to Berlin...
Ah, that was something else...My young saviour's daddy was there to meet us and he looked at me rather critically. Although he didn't say anything, I could feel his disapproval. It's true, I wasn't very pretty then. Howver, it didn't take long for him to fall in love with me, and after that everything was wonderful. I got a villa as my new home, with several floors, and I could be wherever I wanted. I knew I was safe.
There are no limits or forbidden places in our abode. And I have to say I am very good, very well-behaved. I run after the ball when they play table tennis and there's plenty more fun for me to join in with.
As you can imagine, I am extremely well fed, with salmon, duck, chicken and more, too much to mention...Thanks to all the care I received, I have developed into a beautiful feline specimen.
Curing a private worry
But deep inside I was carrying a sadness. My family sensed this and one of them contacted a lady with a rare gift. She somehow could tell that I was grieving for my brother, wondering what had happened to him. And, miraculously, she managed to communicate to me that he was alive and doing well, just as I was. That cured my sadness. My happiness was complete.
This summer I was back in my birthplace. I'm excited, it's the aeroplane and the ferry again, and then here I am in Jelsa once more, happy and outdoors! I'm in the house and the yard, and they make sure I don't venture out of the premises. They take special care of me, because there are some people around who don't like cats.
To follow my further development, you can find me on Instagram: theoneandonlymiki
My hope
There is just one thing I wish for, that other lonely abandoned kittens find the good fortune that I have!
Translation: Vivian Grisogono, MA(Oxon), September 2025.
We at Eco Hvar are extremely grateful to Miki's family for sharing his uplifting story with us.
