Trixie: The Calico Princess

Trixie, a petite, richly-hued, calico cat, passed over the rainbow bridge this week. She joined our family on Halloween weekend, seventeen years ago. Her name was derived from the phrase 'trick or treat' as we first learned of her need for a home at an annual barn party. She was born in October. We didn't need another pet, but one look at her asymmetrical little face was all it took. It was a unanimous vote. She needed us.

Trix was a sassy princess, reveling in her status as the indoor ambassador of lap cuddles and cereal thievery. Really, thievery of anything you were eating. She would gracefully settle herself in a seat or armrest near you and grab your hand holding a spoon or fork with her paw (and sometimes claws depending on her mood) and pull it towards her. If you weren't fast enough, you'd share your food with her.

Once, after the morning rush of getting children out the door for school, I returned to the kitchen to find an open box of cereal tipped over. She'd scattered cereal far and wide across the slippery floor. It wasn't just fun to eat; it was fun to play with.

Watching popcorn pop mesmerized her. She’d watch the white kernels dance in the Stir Crazy, while rubbing against our legs waiting for us to drop a kernel or six. We once found her in our big metal mixing bowl, on the counter, sound asleep. She also climbed into my oven via the door I'd left ajar to settle herself on four loaves of rising bread. I guess they were a soft place to rest. Thankfully, they were covered in a large tea towel, and I didn't bake Trixie along with the bread. Cats do have nine lives!

Like many cats, she loved small spaces. Grocery sacks, suitcases, throw blankets, backpacks, any would do. Her favorite place was under the covers. Many a night, my husband would sit down on the bed to take off his shoes, and you'd hear a muffled, very grumpy, meow. She loved to be warm and would wander the house and yard, searching for a pool of sunshine. Her mission: to find the perfect nap spot.

She was a tolerant soul when it came to other animals-as long as they knew she was in charge, despite her diminutive size. She was a ninja with her sharp claws and teeth. She grudgingly shared her space with her dog friends and in time learned to coexist with other felines and children.

She lived out her final years in comfort and chaos with my daughter's family. She was there for each of our grandson's homecomings and was a quiet guardian over my daughter as she tended to middle of the night feedings, only breaking the silence with a contented purr and stretch. She was a pro at finding out of the way spots, safe from busy little boys.

It's incredibly hard to lose our furry friends, but life is so much richer with their quirky companionship. They make us laugh, sometimes cry, and they always make us better humans. We will miss you, sweet Trixie. See you on the other side. Snuggle with the Maia girl until we get there.

How has a favorite pet shaped your life? Leave a comment or email me at Stacy@wordsbystacy.com.