15 Oct 2009 – 10 Jun 2024
How does one sum up over 16 years of companionship and love? Ronald was no ordinary cat. While leaving the ship I was stationed on (USS Ronald Reagan in San Diego CA) I heard tiny meows coming from the parking lot. Upon further inspection, I noticed a vehicle with signs on it saying that there was a cat stuck in the engine. I refused to walk away and contacted base security. They thought I was crazy because of course the meows had stopped. After begging and pleading they said they would use a jack to see if they could see anything. As soon as they started to lift the vehicle the meows started. Next, t he base fire department got involved. Finally, they accessed the car and were able to pop the hood…. With gloves on this big burly fire fighter was ready to catch this fierce angry cat but instead, the tiniest kitten was on top of the engine that was left behind by his momma. I immediately scooped him up, thanked all involved in this rescue and took him outside the gates of the base to the vet clinic. I was informed he was about 3 weeks old and in very bad shape. I had two choices: 1. Leave him there and he would most likely be euthanized or 2. Take him home and try but more than likely he wouldn’t make it. Of course, I took him home. After lots of dawn baths and tweezers to remove the severe flea infestation and bottle feeding, he began to heal and become healthy.
Ronald grew from a tiny little kitten to a healthy 23lbs at one point in time. He was more than a cat, he was more like a dog. He begged for scraps at dinner time, greeted you at the door, followed you around and was very talkative with his amazing manly meows. He was a very smart cat and would sit on command and would play fetch in his younger years. He even was able to train his Aunt GiGi to give him treats without mom’s knowledge (or so they thought). As he aged two things stayed the same. His love for food and making biscuits in his mom’s hair. I think that is the one thing I miss the most.
Ronald was a well-traveled cat and lived in California, Illinois and ultimately his last move here to Virginia. Just like with everything, time started to take its toll on this sweet handsome man and his beautiful grey and black stripes were changing to white chin whiskers and a softer meow and sometimes no sound came out when he did meow. His health started to go down due to hyperthyroidism and then his kidneys. With the unspoken bond I had with him I knew when he looked at me one day with tiredness in his eyes it was time to let my best friend go. We spent one last amazing weekend together that was filled with talks, snuggles and of course steak and tuna. It was a beautiful crossing with Ronald snuggled in my hair making biscuits, just purring until his last breath.
I would like to thank Dr. Spangler at Old Dominion Vet Clinic for the most peaceful transition to the rainbow bridge for Ronald, I couldn’t have prayed for better care or a better passing. I would also like to thank Oakey’s for also letting Ronald send me one more message by having the smallest kitten snuggle and make biscuits in my hair just like my best friend did. Of course, I had to take that little kitten as well as his stripped brother home.
Roanld, thank you for being the best patient, chill cat I could have ever asked for. I cannot wait to see you again and hear those deep purrs of yours. Love you.