I used to volunteer at a small local cat shelter called Little Flower Rescue. I had actually met another cat, Sylvia, whom I fell in love with. She was a tortie with three legs that really needed a home. I was in the process of moving into my first apartment and told the shelter owner that I was going to be taking Sylvia with me.

The owner then recommended that I also take a look at this one cat, Minnie, who “would give anything to move into a loving home.” I wasn’t sure about adopting two cats, but I was open to meeting her.

The owner took me outside and called out for Minnie. It was a bit like a movie. We were surrounded by thick brush and trees. I saw a rustling, some loud chirps, and out popped this furball with a clipped ear (TNR rescue), who climbed a fence, leaped down, and trotted over. She was purring and rubbed against me. She was very vocal!

I had no chance.

I then adopted both Minnie and Sylvia. Sylvia passed away only two years later, but we all made some great memories. Minnie has been with me ever since.

From Rescue Cat to Internet Star

I am Nick Filippou, the creator behind @iizcat, which includes goofy cat comics inspired by my real-life TNR rescue cat, Minnie. That’s why she has a clipped ear. She is a never-ending inspiration and content.

She is also featured on my YouTube channel and all of my social media platforms.

As soon as I adopted Minnie and brought her home, she had a very sweet but hilarious DIVA personality. I think that’s just what cats are. Yin and Yang of cute zen mixed with mischievous chaos.

I actually started a website first, iizcat.com, which originally shared just happy cat videos, rescue stories, and memes. When I first adopted Minnie from the shelter I volunteered at in Baltimore City, I was filming her like any other cat parent. She quickly filled all the storage on my phone with her pictures and videos.

I decided to share some on YouTube; I believe it was the same year I adopted her. I then made a video called “Ya Hungry?” which really took off, and my platform has been growing ever since.

How the Comics Began

Comics came after.

I used to have this little whiteboard on my refrigerator in my apartment. I would doodle funny cat comics about Minnie to make my then-girlfriend (now wife) laugh. She told me I should make more comics and share them.

It’s been a really fun and creative journey ever since.

I started with drawing on notepads and scanning them into the computer to upload. I then graduated to an iPad using Procreate, which has been helpful.

Fun fact: I’m colorblind! My wife usually will help “correct” my color choices when they are really off the wall.

Writing books was always a lifelong dream of mine. My mom is a librarian, so I spent many summers with her at the library and joined in her reading programs. I have always had a love for storytelling, and like the cliché saying, “write what you know,” I write about my best fur friend Minnie.

Thinking Like a Cat

The comics are always inspired by Minnie.

In my brain, I like to imagine what Minnie is thinking during certain events or watching her day to day. I add in a goofy voice in my head and out it comes in a comic.

It’s mostly inspired by Minnie and my day-to-day life with her. In those, I like to pretend and voice over in my head what Minnie is thinking in certain moments.

I think the “giving a cat a pill” comic went viral because of how relatable it is. Cats think for themselves. That’s why it feels so special when a cat chooses you!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZujIYWkbWX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

But the flip side is when you want the cat to do something, like take a pill, when they clearly don’t want to. Well, then it becomes a battle like in that comic I wrote. The dark magic spells may have been exaggerated, but I sensed feline sorcery.

I also wanted my comics to be authentic, which is why Minnie always has her tipped ear. It’s always a great conversation starter about why she has it and gives me an opportunity to talk about TNR and rescue cats.

Life With Minnie, Dany the Boxer, and a Tiny Human

Minnie runs the house even though Dany is much larger than her.

I do feel very grateful that the two get along great. We did set out on very specific instructions when we first introduced them. Training and lots of treats were involved. Those two have been great together. I catch them napping and snuggling on the couch almost every day.

Minnie can be a bit bossy, but Dany’s personality meshes well with hers.

When my wife and I welcomed our daughter, Minnie loved and bonded with her since day one. She sleeps in her room and follows her around. Her intelligence really surprises me on how Minnie can be rougher with the dog, like smacks to Dany’s face, but she is much more gentle and patient with my daughter (as is Dany).

It’s like they both know and recognize this is a little member of the family that they too must protect and look out for.

A Typical Day With Minnie

A typical day starts with Minnie walking on my face, meowing loudly for me to get her breakfast. She also gets the dog riled up for breakfast, so both of them are pawing at my face.

After breakfast, Minnie and Dany both go back to bed lol.

Minnie is basically my shadow and usually is with me while I work remotely downstairs, listening to my Teams calls and demanding attention at the most inconvenient times, like when I am giving a presentation.

She will start letting me know an hour before dinner that dinner is approaching. She does this by meowing and pacing around me until dinner time. Dany sometimes joins in and howls.

After dinner, there are usually more naps, play time, and walks with Dany. Both Minnie and Dany are very passionate about bedtime and won’t go to bed without me.

Minnie will meow and paw at me to tell me it’s time to come to bed, where she then lays across my chest while Dany hugs our feet.

Minnie then has her fun at night playing on the bed, which I have caught on my Blink indoor camera. No wonder she naps so much when she’s partying all night!

The Real Side of Pet Ownership

Some of the biggest challenges are like taking care of any family member, especially when they are sick.

Minnie once had really bad kidney stones back at our apartment. She has since been on a medicated wet food diet, so luckily, that has never reoccurred. The poor thing had surgery and pain medication.

I then accidentally gave her too large a dose of that pain medication, which led to me calling poison control late at night and being told to keep her up all night so she wouldn’t fall asleep.

Have you ever had to try to keep a mischievous cat up all night while she was “high” on pain meds?

It was quite a stressful night, but we got through it.

These pets are totally dependent on you. It’s like a precursor to having a child. They also keep you on your toes, and you learn to roll with the ups and the downs as they come.

My pets have taught me to be more present and in the moment. They are only in our lives for a short period of time.

I adopted Minnie as this young TNR rescue who had never been inside a home, and I blinked, and now she snuggles up with my daughter when we read her bedtime stories.

Building a Community

It’s been really fun to see the wide variety of fans from all ages, backgrounds, countries, and walks of life. As they say, cats rule the internet. It’s something that many people can bond over.

I really enjoy the little moments people share of their own cats and stories that Minnie reminded them of. It brings tiny moments of happiness and gratitude, which is really, really cool to see.

That makes me happy—to see other people happy or laugh over something I created inspired by Minnie.

I am also a big believer in supporting local rescues, as they are the boots on the ground giving pets and animals in need the care and love they deserve. It doesn’t always have to be financial. Volunteering and donating to shelters keeps so many rescues afloat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Czq-ePuOl17/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Final Thoughts

It’s not your whole life, but it is your pet’s whole life.

It is a full-time commitment, but worth it when you have that bond.

For anyone thinking about creating content, my advice is always very simple: just get started. Create and see what sticks. You learn as you go.

My content evolved over the years, and it’s been really fun.

I think if, at your core, you create because you enjoy it, then that keeps you going. The monetary pieces will fall into place in time, but you should do this because you enjoy it.

And if you’re wondering who’s really in charge around here?

Minnie is always in charge.

Follow and Connect With Minnie and Nick

Instagram: instagram.com/iizcat
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@officialiizcat
Facebook: facebook.com/iizcat
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iizcat