Entrant's First Name
Nick

Tell us your Rescue Story
11 years ago this past June I adopted a cat from The Glendale Humane Society by way of Andersen's Pet Shop in Montrose. I named him Ruttiger and together we set off on a life changing journey.

Throughout the course of his life we experienced so many ups and downs yet always managed to find our way together, like good friends always do. He was diabetic from a very early age and while that always presented challenges, it also served as yet another way to bond us. Sadly, we knew that it would one day take him too soon.

He was stubborn, he was loving, he was mischievous, cunning and clever. But he was also so very in tune with those around him. If you were ill or sad, he would stay by your side, for days if necessary, until you perked up. He could also be the most infuriating thing on the planet. I can't even count the times he made me want to pull my hair out due to some ridiculous thing he'd done. But he always had a way of saying sorry without saying anything at all.

I learned so much from him over our 10 years together. Patience, compassion, responsibility. I also learned how to put others before myself and reaped the rewards of an undying loyalty that I can only hope I was able to return to him in some meaningful way.

In the end, as we struggled with that very difficult decision at Studio City Animal Hospital, he looked at us as if to say, "I know, but it's time." And as he slipped away I knew we wouldn't see the likes of him anytime soon, for he was a special creature.

I loved that little fur ball and I miss him terribly. If there's a cat afterlife, he's surely surrounded by all the canned tuna. All of it.