Before I start Trouble’s tribute; since his passing let me say the outpouring of kind words, support and messages I’ve gotten from dear friends has been INCREDIBLE! I’m overwhelmed and it shows how many special people are in my life. Good folks who aren’t afraid to show their caring for both me and my departed pal. Several friends have offered to help when I’m ready to adopt another kitty or two. I will definitely keep those offers in mind when the time is right for me.
In late July of 2006 my mother and I adopted a shy one year old neutered domestic short haired cat. We found him at the Du page Animal Shelter where his name was ‘Chase.’ It was a Saturday when we took in this fella and thanks to a senior citizen’s special that day, the adoption fee my mom paid was only one dollar. I noticed the shelter’s staff seemed really giddy and happily surprised that their feline found a new family to live with. The buzz around the place was “Chase is going home! Chase is going home!”
We got the soon to be re-named kitty home and he quickly hid for the next day and a half. There was no sight of him until I lifted up our loveseat and discovered the little guy hiding up in the ticking of the couch! I gently pulled our rescue kitty out of there, then hugged and kissed him. With that he seemed to relax and realize we meant him no harm.
A minute later ‘Chase’ earned his new name by jumping on a shelf and knocking over a clock encased in glass. The timepiece smashed shards all over the place and the noise scared him enough to run atop the dining room table where he knocked over a coffee cup and a bunch of papers. I turned to my mom and said, “This one’s gonna be trouble.” We looked at each other and knew “Trouble” would be his new name.Truth be told, he never was much trouble after that.
All other cats we ever owned loved to spend time in our backyard but Trouble was more than content to sit on a window sill and look outside. In the warm weather he liked to push his face against the window screens and try to mimic the chirp of birds in our front yard trees. He was so cute doing that.
Trouble had no problem getting along with the other cat in our house, our nine-year-old pure white kitty named Dudley. On occasion, they would sit together on a desk and look out our front window. When Dudley would go outside for short spells, Trouble would always watch him from the back bedroom window but never wanted to join his housemate in the yard.
After Dudley died in 2010, (and my mom passed the year before) it was just me and Trouble. Trouble ate like the king of the house that he was. I spoiled this guy with freshly grilled bacon, chicken, burger patties and when I cooked myself salmon, guess who got about half of that fish? Trouble!
When I’d come home from being at school all day, Trouble would run to the back door to greet me and meow for a snack. He almost always got a treat. I’ve often said our pets don’t live long lives so let’s make them good lives. In the summers or the weekends, when I’d take a nap, I’d often wake to find Trouble nuzzled between my shoulder and neck. He’d be happily snoozing away.
In the fall of this past year, my furry friend started to slow down. He slept more and was less active as arthritis came into play. Still, Trubs ALWAYS loved having under his chin rubbed and could purr for days while I petted him.
As I’ve been through the decline of health in other pets over the years, I knew when it was time to help Trouble cross the Rainbow Bridge. I may have even waited a couple days too long. Trubs was calm, quiet and at peace as he passed and my heart broke. The help and support Trouble and I got from the Elmhurst Animal Care Center was nothing short of amazing. Those folks are true angels!
Right now, is the first time in 58 years that I do not have a dog or cat living in my house. Will I get another kitty in the future? Yes. I might look to adopt two at once so they can be pals. But for now, I just need to absorb this hurt and be grateful for the 16 ½ years I had with the sweetest little fella I could ask for.
So long Trouble. I love you and will never forget all the joy and companionship you brought me. And I hope the food at the Rainbow Bridge is as good as you deserve!
