Cathy was my sister in law. I met her when her brother, Jerry and I began dating. She was 16. I knew immediately that we shared a love for animals. Cathy was raising chinchillas back then. I had never seen a real life chinchilla, much less known someone who owned any. I was thrilled to see them. Later, I would get to see the beautiful cockatiels she raised. As a young woman, Cathy got her first horse, Phyllis. She later had her first foal, Sport, through Phyllis. She loved those horses immensely and I think they were her favorites of all her mules and horses that followed. When she started her grooming business, Woof Washers, I knew it would be a labor of love.
Cathy was one of the strongest people I had ever met. She pulled me out of a smoking car after a wreck on I-75 in North GA. Someone going in the other direction lost control and sped across the median hitting our car, loaded with 5 people and towing a camping RV. I was dazed from a concussion and hysterical over everyone's injuries. She came to my side, telling me to get out of the car as it was smoking. I wouldn't get out. She reached under my arms and pulled me out. I always said she'd be a great companion to have if marooned on a desert island. She would build a shelter and a fire, hunt for food, dress it and cook the food on the fire, while the rest of us would still be scratching our heads wondering what to do.
Cathy was unique and one of the most interesting people I ever knew. R.I.P. dear Cathy. You will always be missed.
