Iris

I believe I was much fonder of Iris than she was of me.

I met Iris a couple of years ago when her person - Kelly - asked me if we could try some acupuncture to see if it would help her sore hips.

At the first visit Iris, a pretty calico kitty, screamed - an unearthly howl - when I tried to touch her - not put a needle in her - just touch her. I think on that visit I might have placed three needles at most and she swatted me, claws out as I put each one in and again when I took it out.

I'm usually of the opinion if the pet doesn't want acupuncture, then I respect this and don't force it. In this case, Kelly was sure Iris would benefit so we decided to try a couple of more treatments and see how she did. Sometimes, once an animal realizes that the needles make them feel better, they begin to enjoy my visits. Not with Iris, she continued to scream and swat at me for many visits until we all got used to this routine.

The thing was, Iris did respond amazingly well to acupuncture. As soon as I finished with the last needle, she would make a dash, hopping as fast as her bad hips would allow, up the stairs and retreat under the bed. Apparently she would sleep for a few hours, then come downstairs looking for food and Kelly would see a big improvement in her mobility for the next few weeks.

I saw Iris monthly for several years. Eventually she tolerated me, but she occasionally let out a howl or gave me a good swat to remind me she was in charge. I came to love this spirited little cat. She always made me smile. And then at Christmas this year - disaster. Iris broke her back leg. Despite a couple of surgeries, drugs, herbs, acupuncture and months of loving care her leg just wouldn't heal. Finally the decision to let her go had to be made. What a sad day for all. I felt as if I'd lost one of my own. When I left her for the last time, Kelly gave me a little bag of Iris's hair that she had been saving.

I spun up the hair, trying to separate the colours as much as possible. Then I Navajo plyed the yarn to keep the colours true.



Then I knit a little Spirit Basket out Iris's yarn.



I put on a few beads with her name and a small picture of Iris. I think the finished basket looks a bit like her. It is my gift to Kelly - a memorial of a truly special and feisty little cat.