It has been a big month for Alex Tétreault and his cat Minousse. Or should we say Minousse and her human Alex?
Earlier in June, Tétreault was named Greater Sudbury’s eighth poet laureate. Minousse now holds an honorary literary position of her own — she was recently voted “pet mayor” of the Panache French-language bookstore, which opened at Place des Arts in January.
In the next year, the community will get to know Her Worship Minousse, who will share her literary favourites, her thoughts and photos of her daily activities.
These snapshots will be visible on the bookstore's social network accounts (Facebook, Instagram) as well as in its newsletters.
A regal-looking portrait of Minousse (whose full name is Ariane “Minousse” Minouchkine) photoshopped into a renaissance-style dress will be displayed in the bookstore.
Sorry, cat lovers, so as not to stress Minousse out, she is not available for in-person appearances.
Both a fundraiser and a visibility campaign, the pet mayor program, launched in April 2024, attracted nine applications from animals in the region.
“It's super fun, super exciting,” said Tétreault. “It's a big year for our household or family. I think that, you know, she's going to be very helpful in promoting literature and literacy and poetry and all that sort of fun stuff to the city.
“I think we want to inspire people to read as much as possible and to support a local bookstore, because we haven't had a French bookstore in a very long time.”
So about Mayor Minousse — she’s 10 years old, and Tétreault has had her since she was a kitten. She’s extremely sweet and gentle, even giving kisses to a visiting reporter. Well, that is, until she’s not. Sometimes Minousse gets spicy and likes to playfight.
“I feel like this is this is her time,” said Tétreault, who lives with Minousse along with his partner, Nick (who actually loves the cat so much he takes medication to control his allergies to her).
“Yeah, she is a mature cat at this point. And, you know, people always go nuts for kittens. But no, you need experience when it comes to cats. I just want to share this cat as much as possible with the universe because she is a delight.”
Asked if Minousse is a literary cat, Tétreault said she does love to sit on his lap when he’s reading, although that might be more about getting cuddles. She also likes to nap on bookshelves.
While the pet mayor contest had a lot of great entries, Panache bookseller Chloé LaDuchesse said she’s glad Minousse was elected, as it means the bookstore will be able to accompany Tétreault and his feline friend in the first year of his term as poet laureate.
“Minousse is going to have some very exciting times, and by rebound, we’re going to have some too,” said LaDuchesse, who also happens to be a former Greater Sudbury poet laureate herself.
She said the pet mayor contest was a way to attract attention and raise some funds for the new bookstore. A besotted cat mom of two herself to Maní and August, LaDuchesse said it was also an excuse to look at cute photos of other people’s pets.
Since its opening, Panache bookstore has offered storytimes for kids, book clubs featuring books chosen by members of the Sudbury community, game nights, open mics and author meetings.
Located on the ground floor of Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury, the bookstore offers a selection of French-Canadian, Quebec and international books for adults, youth and French learners, as well as educational materials, games in French for the whole family and stationery items.
Learn more about the bookstore online here.
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. She also covers education and the arts scene. Animals & Pets is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
