It was then that I found out for the first time that not getting them fixed early would probably lead to cancer. So I got her fixed and the tumors removed. They expected that she would live only another 2 years. I was lucky that she lived another 4 years. But in April of 2025 she got tumors again. Even though she was fixed again the life expectancy was not great. I hoped they were wrong again and I would have a few more years with her. She got tumors again on July 14, 2025 at which point I knew there was not point to give her the surgery again because it would just keep coming back and be painful for her. When the tumors ruptured in August I put her to sleep, which was the hardest choice I ever had, but I knew it was right for her to keep her from suffering.

On July 26, 2025 I got a grey tabby (Maple) to help me deal with the coming death of Ripple. A stray tortie very much like Ripple was found in the road by my mom, stayed with me for a week and then the owner came for her. It felt like losing Ripple all over again. So I went and got another tortie kitten from the SPCA named Buttercup. I love my elder cat Sherbet (15 yo orange tabby) but she had a lot of medical problems after Ripple died and I thought she would die too, not long after Ripple. Luckily I still have Sherbet, Maple and Buttercup but the loss of Ripple and my guilt still remains.

Ripple was sort of an emotional support kitty too which makes it even harder.