Rhubarb Lost Her Fight

In 1997, I was still living at home with my mother. One cold Sunday morning, the cries of a kitten woke my mother. She sent my brother under the house looking for the kitten. She finally found her in the bed of my brother's truck under a tarp. Some terrible person had put her there. She came into my room with her wrapped in a washcloth. We knew by her size she was too small to be away from her kitty mom. I went to the store and got a bottle and milk. We raised Rhubarb by hand and soon found out what a strong willed little kittlen she was. Rhubarb did everything on her terms. You could pet her when she wanted to be petted and no other time. We knew what a hard time she had had as a baby and respected her. We enjoyed any attention we received from her.
In the fall of 2005, Rhubarb's health took a major turn for the worse. She had developed heart problems. The vet did not expect her to live. She did not want to go yet and pulled through. She never got better after that, but she had not gotten worse. Untill the last couple of months. She just kept going down and we knew it was a matter of time before we lost her. Mom told me a couple of weeks ago, she did not want Rhubarb to suffer. I knew what she meant and did not want to think about it, even though I did.
Rhubarb made the decision for us tonight. She quit breathing. She peacefully passed over the bridge. We are very sad, but are also happy now that Rhubarb is finally at peace.

Rhubarb, we love you and will miss you!!!