Story of Phlurph
I knew that as soon as I was able I wanted to get a little feline friend. So, once I moved out of the dorms (summer 1995), I went to the Athens county cat shelter and looked around. I noticed this one cat jump up onto the window sill, smack another cat, and then jump back down. I liked her attitude and felt I needed a bitchy assertive influence in my life. The shelter person asked if I was planning on getting any other cats to which I replied no. She said, "Good, cause I wouldn't recommend it with this one." Phlurph (age 6 mos to 1 yr when I got her) came by her name when a friend and I were looking through a book of album cover art and we saw the record of a band named Phluph. Rachel mispronounced it and Phlurph was born. Phlurph wasn't particularly affectionate but she could be counted on in times of emotional upheaval or menstrual cramps. She did go through a bit of a personality change when we moved south, becoming much more of a lap cat. She also developed an interest in cookies - I even caught her nosing through a bag. Phlurph had quite a reputation with the vet. One time I called for an appointment and the receptionist said in veiled tones, "Uhh, its not Phlurph is it?" Phlurph got so pissed about going to the vet that she would even hiss at pictures of other animals on the wall. I adored her. She would always give these short brusk meows when I came home, informing me of what I'd missed while away. Sometimes she's have a little gentleman caller come to the window, which she'd attack with furious yowls and much commotion. Every morning she'd insist on waking me (by pulling on my hair, nose, or earlobes) to be fed, even if she had plenty of food.

{Stop reading now unless you want to feel my pain}

In January of 2000 Phlurph started losing interest in her food, something she'd never done before. I took her to the vet and they found a mild case of diabetes. We were waiting for her to get better from whatever was ailing her before we began treatment but she went downhill, developing hepatic lipidosis. She stayed at the vet's office and I visited her everyday. But she passed and it brings tears to my eyes even now thinking of it. I was absolutely devastated.