Rags
8/8/89 – 3/30/09
Rags ©2006 Elaina G Photography
Rags ©2006 Elaina G Photography
Rags (I have various names for him – including, but not limited to: Naggle, Freegie, Poo, Raggle Raggle) was given to my siblings and me for Christmas in 1989 with his brother, Cosby. He and his half brother, Cosby, were replacements for my very first Ragdoll, Skittles, who died at 2 years of age from FIP. Cosby died at 10 months old of FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis). The vet told us then that Naggle had probably been exposed to the disease, and would never be affected by it since he hadn’t technically “caught it”. Thank goodness! Rags came from Ragnarok Cattery in Mira Loma, CA. When we adopted Cosby and Rags, they were unable to tell us which kitten was which, but they did have the same father. Here are the pedigrees that we received for Cosby and Rags:
After two Ragdoll deaths in a little more than 2 years was all our family could take. Rags would end up being my best friend and companion and the reason that I moved back home after college.
And so it went that he lived, and I entertained him and myself by dressing him in Cabbage Patch clothes, putting him in the pool, putting him in baby carriages, bringing him with me on the jetskis, etc. (Hey, I was 10 when we got him!) I really lugged him around everywhere and that’s probably why he was so mellow in public (we went to Petsmart or Petco on occassion when he was feeling well up until about 1 month before he passed) all the time. Well, he did have that fabulous Ragdoll personality that allowed for him to be more docile than other cats in general.
This is Rags and me. This photo was taken for the back cover of my book, Latina Filmmakers and Writers: The Notion of Chicanisma Through Films and Novellas. Photo credit is © Elaina Generally Photography 2007
In December 2005, Rags was diagnosed with lymphoma (he was on his last legs) and was given 4-12 months to live if given chemotherapy. If no chemo, then 4-8 weeks. Rags, technically is my family’s cat (although I have stolen him from for good, because I cannot sleep without him). My mom and I decided to try chemo–yes, some would say it was ridiculous, but I needed to know I tried.
Due to his fantastic internist, Dr. Michael Wasmer, at Mission Med Vet in Mission Med Vet, Rags was treated with two different protocols. He also had surgery three times – the surgeon was Dr. Jayce Lineberger – what an incredible heart this man has!
Caymus and Rags sleeping together. Caymus, the fluffer nutter, loves to sleep with Rags. Learn how we introduced Caymus and Murphy to Rags when he was 15-years old: Introducing New Cats into Your Household.
As you can see, Rags responded very well to his chemo protocol and obviously outlived his diagnosis (Rags’ life was finally taken from his kidney failure)…in fact he lived another 3.25 years after the cancer diagnosis! I was thrilled and he puzzled all the doctors…who would tell me, “I don’t know what to tell you about that cat anymore–he’s incredible”. Of course, he had three surgeries to remove tumors–so there was a lot of help. During the last surgery, right before New Year’s 2007, they found a tumor in his liver which they could not remove, but it was benign.
Here is the picture of that tumor. You can tell where the tumor is because of the white instrument that is pointing to it.
Due to Rags’ Lymphoma and just because he was an old kitty, he had his blood drawn routinely every three months.
Rags’ medical records from when he was going through his chemo protcol are included Rags’ lymphoma page.
In 2004, I searched on the Internet to find two Ragdoll kittens for my parents (all in an effort to eventually steal Rags from my parents). My family adopted two from Bluegrass Rags in Kentucky. They are Caymus and Murphy and live with my parents. I fell madly in love with them both. Surprisingly enough at the age of 15 (and being an only cat nearly his entire life), Rags was very accepting of the kittens –no peeing as a result!
Rags was never much fond of toys or treats. But at the age of 15, Santa(i.e., my mom) purchased Rags a Yeowww! Catnip Banana
. And it was a hit. He, at the age of 18.5, still played with it on a daily basis. You can buy a catnip banana by clicking below. Good luck and let me know if your cat is the same way! Oh, and yes, Caymus and Murphy like them too!
Mission Med Vet – Where Rags’ Lymphoma was Treated
This is Freegie Pooh (what I affectionately call him) near Christmas 2007. He is 18 in this photo!
Rags is 8 years old in this photo, which was taken by my mom–great photo, eh?
MORE PHOTOS OF RAGS
Rags Videos
Rags is the oldest Ragdoll cat that I know of. Should you know of an older Ragdoll cat, please contact Floppycats.com
Check out the procedures that Rags has received:
• Dental 4-22-08
• Dental 9-23-08
• Lymphoma
• Blood Draw
• Enema
• B12 Shots/Acupressure
• Administering Fluids
• Bath
I am currently looking for descendants of Rags’ father, Ragnarok’s Thor. If your cat is breeding or you know of a cat that is breeding that is a decedent of him, please contact me.
If you want to learn more about Rags on this website, please feel free to visit the following pages:
- Analog Remedies – His Evaluation
- More Photos
- Ode to Rags
- B12 Shots
- Dental on 9-23-08
- Dental on 4-22-08
- Links to Other Websites where he Appears
- Lymphoma – from diagnosis to recovery
- 19th Birthday
- Videos
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
What an amazing story. I am sitting here with tears running down my face. We just put our kitty Lilo to sleep in late Feb. for the same exact reason. He was fine one day and almost completly gone the next. They found a tumor the size of an orange in his belly and multiple masses in one of his kidneys. He was such a great companion and we miss him so much. He was just a few months short of being 9. You are very fortunate to have had 20 years with Rags. I now wonder if surgey would have helped. Although the vet said he didn’t think it would, I now am second guessing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story
It’s been awhile since someone commented on Mr. Raggies’ page!
