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Ripley R.I.P.

March 26, 2013 By Mark Draughn 35 Comments

Ripley
Larger ImageRipley

We adopted Ripley about 14 years ago from the Orphans of the Storm animal shelter about 10 miles north of Chicago. We had been thinking of getting a kitten, but we decided to get an adult cat, in part because most people pass them over in favor of kittens, but mostly because when you get an adult cat, what you see is what you get. If you adopt an adult cat, the way they are when you meet them is the way they’ll be for the rest of their lives.

We found Ripley by sitting down in the adult cat room and paying attention to which cats came over to play with us. Cat D51 (back then Orphans didn’t name them) came over to both of us several times and climbed right up into our laps. He responded to attention and purred and didn’t pick fights with the other cats. We decided to bring him home with us and name him Ripley, after Sigourney Weaver’s character in Aliens.

Just like at the shelter, Ripley loved to come visit us. The first time I laid down on the couch after bringing him home, he hopped right up and sat on my chest, purring. Almost every evening, my wife would sit in the reclining chair to read or watch television and Ripley would slowly creep up and curl up on her lap or her chest, where she could hold him and pet him. He was her best cat ever.

Ripley
Larger ImageRipley

Toward the end of January, Ripley was diagnosed with immune mediated hemolytic anemia, which meant his immune system was attacking his red blood cells. Our vet gave him two transfusions and put him on very high dosages of immune suppressants. The drugs were causing liver damage, so we had to taper them off, and at yesterday’s vet visit, his red blood cell count was a little below normal again, and by this morning he was barely moving, so we took him right back to the vet for more tests. His red blood cell count had gone way down in just 15 hours, and his blood chemistry indicated multiple organ failure. There was nothing else we could do for him.

Ripley will be sorely missed. My wife is heartbroken. We’re both taking the day off from work.

Here he is with my old cat Dozer, who passed away in the summer of 2011. They were a couple of really good cats.

Ripley With Dozer
Larger ImageRipley With Dozer

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Comments

  1. Mr. Nikita and Elvira Mistress of Felinity says

    March 31, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    Wow!

    Such a wonderful photo and touching tribute.

    We send you our condolenses.

    We spent some time exploring your archives, and were surprised to see your early support of the cat blogging community, and thank you so much for it.

    Thank you for submitting once more, another post to carnival, this week.

    Reply
  2. Purrchance To Dream says

    March 31, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    Sending love and purrs to your family. Rest in peace, Ripley.

    Reply
  3. Angel and Kirby says

    March 31, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    WE are so sad to hear about Ripley. WE know home you will miss him!

    Reply
  4. Charlemagne, Tamar and Mal says

    March 31, 2013 at 11:13 pm

    We are sorry to hear about Ripley’s passing. It sounds like he was a wonderful kitty and very much loved.

    Sending soft purrs of comfort,
    Charlemagne, Tamar and Mal

    Reply
  5. Samantha, Clementine & Maverick says

    March 31, 2013 at 11:43 pm

    So sorry to hear about Ripley passing!! Lots of hugs and purrrrs to your Family!!
    Your TX furiends,

    Reply
  6. Bernadette says

    March 31, 2013 at 11:55 pm

    I love it when a cat just walks in and takes over. It’s what they’re supposed to do. So glad you found him and could enjoy his company for 14 years, that his suffering was comparatively brief, and you could share him with us for so long.

    Reply
  7. 'Kaika says

    April 1, 2013 at 12:57 am

    We are so sad that Ripley has left you for the Bridge. We send gentle purrs and headbumps and wish you many warm memories of your boy.

    Run free at the Bridge, handsome Ripley …

    ‘Kaika and the Yosemite cats

    Reply
  8. Angel Junior, Orion, Sammy and Emily says

    April 1, 2013 at 1:38 am

    We are so very sorry for your loss. Ripley was very handsome!

    Reply
  9. Everycat says

    April 1, 2013 at 3:28 am

    We did not know Ripley before today, but we just dropped by to send you rumbly purrs and love for your loss. Ripley was a very handsome mancat, it is so sad to lose such a precious friend

    Gerry & Mungo

    Reply
  10. Milo and Alfie says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:18 am

    I didn’t know Ripley, but I do understand loss (having lost beloved cats myself in the past). Thank you for loving Ripley so much and giving him a wonderful home for as long as it was possible. Yes, of course you will miss him as love is a two sided coin ~ the more you love, the more it hurts when they are no longer in your life. Sending comfort and purrs from my boys Milo and Alfie.

    Jan (Cat mom to Milo and Alfie).

    Reply
  11. Eric and Flynn says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:52 am

    I am sorry for your loss of Ripley. That is a beautiful photo of him.
    I know the heart wrenching pain you and your wife are feeling as our Eric passed 2 weeks ago, but try to take comfort in your good memories.
    Jackie

    Reply
  12. Old Kitty says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:57 am

    We’ve come over from the CB. We are so sorry to read about sweet angel Ripley. What a beauty. We send you many purrs and hugs. Take care
    x

    Reply
  13. The Island Cats says

    April 1, 2013 at 7:41 am

    We didn’t know Ripley, but we are sorry he has gone to the Bridge. He sure was handsome! We know the sadness you are feeling. We hope all the good memories you have of Ripley, helps ease your sadness and pain.

