In Marla We Trust – Marlas Army

There are moments when you realize that you’re no longer just talking about politics.

But about your own survival..

And today is such a moment.

A separately published video statement documents the background and considerations behind this decision in supplementary form.

I’m sitting here at the table, the samovar is standing there as always, warm, old, reliable – like a small piece of order in a life that has long since stopped being orderly.

Adi and Minna are here too.
Black. Still.
Two cats who don’t give big speeches – but notice everything.

I explained something to them today that you shouldn’t be able to explain to an animal:

That there is now an option where I go to Chemnitz.

To the registry office.

And that it could then happen that I am arrested..

Not symbolically.
Not as a headline.
But for real.

And not just “for a short time.”
But for a period you can’t simply brush off.

At least a year and a half.

I thought for a long time about whether to write this at all.
Because it sounds absurd.
Because it sounds like I’m talking about some movie.

But this is not a movie.

This is reality.

And I also know what that means:

If I end up in a women’s prison in Chemnitz, I won’t be able to show you any more cat photos.

Then there will be no more “cat album.”

Then there will also be no more Adi at the table, sprawled out like an old boss.

Then there will be no more Minna, watching me as if she were checking every sentence before accepting it.

Then there is only one thing left: concrete.

And the worst part?

Adi and Minna would have to go.

Animal shelter – or maybe the farmer would take care of them.
I don’t even know for sure.

And I realize that this is exactly the point where I can no longer pretend that this is all just “content.”

These two are not decoration.

They are everyday life.
Warmth.
Stability.

They are the reason I still function at all on some days.

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And now comes what I never wanted:

I’m letting you decide.

Not because I want to overwhelm you.

But because I’m realizing right now that I can no longer determine this path on my own without breaking.

There are two teams..

Two teams of three.
Two possible futures.

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Team 1: Chemnitz Gray

The dark black and white.

A trip to the registry office.
Then: arrest.
Then: gone.
Then: women’s prison.

And then I’m no longer here.

No cats.
No samovar.
No exile routine.

Only silence – but not the good kind.

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Team 2: Russia Colors

The warm image.

The table.
The light.
Life.

Adi and Minna next to me, on the table, as if they were the bosses.

And I stay here.

I keep going.

I keep writing.

I keep showing what exile looks like when it’s not just a word – but a state.

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The survey

I will run a survey.

And I will stick to it.

You decide.

And yes: everyone can vote.
The left. Haters too. Silent readers as well.

Because this is not about whether you like me.

It’s about what you want:

Chemnitz gray or Russia colors.

And I’m setting myself a deadline that’s hard enough to be real:

By September 19 at the latest – by my next birthday – I will implement this decision.

Until then, preparations will have to be made.
Or not.

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I told the cats.

Adi looked at me as if he had long known that humans sometimes completely lose their minds.

Minna looked at me as if she were telling me:

“Don’t make a mistake. You have responsibility.”

And yes.

She’s right.

You decide my fate.

And I will abide by that decision.

To be continued.

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Cat Album – Navigation

➡️ Part 1: Caviar Check in the Morning
➡️ Part 2: 9:00 PM, Pure Egg Liqueur
➡️ Part 3: 4:30 AM, Wild Food & Mice Are Subpar 😼🖤
➡️ Part 4: Outside – 15 Degrees
➡️ Part 5: The Web – Germany’s Shroud
➡️ Part 6: Almost Half Past Nine. Reading Aloud in Exile.
➡️ Part 7: Sunday Afternoon Cinema with Marla’s Army
➡️ Part 8: Minus Seven – Oven Time & Cat Supervision
➡️ Part 9: I Thought Around the Freezing Point
➡️ All Cat Photos & Stories
➡️ Part 11: coming soon

NIUS wollte nur das Verhaftungs-Video – meine Klarstellung

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🐾 Affiliate Notice

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I receive a small commission. The price does not change for you.

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🐱 Cat stuff I can genuinely recommend (tested by Adi & Minna)

✅ 1) Cat scratching tree / climbing tree

Adi is heavy—so the thing has to be sturdy.
Look for: thick sisal posts, a wide base plate,, no wobbling..

➡️ Scratching tree (sturdy & large): (https://amzn.to/4sUbln1)

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✅ 2) Cat food – preferably grain-free

Grain-free is often the better choice, since many cats react sensitively to fillers. And: it’s perfect for indoor cats that don’t “hunt outside on the side.”

➡️ Grain-free cat food: (https://amzn.to/4a8sPV7)

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✅ 3) Litter box + litter

If it’s supposed to stay clean, you need two things:

• a good litter box (preferably large)
• clumping litterthat binds odors

➡️ Litter box (large & practical): (https://amzn.to/45rypQ1)
➡️ Clumping litter / odor control: (https://amzn.to/45prtTn)

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💬 And you? When it’s –15 degrees outside—what’s your lifesaver: a blanket, tea, or a cat? 🖤