I am sorry to here of Lilo. Putting them down is the worst thing ever and losing him that quickly is NOT fun.
Yes, I was very fortunate to have my Raggies for 20 years. I did lose my first cat, Skittles at almost 2 years old and Rags’ brother at 10 months old, so I think it was my turn to have a cat that lived a long time. Man, I MISS HIM!
Raggies didn’t have masses in his kidneys, so I am not sure about surgery and kidneys. They didn’t think Rags was long for this world, but he told me he was and thank god my dad was willing to try.
Oh how Im so sorry for your loss. I too have a ragdoll his name is Marley. Marley is nothing like the internet said he would be. Marley loves to tear his toys up and anything else that he can get into. Docile…no way. This cat loves to be up high…as high as he can be. We have a cat tree that goes all the way up to the ceiling..9ft ceilings too.
Marley is not like my other kitties either. He will not eat tuna because he does not want to mess his pretty face up. Hes a very clean kitty. Treats…no he does not want treats either.All the other cats eat the treats but not Marley. Marley is a very unique kitty. I love ragdolls and maine coons. Both of these breeds are not like regular kitties. Drop by my website and you can get to know my Marley.
Rags was an incredibly clean kitty too. Marley is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing him with me.
Your cats are beautiful Melody, Thank you so much for sharing.
Marley saids Thank You!!!
Great story . I was going through really tough times the past 6 months and started looking for a cat to ease the pain that when i met the ragdolls . i fell in love fast and started looking for one but this breed dont exist in Saudi Arabia .The search for a ragdoll took 4 months but no hope of finding one . one week ago i got a 5 months old himylain moon face male cat . He is really a sweet heart and floppy too. I think there is a rag deep inside of him .
I really envy you US people for having these wonderful creatures .
Rags was such a cool cat, I’d do anything to have him back. Thank you. Ragdolls are actually found all over the world. I know there are a number of breeders in Europe and Australia as well as South Africa. I’d love to see your Himi – would you be up for sharing a short story and a photo? http://blog.floppycats.com/blog/landing-pages/0/0/ragdoll-cat-stories%20Save%20Page
I loved reading your site. I LOVE ragdolls. We had one that our oldest daughter won in a fall festival raffle at her Middle school many yrs ago. She couldn’t think of a name for him so she named him “Raffle”. Raffle was THE BEST CAT EVER!!! Our entire family fell so madly in love with him….even extended family and ALL of our friends. My niece (age 2 at the time) would try to pick him up and carry him around his neck…..YIKES. (of course we stopped her) But, Raffle NEVER so much as growled. He just hung there looking at us like “Please, can someone save me?” As he got older I believe that Raffle thought he was a dog. Whenever someone would knock on our front door, he would sit by the door and growl. So funny.
My husband (John) had been in there a few hours prior and at that time, Raffle lifted his head upon hearing John enter the room. John said hello to him and pet him.
We had Raffle for 11 (ELEVEN) WONDERFUL & LOVE FILLED Years. He died VERY suddenly one day and we never knew why. He was sleeping on our bed, as he always did, between mine and my husband’s pillows – he would wiggle himself under the covers
Then a few hours later when John went to go to bed he called me from the kitchen where I was with my mother who was visiting. I went to our room and he told me “Raffle is dead in our bed”………WHAT?!!!! We all LOST OUR MINDS that night. We thought that he was immortal of course…..He had absolutely NO signs of anything being wrong with him. It was a COMPLETE SHOCK to us all. That was 5 LONG yrs ago. We miss him everyday. To this day I find myself looking online occasionally for another cat that looks like Raffle because he was so beautiful. This is what I was doing today and how I ended up stumbling upon your website. Raffle looked VERY MUCH like your Rags only with shorted hair and the dark on his legs went all the way to his feet (no white feet).
I feel your pain and I pray you find Rags’ decedents that you are looking for. Good luck and thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story with us.
Thanks, Maria. I am sorry to hear about Raffle – what a way to lose him. That would be really hard. Sounds like Raffle was a seal colorpoint – that’s what Rags would have been without his mitts.
I did find descendents of Rags – Trigg and ended up getting Charlie was the same breeder as Trigg.
Floppycats features a new Ragdoll every week as Ragdoll of the Week every Monday – so you can read more stories. Of course, you can always share Raffle if you want!
Yes, Raffle was a seal colorpoint. He got very dark as he got older.
He came with one yr free vet care, was neutered, had all shots, etc.
He was not only the best cat there ever was in my lifetime, but he was practically FREE. Can you imagine. He was found near a dumpster with his siblings and mother. Someone called the area vet who came and took them. He donated Raffle to the schools fall festival Raffle. The best Dollar we ever spent
I will have to dig up some pictures (or take some out of frames) and post them for you. How would I go about doing that or “sharing Raffle” as you said. In the blog section? Still getting to know your site. Thanks
Actually, Maria, Ragdoll of the Week is all done through e-mail and I post them to the site – here are the guidelines – http://www.floppycats.com/ragdoll-of-the-week.html and instructions on what to do.
That’s a great story about him.