Here is Rutherford's story as I wrote in in 2002:
Rutherford's story
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Rutherford and Fern's story go hand in hand because they were adopted on the same day, May 24, 1997. But we will focus on Rutherford.
The "why" behind adopting 2 cats is a sad story all by itself. It was early May, 1997, and a normal day off for my husband and me, playing with our 6 cats before leaving for errand running. Upon our return we discovered our 14 year old cat Thumper, under the table DEAD. An awful sight especially since he was not sick. Very mysterious, heart attack we suspected. Now for the double blow, 5 DAYS later, our beloved Brighteyes, our first cat,also 14,was having problems breathing. It was 6 a.m. and I knew she was suffering so it was off to the after hours emergency clinic. Good bye, sweet girl. We'll miss you. You'll always be our first.
Now that we are a 4 cat household, there was too much emptiness and grief. On the upcoming Memorial day weekend we knew that a local shelter, that was an all foster home organization, would be having their "Kitten Kapers", an event that brought their cats together in one rented building for the public to see. We had already picked out 2 names, Ruth and Fern, after 2 freinds of ours. We figured we'd take 2 cats that were already bonded to each other so they would have that relationship as they got better acquainted with their new family. Well a very special blue and white male cat changed bothe those plans in one fell swoop!
He was a long haired, or would be when he grew back. Matted, so badly we were told, that they had no choice but to shave him to the skin. But even with that shaved, bald little body, his personality shone through. His picture perfect little face continually straining at the top of his cage to get closer to us. We kept looking for our 2 "sibling" females but "baldy" would not be discouraged. He would find a way to convince us, that he was our man. (To be honest, it really didn't take much convincing, sometimes you just KNOW!).
[Then we chose Fern-but that's a different story]
Ruth, now Rutherford B. Hayes, turned out to be the sweetest, most lovable and polite cat that has ever walked this planet. Everyone (including a few here on PT) that meets him wants to take him home. His 2 favorite things are being brushed and being petted. Both of which you will tire of before he does. And he always comes, from any where in the house, when you call "Rutherford, my lap is empty!". But he will wait for an invitation to jump up. You must say "You can". Sweet Rutherford, I'd take a dozen, just like you
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*HUGS* and prayers on the way for your big boy.
Originally Posted by jenluckenbach
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