Part 5
Eventually, my time in uniform began to wind down. I had walked the path of a soldier, but another calling had been quietly growing alongside me — one nurtured by every purr, every paw, and every moment I shared with Tricky.
During this chapter, we welcomed a Shih Tzu mix puppy into our family. The kids named him Odie — a perfect complement to our own “Garfield.” Odie brought a whirlwind of playful energy into our lives, while Tricky, ever the composed teacher, showed him the ropes and made sure he understood the rules of the house. It was a joyful shift — one that filled our home with laughter, chaos, and warmth.
As life moved forward, I poured myself into my IT career — earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees while balancing full-time work, motherhood, military life, marriage, and, of course, being a devoted pawrent to both Tricky and Odie.
Through it all, Tricky remained my constant — my quiet mentor and my greatest teacher. She was the first to reveal what would later become my true calling: caring for cats, earning their trust, and helping them find the love-filled homes they deserved.
Every challenge we faced together — every move, every long day, every quiet night — planted the seed that would one day grow into Myztic KittyZ. I didn’t know it then, but Tricky was preparing me for a future built on compassion, patience, and purpose.
She taught me resilience, adaptability, and unconditional love. She reminded me that the bonds we share with our animals aren’t merely companionship — they are partnerships, lifelines, and family.
The little orange kitten from Hooker Hill had become the compass guiding me toward everything I was meant to do.
To be continued…
