I found her outside the Trieschmann arts building when I was attending Hendrix College. She was sweet and loving and clearly needed a good home. Despite the fact that I was a Resident Advisor in my dorm, I took her home to live in Galloway Hall with me. I soon started calling her my little Trieshy-fish and she spent every moment in my lap purring. I heard rumors that several other students and professors had tried to take her home, but she wouldn't let them. For some reason she chose me.
I soon realized that she was expecting kittens--and this explained her urgent need for a home. She knew she was about to become a mommy, so she picked someone to keep her nice and comfy for the last weeks of her pregnancy. I obliged her by sneaking her food from the cafeteria and rubbing her belly whenever she demanded it (which was constantly). At three am, during a raging storm I watched her give birth to four kittens.
Over the years, Triesh was the best companian cat. She never complained (unless food was involved), loved laps, belly rubs, and purring. When we got Obi shortly after Josh and I got married, Triesh instantly fell in love and the two have been inseparable ever since.
Later, Triesh gave birth to a second litter of kittens. This was the beginning of the end, because afterwards she could not seem to stop biting herself and licking herself raw. For years, we have taken her every few months to get shots to stop her behavior and our vet has been the kindest man about the situation. But recently, instead of taking her every month it became every week and her poor body just couldn't take anymore. So this morning Josh took her and held her while she was put to sleep. Then we buried her in the backyard--Josh bought some beautiful daylilies to plant over her grave.
I usually try to keep this blog fun, but every now and then you just have to be honest. I'm not sure I will ever be able to pet a purring kitty in my lap again and not think of Triesh. Goodbye my sweet friend...I hope you found peace.
