Alexei's cats: Zubrovka & Kotka

[Victory_L]

   The name (Zubrovka) isn"t sticking. Alexei called him Kotika. The dogs(Ortipo, Joj, Jimmi,) - in Tobolsk. The cats - remain in Tsarskoe Selo. Alexei weep.                                          http://www.dog.ru/index.php3?mode=1&id=415036

[nena]

Thank you, Victory_L, for link and explaining. Poor Aleksei.

[Sarushka]

Zubrovka and Kotika were two different cats, as this letter shows:

My darling, own, sweet dear Mama,
It's warm. Tomorrow I will get up. My salary! [his allowance] I beg you!!!!! There's nothing to eattttt! I am also unlucky at nain jaune. So what!!! I shall soon start selling my clothes, books and will finally die of hunger. We all kiss your hand!! I kiss you many times. Greetings from Joy and Kotka, Toad and Zubrovka. May God keep you!! Alexei."
[8 November 1916]



I'm still looking for the specifics on the cats being left behind in 1917...

[Victory_L]

 Please, where it is possible this letter? Alexei in diary: 9 ноября 1916    Наконец-то мне разрешено встать. Поднялся рано и пил кофе (ячменный) за общим столом. Написал письмо Мама. Катался на моторе до вокзала и обратно, захватив с собой Джоя и в первый раз Котьку. Тает и гололедица такая, что все падают наземь. Завтракал со всеми. Узнал, что скончался Император Франц Иосиф. После завтрака отдыхал, играл и занимался. За обедом в первый раз ел борщ, приготовленный по образцу конвойного. В 7 1/2 ч. был уже в постели и слушал чтение Сига. Папа велел выдать пособие одной бедной учительнице (300 р.).

[Sarushka]

Helen Rappaport kindly looked up the source for what happened to the IF's cats when the family left for Tobolsk in 1917. This comes from Skorbnyi Angel, by Chebotareva. Relevant info on the bottom half of page 589:



Helen also gave me a very quick description of the text: Cheb talks about the palace after they have gone away to Tobolsk.  Dead, empty, all the doors locked ‘and only, like shadows, three cats’.  They gave them away. Madame Voiekova’s present was given back to her (I think - bit unclear) and arrangements made for the other two.  (page 589).

I'm away from my Russian/Romanov books until Saturday, otherwise I'd attempt a translation myself....

[Sarushka]

Please, where it is possible this letter?

I found it quoted on a thread elsewhere on the forum. No source was given. When I get home this weekend I'll look through my books. My best guess would be A Lifelong Passion or Tsesarevich.

[Victory_L]

Thank you, Sarushka! I"m difficulty  written english, sorry! Alexei :19 октября  1916     До приезда в Ц[арское] С [ело] играли в «Naine Jaune». Приехали в 3 1/2 ч. Нас встретили Мама, сестры и др. Катался в саду и заехал к Коле. Завтракал со своими, играл и познакомил Котьку с Ортипо. Лег рано.   Kotika is novice in Tsarskoe Selo. And: 5 ноября  Со вчерашнего дня болей нет. Остаюсь пока еще в постели. П. В. П., Ж., Сиг постоянно у меня. До завтрака написал письмо Мама. День провел как вчера: играл в морскую игру и в карты, слушал французское и английское чтение. П. В. П. прочел мне о подвигах телефониста Алексея Макухи. Джой и Котька постоянно при мне. Приехал А. А. Мордвинов  I like talk wiht you! Together seek good ! :-)

[Victory_L]

Most probably Kotika crop up in Stavka. We know cat-present in Stavka - General Voejkov. What withdrawal?:-)

[Michael HR]

Thank you. It is good to know that they were looked after when the family left. Will you thank Helen for me for the time she took to look this up. 

Helen Rappaport kindly looked up the source for what happened to the IF's cats when the family left for Tobolsk in 1917. This comes from Skorbnyi Angel, by Chebotareva. Relevant info on the bottom half of page 589:



Helen also gave me a very quick description of the text: Cheb talks about the palace after they have gone away to Tobolsk.  Dead, empty, all the doors locked ‘and only, like shadows, three cats’.  They gave them away. Madame Voiekova’s present was given back to her (I think - bit unclear) and arrangements made for the other two.  (page 589).

I'm away from my Russian/Romanov books until Saturday, otherwise I'd attempt a translation myself....

[nena]

I read Voeikov's memories, and true is , Count gave cat as present to Heir. Boy was amazed. I'll try to find quote in book. I think there is chapter  Heir's cat. 

[Victory_L]

 Anna Virubova: …У Алексея Николаевича был спаниель Рой и большой кот, подаренный генералом Воейковым. Кот этот спал на его кровати…». Кот по разным источникам был огромным, пушистым, рыжим, специально выведенный так, чтобы он не выпускал когти (возможно, когти просто обрезали или удалили, принимая во внимание уязвимость мальчика).

[Victory_L]

 Sharushka! Skorbnyi Angel - The is name Chebotarevas book or name collection authors?

[Sarushka]

Sorry Victory_L, I'm not certain I understand your question.

I only have copies of a small portion of Skorbniy Angel. I'm not sure what the rest of the book is like. You should ask matushka -- I believe she might have the entire book.

[Victory_L]

Thenk you. Skorbniy Angel - one author (Chebotareva)or many authors?

[nena]

Voeikov's memories.

The Heir's cat:
Emperor spent all aummer at GHQ, almost without break. Heir was all the time with him. Once, while we were talking about the animals, I said to Aleksei Nicholaievich that I have on my 'farm' same sort of cats, which are intersected sort of    marten and 'home' cats, and very remember to Siyam ( cats) ones. They were so beautiful: color like chocolate, with blue eyes, etc.......Heir asked me for one for bring to him.
I went to my farm for days. When I returned, I saw Aleksei Nicholaievich who awaited for me, with question: " But where is a cat?" I didn't brought it, and Heir was very dissatisfied with me, and criticized me because of this.

Next time, I gave him wicker with a cat. He was dithyrambic. To Sisters (OTMA) a letter was sent, and they wanted some too......

Sorry, I transalted from my book to English. Just wanted to say that Count Voyeykov gave to Aleksei a cat. In 1916. I think boy was happy without the end.