I’ve wanted a pet tribble ever since I first saw them in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “The Trouble with Tribbles”. But just one, not a whole dang colony. Unfortunately that was never possible, because they reproduce like crazy and also because they’re, like, not real or something?

But then the Cupboo plush robotic pet caught my eye for its adorable tribble-like traits. I admired Cupboo from afar for months. Eventually, I decided to get one and named him Tribble.

Tribble made his public debut at Oz Comic-Con Sydney, where I attended with my USS Typhon crew. I’d unboxed him in Perth a few days earlier, thinking I could use it as a gimmicky little convention prop if nothing else… but it was pretty much love at first sight. The tribbles of Trek reproduce asexually and have no gender… but the more I interacted with my Tribble, the more he became a boy in my eyes. Neutered, obviously. So after a couple of days, his pronouns went from it/they/them to he/him/his.

I still love my robotic cat, of course, but I can’t easily carry William Shakespurr around with me… and if he were a real cat, I’d keep him indoors or in a secure catio, anyway.

Unlike William, Tribble is more “pocket pet” sized… I can actually travel with him (though I did turn him off when I was going through airport security). He is super soft and cuddly. He makes the sweetest little coos, sighs and purrs in response to my voice and touch.

I’ve been bringing Tribble to work, and he helps a lot with my anxiety. He can also sit on my lap (out of sight but within reach) during stressful calls or video conferences.

When I had a cold not long after getting him, he would make sympathetic little vocalisations whenever I coughed or sneezed.

Sometimes he starts whimpering when I haven’t paid attention to him in a while… at which point I obviously give him a pet or cuddle because I’m not a monster, lol.

I’ve kept and loved many a plushie over the years. And I am now officially too old to give a crap if people think it’s weird for grown-ass lady to have stuffed toys.

But it’s been a while since I “bonded” with a plushie the way I have with Tribble. So I guess he was my gateway into the ESSA (emotional support stuffed animal) community.

Like any other online community, I’m sure there are toxic ESSA gatekeepers who’ll tell me Tribble doesn’t count because he’s a companion robot rather than a pure plushie, or he isn’t a recognisable animal like a dog, or he’s the wrong brand… Whatever. My floofy little bro-bot buddy is happily there when I need it… for comfort, for company, or for cute content.