All because of a cat



In October 2025 a sick wounded cat came into our lives. She wandered onto our property on a very cold October day. Later that evening as the temperatures were dropping, we heard little meows coming from outside. When calling out using the universal language of cat, "here, kitty kitty" this little cat jumped into my arms and into my heart. This is where the story begins.



We were a dog couple. We've had dogs for most of our relationship and marriage. We were not used to cats. Really didn't know what to do with a cat. So imagine our surprise when we both fell in love with this little cat and officially became cat lovers.



The morning after this little cat came into our lives, we took her to the vet. We knew she was injured because she had a laceration behind her shoulder blade that was about 2 inches long. It was partially healing but was still an open wound. The Vet gave her antibiotics and some medication to help with worms. We did not know this cat's history but the Vet estimated her to be about six months old so we gave her the birthdate of May 1, 2025, which is the anniversary of the day we met.



A couple weeks later after completing her antibiotics and when we were scheduled to get her vaccinations, Ricki was sick. We found out she had tapeworms. More antibiotics to get her better.



A few weeks later when she was scheduled for her vaccinations, again, she was getting sick.. again. We took her into the vet where she stayed for a week. We were told she was a very sick little kitty, and the Vet was unsure whether Ricki would recover or not. We ended up bringing her home with some medication and she started doing much better.



She finally got well enough to have her vaccinations! Yay!


We scheduled an appointment for her to be spayed. Just prior to her getting spayed. She got extremely sick once again. She was jaundiced and her liver was showing signs of damage. We had no idea what we were fighting. Numerous antibiotics were used, but nothing was helping. Her temperature was always elevated. Numerous tests were performed. She spent two weeks at the vet and she was declining. We made the very sad decision to say goodbye. The morning we get ready to say goodbye, Ricki was very energetic and not ready to leave this world. We took her home basically on what we considered hospice care.



My mom insisted that we get another opinion on what was going on with Ricki and so we did. We took her to another vet and after $1200 plus of tests, X-rays and bloodwork it was discovered she had fungal pneumonia. Not something that can be easily and inexpensively treated.



We knew we did not have the resources for this expensive treatment, and still no guarantee of her being healed. We knew our time with her was going to be short. She was a fighter and she proved that every day.



Her personality was unique. She loved both of us. She always wanted to be with us whether sitting on our lap, on our shoulders, or on our chest, she just wanted to be with us. She was very gentle. She never bit, and she never clawed even while we were giving her belly rubs or head scratches. She loved them.



We started noticing she wasn't feeling well. She wasn't eating as much as normal and she wasn't as energetic as she had been. We knew her body was probably starting to shut down. I made the appointment to take her to the vet. Ricki decided to leave on her own terms and she did not want to see the vet. She died in my arms early Saturday morning, while being loved on, told she was loved, and with my tears falling on her fur. I was heartbroken when she left.



It was a very somber day for me, the day she died. I didn't want to do anything and I was crying throughout the day. Our life was so different with her gone.



Ricki lived with us six months. How is it possible that an animal that we never anticipated getting and loving as much as we did have such a huge impact in such a short time?



While I was getting ready for church on Sunday morning and not wildly excited about going to church or taking a shower or getting dressed or even leaving the house, I looked around and saw all the places where Ricki would hang out. When that question of why would God bring such a sick cat into our lives and take her so soon? I heard that answer. God uses people and he uses animals to put us where we need to be.



If it wasn't for a sick cat, we never would've gone to the vet. If we never went to the vet, we never would've met Diane. Diane never would've invited us to her church. If we never went to that church and started calling it home we never would've met Teresa. If I never would've met Teresa, I wouldn't have gone to the Monday morning and evening Bible study. I never would have started friendships with these wonderful women. Never would've been blessed by women like Diane, Christie, Bev, Sarah, Teresa, so many others I can't name.



We found this church about a month before Andrea, Rick's daughter/my stepdaughter, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. God knew we were going to need support. While Rick spends time with his daughter supporting her and her family; the church is here supporting me. And when Rick is ready to come home, our church will be supporting us.



All because of a cat.



Little Ricki Davis

Est birth date May 1, 2025 - April 18, 2026



She leaves behind her heart broken human parents, Rick and Patrica Davis, and her canine sister Tundra. She is preceded in crossing the rainbow bridge by her canine brother Apollo, and canine sisters, Koko, Sasha, and Kashi.



She will be forever missed.