After a month of being with her owner, Kermie’s bad breath forced her to visit the vet. Kermi had cancer, which wasn’t good news. Kermie’s life was only expected to last two or three months, but she had other ideas. Until her owner’s nine-month tenure ended, she resisted sleep.
US Navy Sanatorium Master Commander Eric Ralston was stationed there in March last year. When his wife discovered that 11-year-old Kermi’s breathing was becoming visibly bad, she took Kermi for a check-up after a month at the center.
Kermi was discovered to have oral cancer after his condition was assessed, and forecasters estimated he only had two to three months to live. According to Jennifer Ralston, “We were distraught, to put it mildly. Kermi was our first child, and we assumed Eric would never see her again. Without seeing Eric, Kermi wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye.”
The family began to feel hopeful that Kerme would be able to see Eric again after three months had passed and Kerme was still around as Eric’s work was coming to an end. They made the decision to help her see Eric one last time.
Eric’s deployment has also been extended, giving him an additional 12 days before he returns home. The Ralstons were concerned that Kermie would not survive until Christmas when Eric eventually returned home due to the impending holidays. Despite the difficulties, Kermi was determined to overcome them. Kermi was present when Eric arrived home several days before Christmas. She was seen walking out of the house into Eric’s arms while wearing a red bow for the camera.
Kermie had previously felt as if she was nearing the end of her days, but with Eric’s return, she had a new life. Jennifer noted that for her, his return home was a kind of magic aid. Without a fight, she resumed her previous eating and drinking habits. By January, Kermie was 12 years old, but by February, everything was starting to go south for Kermie. “We knew it was time for the good days and good hours to come,” Jennifer stated. Kermie died of cancer on February 22. Her family members were by her side, including Eric.
