In Loving Memory

Rufus was born on Wednesday, August 1, 2007, in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn and was rescued by the Brooklyn Animal Care Center (who gave him the name "Leo" based on the month he was born in. On November 24, 2007, he was adopted by Coach Lou and Mz. Doc on the same day along with Chaka, his sister from another mister! He got the names "Rufus" and "Nyheim" from his "Dad", Coach Lou.

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The shelter had warned that it would not be a good idea to adopt Rufus and Chaka together. Rufus was a feral cat and was considered mild mannered and withdrawn, whereas Chaka was immediately classified as hyper. It was said that the two would not bond together or would team up together against their human "pawrents". Undaunted, both cats were adopted on the same day, and it was Chaka who helped Rufus quickly acclimate to their new home. Rufus then began to fiercely guard his home and all the people in it.

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Rufus was a quiet storm of mayhem and sweetness all rolled up into one fat cat, but he couldn't survive a broken heart. Chaka passed away nine months to the day that Rufus left our earthly lives, and we choose to believe that when he closed his eyes in Mz. Doc's arms, he opened them in front of Chaka and likely began chasing her immediately. 

 

In addition to daily battles with Chaka (usually over a box or Mz. Doc's lap), he loved running from Coach Lou but chasing Mz. Doc through the house and playing "hide and go seek". He loved watching football (and like Mz. Doc was a NY Jets fan). He also enjoyed sitting next to Mz. Doc and Chaka to watch Tom & Jerry. Like Chaka, Rufus was also an avid "lap" cat, often sitting on Mz. Doc's lap for hours at a time usually listening to jazz music (specifically Norman Brown). He faithfully watched all of the Charlie Brown cartoons during the major holidays as well as Sunday morning worship services. Rufus would be sure to wake Mz. Doc up for his morning feeding, preferring "treats" as an appetizer to his full meal. 

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As with Coach Lou, Mz. Doc rarely called Rufus or Chaka by their names, but no matter what they were called, they always responded. Rufus' names included "Man-Man", "Boppy", "Papa-Dootz", "Lil' Man", "Boots", "Woofie" and "Man" (the name given to her by Coach Lou). He always came when he was called and always ensured that Mz. Doc was good, even if she wasn't good at the time.

 

Thankfully, Mz. Doc and Coach Lou recorded many of their antics from an early age. Some acts of mischief and scuffles with Chaka are memorialized on their Instagram page @wearetheherreracats and these videos bring the family and those who knew him a sense of joy. Once Coach Lou made his transition, Mz. Doc decided to memorialize the family as logo assets for SoulPhamm.

 

An integral part of the Herrera clan, Rufus represented stability and consistency, but also brought immense love, joy, mischief and laughter into their lives. As with Chaka and Coach Lou, Rufus's presence is deeply missed.

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​​At the age of 18, cradled in Mz. Doc's arms while she sang to him, Rufus made his transition on Monday, October 6th at 10:32pm, leaving Mz. Doc and the rest of us to celebrate his life and legacy!  Rest easy Woofie!