Life Update: Rubin the Maine Coon

I've been a little checked out lately, on the blog as well as in my mind.  It's taken a while to actually sit down and write this post. I debated whether or not I should, but they say talking about it helps.  Last weekend, (May 5) our youngest cat, Rubin, was hit by a car in front of our home.  You never expect these types of tragedies, of course, so it's needless to say this shocked us all to the core.  I could not believe it, it felt completely surreal.  In an instant, he was taken from us - by one speeding car.

We were hanging out on our deck, Rubin was coming and going as he always does, when it started to get a little late. We wondered where he was, and then Ralph saw him down at the bottom of our driveway.  I flew down, hoping he was in some deep sleep, but we knew.  He was dead, hit by a car.  Our street isn't necessarily busy, and Rubin had a deep fear of the road.  When a car would approach a few houses down, he'd sprint back up to the house.  Even if you were holding him, he'd climb out of your arms and run to safety. If anything we were more afraid of other animals than we were the road.

Rubin was an amazing cat.  He was the most social, loving, and affectionate cat I've known.  He behaved like a dog, and was social like a person.  He was extremely happy, carefree, and absolutely loved the outdoors, water, and playing "alarm clock".  He was a part of our little family, and he will never be forgotten.  We were with him for two amazing years, and while I wish it was 22 years before we had to say goodbye, I'm grateful nonetheless.  Rubin was a Maine Coon, and showed us both a whole different side to cats that we never knew about. So I'm very thankful.

I'm sure to some it's easy to think "It's just a cat" or that I'm being dramatic, but I  know many of you also understand that these animals we share our lives with become so close to our hearts, that losing them is extremely painful. 

So hug your animals a little tighter, appreciate them, spoil the hell out of them and do whatever you can to keep them safe.  They are all so special.

Rest in peace little guy, we love you and miss you so much.