I first saw Kiri in a Denver shelter when she was 3 1/2 months old. What a gorgeous kitten she was! A brown tabby with dark, dramatic circular markings. She was a shy little girl, but I was able to coax a purr out of her, and she came home with me. I adopted Kacey (who was the same age) at the same time, and the two of them were best friends from the start.
In her younger days, Kiri liked to unroll the toilet paper from time to time, but she really wasn't a mischief maker. She loved to sit in my lap, and she didn't like to be disturbed while doing so. She would rest one paw on my knee, and if that knee moved she'd sink in a claw just a little, just to let me know that I shouldn't plan on getting up anytime soon.
She also had a funny way of meowing. It was kind of like a yodel: meeeow-ow-OW. She stopped doing that as she got older, which was too bad because that meow always made me smile.
When she was 13, in the spring of 2007, Kiri's kidneys suddenly failed. She had no history of kidney problems (or any significant illness), and her favorite food at the time was on the list of foods that were contaminated with melamine, so I've always believed that the food caused her kidney failure even though the vets couldn't confirm it. She wasn't expected to survive.
But sweet, shy little Kiri turned out to have an iron will. Her kidneys started working again, and after extensive hospitalization, IVs, subQ fluids, and force feeding, she recovered. She never gained back much of the weight she'd lost, but inside that frail body was a mighty tough spirit. She handled the move to Illinois with no problem, and accepted the addition of a new kitten (Caly) to the family.
When Kiri suddenly came down with a respiratory infection, I took her to the vet immediately, hoping that prompt treatment could ward off any complications. But despite antibiotics and fluids, she didn't get better. She fought that illness with all the strength she had, but it just wasn't enough.
And so I had to let my brave lady go.
I loved her so much. She and Kacey were my lifeline on a number of occasions. I'm so grateful that I had another 2 1/2 years with her after her kidney episode, but no amount of time would have been enough.
I think it must have been a joyful reunion at the Bridge between Kiri and Kacey. I'm sure he wrapped his paws around her neck and gave the top of her head a good licking, just like he always did, before they settled in for a good cuddle.
Farewell for now, my beautiful Kiri. I'll never forget you.
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RIP Kiri.
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