Dear Friends,
On May 11, Ripley was diagnosed with inoperable stomach cancer. Though she didn't seem to be in any pain, the cancer left her unable to eat or drink any appreciable amount. On May 12, with Alan and Jude at her side, Ripley passed away. During her last few days Ripley continued to be her usual cuddly, demanding, aloof, wonderful self and we are thankful that her time was spent in relative comfort and happiness.
She will be missed terribly and we are all so very grateful for the extra few years we had with her.
Ripley has touched many lives during her tenure at Borderlands, and thus we have created this blog as a resource for friends of the store and of Ripley to share memories and get as much (or as little) information as you like. If you are so moved, please post messages to the staff or reminiscences here. We will update you as news becomes available.
The staff of Borderlands Books and Café would ask that you please give them some time to deal with this sudden loss. Your thoughts and kindness are much appreciated, and we look forward to hearing from all of you but the best and kindest thing to do for now would be to wait and give them some time to heal.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
-The Borderlands Staff / Moderator
thanks so much for sharing your wonderous ripley with us. stopping in for a visit with her was such a highlight of our weekends.
ReplyDeletejed and wickie
I fell hard for Ripley the first time I met her. There was more than one time where I made sure to go to Boderlands just to visit her. Thank you for loving her so well and letting your patrons do the same. I'll have to go to Boderlands for the books now...
ReplyDeleteI brought my stepkids in to meet Ripley and it was a great funny bonding moment, I don't know why. Ripley really brought us together. She was a wonderful cat and I visited her often. Thank you guys.
ReplyDeleteI met Ripley when I arrived in San Francisco a year and a half ago shortly after getting married to my husband who is a Borderlands regular. I was touched by the fact that she jumped on my lap to be petted and cuddled. I enjoyed saying hello to her on following visits and I will miss her loads.
ReplyDeleteLast year I brought my sister to Borderlands for a happy afternoon of sitting on the floor and taking dozens of cellphone pictures with Ripley, whose mystique seemed to augur something amazing. She was so friendly and gentle, taking turns sitting on our laps and kneading with her delicate paws.
ReplyDeleteMy partner and I always loved stopping by when we were in the Mission to pay Ripley a visit. We found her magical, and felt that she had the quality of a creature who crossed species boundaries freely and with great grace. We were terribly sad to learn that she had passed and send you our sincere condolences.
I am a self-professed "dog-person" but as an overall animal lover, always enjoyed knowing if Ripley was "in" or "out". On occasional walks by Borderlands, I would take note, and then yell out "THE CAT IS IN!" or "THE CAT IS OUT!" according to your sign. It was a comfort of sorts.
ReplyDeleteFor various reasons, not too many walks by Borderlands over the summer, and last month I was disappointed to see no sign. I had wondered what happened and now knowing, I am saddened.
I'm sorry for the staff's loss... She will be missed...