    Reply
  14. Cats of wildcat woods says

    April 1, 2013 at 7:44 am

    We heard on the CB that you lost your beloved Ripely. he was such a beauty. Thank you for adopting him as an adult cat and for loving him for all those years. he is waiting for you now at the rainbow bridge and lives forever in your hearts.

    Reply
  15. Scylla, Socks, Tuiren & Fenris says

    April 1, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Ripley was one of the first cats we meet when we (Socks & Scylla) started blogging. We are so glad you gave Ripley a chance at a forever home, even though he was an adult when you meet. Purrs of sympathy and comfort for your loss.

    Reply
  16. meowmeowmans says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:08 am

    Though we did not know Ripley, it is abundantly clear that you loved him very much, and very well. Thank you for sharing your lives and hearts with him. Purrs and prayers, and comforting thoughts to you.

    Reply
  17. Bellen says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:23 am

    I didn’t know Ripley, as I have come to the Cat Blogosphere relatively lately, but I wish to add my condolences to there others’ who have left comments. Every loss of a loved one, whether human or animal, makes the world a little colder, and with Ripley’s loss it seems as if it became very chilly indeed.

    Reply
  18. Amanda says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:32 am

    We are so sorry to hear about Ripley. Even tho we didn’t know him, he looks like a wonderful friend who will be deeply missed. Hugs and healing purrs. William, and his Mum Amanda

    Reply
  19. Mark Draughn says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Thank you, everyone. My wife and I appreciate your kind words so much. It helps, it really does.

    Reply
  20. Team Tabby says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:43 am

    Our condolences on your loss of Ripley. Your post is a great tribute to him, a very handsome kitty! Thanks for sharing his story with us.

    All four of us were adopted as ‘older’ cats as well.

    Purrs,
    Mindy
    Moe
    Cookie
    Mike

    Reply
  21. jansfunnyfarm says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:45 am

    He was sure a handsome guy. We didn’t know Ripley but we know the pain of losing a furry friend. We are sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  22. Emily B. says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:51 am

    I have had the pleasure of knowing Ripley through his momma – my good friend. I miss him already and my heart breaks for her sadness. He was such a great friend and is terribly missed.

    This is a beautiful tribute and photographs.

    Reply
  23. Brenda, Boots & Ozzie says

    April 1, 2013 at 9:00 am

    We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Ripley. It sounds like he was a wonderful companion for these 14 years and his loss will be deeply felt.

    What a handsome boy he was. Our sincerest condolences.

    Reply
  24. Abby says

    April 1, 2013 at 9:45 am

    We read this morning on the CB about the loss of Ripley. We are very very sorry to hear about your deep sadness. He was such a handsome kitty and we know the Ripley sized hole in your heart is aching. Our deepest purrs.

    Reply
  25. Marilia says

    April 1, 2013 at 10:05 am

    I´m so sorry about your lost.
    Receive my sinceres condolences.

    Reply
  26. Brian says

    April 1, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    We are so very sorry to hear about dear Ripley. We send you many purrs and lots of hugs and love.

    Reply
  27. Mark's Mews says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    That was a touching tribute to your dear friend. I understand how this is going to leave a hole in your lives (same sort of losses here). The Mews are sending you their Best Purrs of Comfort… ~ Mark

    Reply
  28. Lee County Clowder says

    April 1, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    Sending comforting purrrrrss. We never noo Ripley, but clearly he was a great kittie, and gorgeous besides.

    Reply
  29. Timmy Tomcat says

    April 2, 2013 at 1:28 pm

    We never met dear Ripley but we love you just the same. That you touched so many hearts shows the depth and largess of your character. May you run the fields over the Rainbow until we all meet again

    Reply
  30. Kate says

    April 3, 2013 at 5:40 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. Ripley looks like such a beautiful cat.

    Reply
  31. Teri and the cats of Curlz and Swirlz says

    April 6, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    We did not know Ripley before today, but we can tell from your loving tribute to him that he was a very special, very loved kitty. So handsome and brave…

    May the love you shared help soften the sadness you are feeling now and may someday soon you smile again when you think of him…that is what he would want…

    Reply
  32. Tasha & Buddy says

    April 7, 2013 at 7:42 am

    We’re so sorry for your loss. Ripley was clearly a much loved part of your family. Sending gentle purrs and headbutts to all who loved him,

    {{{hugs}}}

    Tasha & Buddy & Karen (Mum)

    Reply
  33. RA, Isis & Nanük says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Soft husky woooos,

    RA, Isis & Nanük

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Rest In Peace, Ripley | The Cat Blogosphere says:
    March 31, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    […] his humans?” Nikita has a full tribute post at The Opinionated Pussycat, and you can also go directly to Ripley’s last blog post.  Run free at the Rainbow Bridge, […]

    Reply
  2. Weekly News Roundup | The Cat Blogosphere says:
    April 7, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    […]  Nikita has a full tribute post for Ripley at The Opinionated Pussycat, and you can also go directly to Ripley’s last blog post.  Then our dear friend Sanjee from House Of The (Mostly) Black Cats went to the Rainbow Bridge, […]

    Reply

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