Ruby-birthday-Conscious-Cat

Today would have been Ruby’s 11th birthday, and as is often the case with these special days, I miss my precious girl even more today than I usually do. I don’t think I’ll ever come to terms with the fact that she died so young. She had so much life left to live, so many more years of irritating her big sister, and so many more tuna cakes to enjoy.

The photo above shows her on her last birthday in 2019, about a month before she was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease.

I thought I’d share this little gallery of some of my favorite photos with you today to remember my sweet girl. (If you’re reading this via our email update, you may need to click through to our website to view the gallery.)

Happy Birthday, Ruby in spirit. I hope there’s tuna cake in heaven.

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39 Comments on Remembering Ruby on What Would Have Been Her 11th Birthday

  1. Ruby was definitely a princess, and she’ll always be thought of, as such. Ruby, my love, hugs,
    kisses and all happy thoughts take flight in G d’s universe to wherever you are.

  2. I forgot to add that my mom passed away eleven years ago on September 7th. In the circle of life, it’s truly comforting to know that sweet little Ruby entered the world on this same day. I am so very, very sorry that Ruby was not able to share her physical life with you longer, but I sincerely believe that her spirit remains close to you…always.

  3. Thank you so much for your lovely comments, and for sharing your own stories of loss. Knowing that Ruby was loved and is missed by so many of you helped brighten a bittersweet day.

  4. Such a beautiful girl. It is heartbreaking to lose our beloved family member and friend. Thinking of everyone who is grieving the loss of their kitties. ❤️❤️❤️

  5. Lovely photos of a beautiful girl! Thank you for sharing Ingrid. I know how much you miss your Ruby. I think all of us here will be mobbed at the Rainbow Bridge someday. I have to believe I will see my sweet babies again. Sending love your way on this very difficult day.

  6. Ingrid, thank you so much for sharing the beautiful photos of Ruby and you and for your wonderful website which is always a delight. Like so many others, I relate completely to how you feel. I lost my beloved BB in 2015 at the age of seven and still think of her all the time. It’s especially hard when you feel that the death was untimely. A warm hug to you, Sarah

  7. So difficult to lose our fur babies so young. I lost a sweet black and white kitty of heart failure at 9. No diagnosis, just bang, she was gone in a few minutes! Took me a long time to wrap my head around it. Love and comfort to you as you remember sweet Ruby. <3

  8. What a beautiful girl and lovely tribute. I lost an adored cat to cancer at the age of 4. It devastated me as I had rescued her at the age of 4 weeks. I just happened to be in our local shelter when she was brought in, a hissing, spitting little mite. She would have been euthanized on the spot because the shelter was full to the ceiling with cats that fall. She never got much larger than a six-month-old kitten and I loved her to bits.

  9. Happy birthday OTRB Ruby ! You were gone too soon ! We just lost our sweet Sally on Sunday to a stroke – she was 12. Purrs.

  10. Dear Sweet Ruby, you are playing and running around heaven without a care. I’m sure you are friends with my sweet pets that have gone before me, Cosmo, Blue Cheese, Summer, Chelsea, Charlie and Austin and Romeo & Juliet. Give them all my love, until we all can be together again.

  11. Oh Ingrid!! Sending much love and many, many virtual hugs as you remember beautiful Ruby! It just isn’t fair that she left so young…….thank you for sharing these delightful photos with us, Ruby will live on in all of our hearts xoxo

  12. I am so very sorry Ruby is gone. She leaves a wonderful legacy and she is still very much loved by all who read your blog. May she rest in peace.

  13. Happy Heavenly Birthday Angel Ruby. Ingrid, thank you for sharing your pictures & memories of your sweet girl. Tuesday will always belong to Ruby.

  14. Hugs to you on this bittersweet day. Ruby was a beautiful and fun girl.

    My Lucy came to me at an unknown age as a stray, and died eight years later of kidney failure in December 2013. I wanted so much more time with her, and losing her crushed me.

    I hope all of our beloved pets are in heaven and that one day we see them again. They gave us so much meaning in life.

  15. Ruby, we all love and miss you. Sending hugs to your mom on this day. And I’m hoping my Oscar will stop by your heavenly kitty tower to give you purrs and licks on your birthday.

  16. Ingrid I am sorry for your loss of Ruby. I lost my Jasmine of heart disease and I miss her so much. Thanks for posting the pictures of Ruby.

  17. Such beautiful photos of Ruby and you & Ruby. Thinking of you and your precious girl today. Thank you for sharing her memories with us.
    XOXO

  18. So sorry you had to lose Beautiful Ruby so young. She will remain in your heart forever.
    Ingrid – did you get my email that I sent you privately about my donation? Please let me know. Thanks!

    Thank you for your site and your love of cats!!

  19. I’m so sorry to hear. Our beloved Lucy Furr died last year on July 1st but she was 12. it still seemed too young. Thank you for your articles about your beloved Ruby. She was so pretty

  20. Ingrid, I am so sorry you lost Ruby at such a young age. Our cats never live long enough.
    But Ruby was lucky to have 9 happy years with the best Cat Mom I can imagine. Sending a big hug.

  21. Ruby,

    All Conscious Cat fans miss you. Happy 9yrs/11yrs of Birthdays! Look down on Mom & sister Allegra, send them a special Ruby message today.

    Grayson, Milo, Hamish & Nan

  22. I just recently lost my Magnolia to cancer at 9 . I am so sad. She was everything. Love to you and thinking of Ruby.

    • Oh dear i am so sorry that is too young to lose a cat. Ours died at 12 last year which still seems too young too. I grieve with you.

  23. Sweetheart, we know what you mean and how you feel. We recently had to “put down” one of our dear little ones due to an impossible tumor that finally prevented her from being able to eat. We have had numerous others who have passed from old age and “conditions” that took them too soon. It is never easy to lose them, nor should it be. But, “ours” is a responsibility to be with them, to love and support them from beginning to end. If the time ever comes when it is not hard to say goodbye then it is time for us to re-evaluate ourselves. We remember them in our hearts and minds, replay the good times when we played and had fun, and smile.

  24. We treasure the moments we have them. And they forever live in our hearts.
    Hugs to you today as you remember Dear Ruby.

  25. I know the feeling well … I lost my beloved dog of 12.5 years a few weeks ago. Thank goodness I still have my beautiful calico kitty to hug and bring me smiles.

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