October 30, 2001 -- Our hearts ache yet again, for the fifth time now in just the past 7 months. Sadly, we lost the newest addition to our family this evening. After a courageous fight with cancer, our beautiful 5-year old Ruthie Sherwood could fight no more. She was given eternal comfort and peace at 7:19pm this evening with Debbie and me at her side.
Ruthie Sherwood came into our lives a cool and rainy September day. Ruthie was a Hearthside Cats girl rescued from the county humane society. Her previous owner had simply dropped her off at the shelter. Seems they had a new human baby and the cat had to go. I don't know what drew me to her cage, but it was love at first sight. Yes, the Power of Love. After a night of quarantine at the vet, she came home. We decided to renamed her Ruthie in honor of our very dear friend who had found the little female stray we were going to adopt. Unfortunately that little furry one passed away after being spayed. A weak heart. Ruth was the wonderful human that had introduced us to Harvey-Ritz. There was no question that our new girl here should now be named Ruthie.
Just days later, during a routine exam, the vet discovered lumps. Ruthie had lymphoma, and the doctors felt it'd spread too much throughout her body. Ruthie has been with us a mere 31 days -- but it's been time unmeasurable and we were so honored to have had the chance to know and deeply love her and care for her. It's as if she has been with us for all her life. Today was a day to shed tears. Tears for such a sweet, wonderful girl taken way too early in life by such an awful disease. We did all we could for our little beauty in this month, but God simply had other plans for her. She will now, however, always have a home in our hearts.
Our Opie -- also five years old and also battling the same cancer -- will forge on with his chemotherapy. A little bit of Ruthie lies beneath Opie's skin. They'd been to the oncologist together and no doubt swapped stories. If Opie beats the odds it will most likely be because of Ruthie. She just had a way of touching your soul. A companion to humans, to felines and now to the Angels above.
Ruthie Sherwood, the Power of Love...
Peace & Love, "Ruthie Ruth-Anne"