Ruby-King

It is with a broken heart that I’m writing to let you know that my sweet Ruby girl passed away Wednesday afternoon. I needed some time to mourn her privately before being able to share the sad news with you and mourn her publicly.

Less than three months after she was diagnosed with what was most likely renal lymphoma, my precious little girl is gone. I chose to provide hospice care instead of pursuing aggressive diagnostics and treatment, and I have not regretted my choice for one moment. Even though that choice may have cut our time together short, it made up for it with love a thousandfold for what it lacked in length.

Ruby-December-2019
Ruby, two weeks ago

As Ruby’s energy and weight fell off over the last few weeks, she still loved her two favorite activities: being in my lap, and eating. When it became evident that the cancer was winning, I made the agonizing decision to let her go while she was “still Ruby.” I barely had time to get used to the idea of her being terminally ill before she died at home in my arms on Wednesday.

Ruby-The-Conscious-Cat
First day in her new home

Ruby joined Allegra and me in April of 2011 as a six-month-old kitten. She brought so much joy and light to our home during the past eight and a half too short years. This little cat was all about loving and being loved. Allegra and I are trying to cope as best as we can as we will be adjusting to life without Ruby.

Allegra-Ruby-bed
One of my favorite photo of the girls together

Eventually, I will write about Ruby’s hospice care experience in more detail, but it’s probably going to be a while. While writing has always been part of the healing process for me after losing a cat, it’s not something I am able to do while everything is so raw and hurts so much. I’m going to need time to heal from this profound loss before I do so.

I adopted Ruby from the SPCA of Northern Virginia. If you’d like to make a donation in her memory, that would be a lovely way to remember her.

Fly free, sweet girl. I will never stop missing you.

Ruby-Ingrid

247 Comments on Farewell, Sweet Ruby

  1. My deepest sympathies for your loss of Ruby. I’m just reading this today and so sad for you. Grief is such a strange mix of heart break for the loss and a melancholy kind of joy for having shared a bit of your life with such a dignified, special creature. As my favorite vet says, “cats walk a little lighter on this Earth” as they seem to already have one paw in another place. Thank you for all you do and sharing so much with us. My thoughts are with you as you grieve and remember.

  2. I’ve had company the last week so I just read of Ruby’s passing. My heart breaks for you. I’ve had to make that choice with 4 of my cats over the last 10 years. She will truly be missed. You’re in my prayers. Run and play at the rainbow bridge Ruby.

    • I have been so busy, I missed theses last few posts.
      I’m so sorry.
      I understand completely what you have gone through, and how much the loss affects everyone.
      My thoughts will be with you and Allegra.

  3. Ingrid – my deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved Ruby! I came upon your web site several years ago, looking for quality information about the feeding and caring of cats. I found your site highly reliable, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adventures with Ruby and Allegra. Thank you for your generosity in sharing what you know, and sharing your wonderful loving experiences with Ruby. Sending peaceful and tranquil thoughts your way. GC

  4. We will all see our deceased pets again one day. GOD BLESS all of us that are GREAT pet parents. Our time on earth is short but our time in Heaven is eternal!!!

  5. I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my very special Somali girl, Zuri, to kidney failure in 2016, and she also went downhill way too quickly despite all of the medical advice and assistance I had from two vets. I have had to put down several pets, but she was the hardest. Prayers for you.

  6. Words alone can not express the sorrow I feel for you and Allegra at your time of loss. Ruby will forever live in our hearts and memories. You and Allegra are in my prayers. Thank you for being able to share this with us. With deepest sympathies.

  7. I’m so sorry for your loss. I too lost one of my furbabies on December 23, 2019. I raised her from a day and a half old to 12 years and 8 months. I still haven’t realized I will never see her again. I regret I did not do more for her while she was alive, but it’s too late now. RIP sweet love.

  8. Condolences to you and Allegra. It is heartbreaking to lose a fur baby with that grief being more pronounced because we are often times in charge of making the end-of-life decision. Letting go when our little babies are still viable is a brave decision but the right one IMO so God be with you during this heartbreaking time.

  9. Ingrid, I am just crushed from the news. This is such a horrible thing to go through, and while there are no words, please know that in the silence massive amounts of love come to you and Allegra.

    • So very sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing. My heart hurts for you and Allegra. Losing a fur baby is one of the most difficult things we pet parents have to endure. Prayers for comfort for you.

  10. I’m so sorry for your loss. They take a piece of your heart, but she had the very best life possible with you. She left this world peacefully. That is a blessing.

  11. I have just read the sad news of Ruby’s passing. I am so very sorry, Ingrid. I send my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to you and Allegra. Rest In Peace, Ruby.

  12. Dear Ingrid, I am so sorry to hear that Ruby passed on Wednesday. I know the pain you feel. I remember when she first came into your home. Little Ruby had 8 wonderful years in your home. She was a loved kitty. I hope you and Allegra enjoy some peace and serenity. xo

  13. Dear Ingrid. I am so sorry for your loss and Allegra’s too. I know the pain and grief you are in. You made an incredibly brave choice and did what was best for Ruby. I know that if we are faced with the same kind of illness and decisions, we will remember what you did for Ruby. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please know you are in our hearts.

  14. Ingrid, I know that memories of Ruby will fill you heart and soul, though the pain will continue. So glad we got to know Ruby through your writings. Dawn and I send so much hope and prayer for you and Allegra.

  15. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing those sweet memories. May sweet Ruby find friends and fields of nip over the Rainbow Bridge, run free Ruby.

  16. My thoughts are with you and Allegra–Losing your sweet cat is so hard but she was so loved and cared for, and she knew it. She was such a purr-sonality in your blog that I felt I knew her and also feel her loss. She is now pain free and looking at you with all her love.

  17. Dear Ingrid & Allegra,
    I was devastated when I first read your announcement on Instagram. Now, reading this, my heart is in my throat. I remember when Sweet Ruby joined your home.
    She has brought so much joy through seeing her photos and hearing about her antics. There are no words. Sending you and Allegra a huge hug and prayers for healing. And many tears.

  18. My sweet Marie (she was a Tortie as well,) died of Congestive Heart Failure, I was so blind to this, she died in my home, I didn’t get to take her to the vet because it was in the middle of the night. I have regretting not knowing this sooner, but I have my sweet memories of this baby who was only 13. I hope you and Allegra can grieve together and post when you can.

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