I am so grateful to have eight years of Ruby’s Reflections to look back on. I remember most of the stories Ruby shared in her very own column, but every once in a while, one comes as a surprise, making me realize how quickly we can forget the small, everyday things after we lose a loved one. It’s one of the many reasons why I encourage people to journal after they lose a cat and write down as many memories as they can. Much as we like to think we’ll always remember, memories fade over time, and capturing them while they’re fresh in our minds is a precious gift to ourselves.Continue Reading
Ruby’s Reflections
Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Ate a Stink Bug
With all of my other lost cats, the pain of missing them started to soften after about a year. So far, that hasn’t happened with Ruby. Memories are a funny thing: sometimes, they bring smiles and a warm, fuzzy feeling. Other times, they’re like a punch to the gut. However, today’s memory is definitely of the kind that brought a smile. Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Became an Agility Champion
A little over a year later, I still miss my beautiful little girl terribly. I treasure the memories of our time together, even if they’re sometimes more painful than comforting, but that’s as it should be when you’re grieving a loss.
Today’s memory goes back to 2014, Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: One Year Ago Today
Today marks the anniversary of the day I had to let Ruby go. I had plans to write a lengthy post filled with memories for this anniversary, but memories are a funny thing: sometimes, they make you smile, and sometimes, they’re like a punch to the gut. And while writing is healing for me most of the time, it hasn’t helped all that much yet when it comes to coping with her loss.Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: Ruby’s First Christmas Tree
As the anniversary of Ruby’s passing gets closer, I find that my grief is intensifying again. First anniversaries are always difficult,a and combined with a holiday season that is anything but normal, this is a challenging time for me. Thankfully, memories of some of the silly things my little girl did bring smiles through the tears.Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Unplugged the Router
This time last year, Ruby’s health was already on a downward spiral, and I’m having a hard time with the memories flooding in. First anniversaries are always difficult, and there’s something about the changing light of fall and the approaching holidays that is intensifying my grief again. Thankfully, memories of some of the silly things my little girl did bring smiles through the tears.Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Watched the Tree Trimmers
We’re coming up on about a year ago that Ruby first started to get sick and then rapidly declined. It’s hard to believe that she’s been gone almost ten months. There are days when I feel the grief as acutely as if she had only left yesterday. Memories are both comforting and painful, as you would expect when you’re grieving. I’m grateful that I not only captured so many on photos and videos, but also in her “Ruby’s Reflection” column. Today’s memory goes back to the summer of 2012.Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Had a Nighttime Encounter With a Ceramic Bowl
As I’m mourning my beautiful little girl, the memories keep flooding in. I still miss her terribly every day, and memories are sometimes comforting, sometimes painful, but that’s as it should be when you’re grieving a loss.Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: That Time When the Girls Went Fishing
As I’m mourning my beautiful little girl, the memories keep flooding in. I still miss her terribly every day, and memories are sometimes comforting, sometimes painful, but that’s as it should be when you’re grieving a loss. One of the things I miss a lot is “writing” the spirited exchanges Allegra and Ruby had on occasion, so I thought I’d share one today.Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Helped Me Install the Cable Box
Not a day has gone by since Ruby passed away that I haven’t thought of my little girl. Some memories make me cry, some make me smile, and every single one is precious. I’ll periodically share some of these memories so you can take a trip down memory lane with me.Continue Reading
Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Fell Off the Refrigerator
Not a day has gone by since Ruby passed away that I haven’t been flooded with memories. Some make me cry, some make me smile, and every single one is precious. I’ll periodically share some of these memories so you can take a trip down memory lane with me. Today’s story goes back to July 2011, just three months after Ruby joined our family.Continue Reading