The one whose fur would be dampened by our tears as he snuggled peacefully by our side just to offer us comfort.
The one who would make us laugh til our sides ached at all of his kitty crazies and craziness.
The one who you swore that " there was no other cat out there quite like him" (isn't it funny how we ALL say that about our cats?)
The Rainbow Bridge
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross The Rainbow Bridge together.... "
Author unknown...
A Pet's Ten Commandments
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me, it's crucial for my well being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, entertainment, but I only have you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Am I getting the right food, have I been in the sun too long, or is my heart getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.
10. On the diffucult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
From the Wyoming County SPCA Website.
I participate in the SATURDAY PET BLOGGER BLOG HOP!! (can't figure out how to get the widget on!)
Your Bobo was a beautiful boy! These anniversaries are always hard. Thinking about you today as you remember Bobo.
ReplyDeleteIngrid thank you so much! In both of the pictures he was already quite old.
ReplyDeleteFrankly I didn't do him justice with this tribute (I wrote it at 1am...should have waited)....he was truly an incredible cat (as they all are, right?)
just beautiful Car, it's so hard to say goodbye to a faithful friend, we prolonged the inevitable w/ our smokey, such a great guy- thanks so much Ms. Z.
ReplyDeleteMs.Z I am so sorry! When did Smokey pass? Did I know this? Was it recent? I am sooo sorry!!
ReplyDeleteActually in reference to this post I feel as if I "short-changed" Bobo. I didn't even begin to cover what he meant to me. It surprised me that even 3 years later as I attempted to write a tribute to him I was still too overcome with grief to write the words without breaking down. He was with me 18 wonderful, sad and silly years.
I didn't want to go into detail about his illness the last three years of his life (heart disease)...too painful to remember, didn't want to recall his last few days. To this day I ponder the question "did I do enough to save him?" I comfort myself with the fact that the vet said "it was time, if I didn't do it now I may wake up to something awful" Bobo deserved more than that....I always said when he stopped eating I would "know" (He loved his food like his Mama!) He had stopped eating 2 days before, he had gone deaf, he lost control of his bladder...at 18 I didn't want him to suffer any longer...anyway, that is enough from me.
Thanks for commenting and for reading and hugs to you....tell me about Smokey
Thanks for such a beautiful post, Caren! There's definitely no expiration date on all those feelings of loss, is there? And, of course, the more special that certain someone is/was to us, the more intensely we will always mourn the absence.
ReplyDeleteI lost my own "soul kitty" in January 2000, and to this day, cannot write about him without tears streaming down my face. Dino was a non-pedigreed Ragdoll, and was *my* baby from that very first car-ride home. He wanted to be with me all the time, and his favorite thing was to be in my face... snuggling on my chest on the sofa, standing on his hind legs to give me "pony boots" in the air, or sleeping across my neck, forehead, or right across my face in bed. When he got sick at the much-too-young age of 9, we were heartbroken; intestinal cancer doesn't have a good prognosis. Still, we were able--through a combination of a surgically-implanted G/I feeding tube in his tummy and chemotherapy treatments--to enjoy another three months together... three precious months I'm sure neither of us would have traded for the world.
Holding Dino on my lap as we said our final goodbye was the hardest thing I've ever done (or will ever likely do), yet I wouldn't change a thing (short of him experiencing a miraculous, permanent remission); the love my soul kitty and I shared will live--in my heart and in my memories--for all eternity. ~Diana
Sweet post, Caren. Yes, we've all had our 'soul cats' (or dogs). Mine was my beloved Flinx. Oddly, he was a non-pedigree Maine Coon, like Diana's Dino above was a ragdoll. Who needs a pedigree anyway, right?
ReplyDeleteFlinx chose me. He worked his green-eyed magic on me when he was a little kitten of 3 months. I already had 4 cats; I didn't need another. But one silent meow, one tiny kiss on the cheek, one sleepy purr, and I was done for. He became my best bud and followed me from room to room. His favorite place to rest was on the back of the couch with his head on my shoulder. He would share my pillow at night. He wasn't very bright but he was sweetness and love personified.
I lost Flinx in 2007 at just shy of 16 years old. He had an agressively malignant abdominal tumor of unknown origin that I chose not to pursue treatment of. Using paliatives, we shared a wonderful, pain free 4 months until the tumor shut his kidneys down. When the time came, we had both made peace with the inevitable and his was the gentlest of passings. A big piece of my heart went with him.
I used to have a stone in my yard that had the most wonderful quote on it. It makes me cry but I love it.
"If tears could build a stairway
And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven
And bring you home again."
-Anastasia
GlamKitty, I read your post and it completely brought me to tears. I am so very, very sorry about the loss of Dino. You lost him way too soon...how blessed I was to have had Bobo 18 yrs. I am sure in Dino's short life he experienced more love than he could have ever hoped for! I loved your description of all of the things that he did with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your story about Dino, I know my Bobo has made some wonderful friends over The Rainbow Bridge and Dino is one of them!
That is a wonderful tribute to Bobo. It is so hard to lose any animal just because they are not around long enough. I still miss all of mine. I have many go to the bridge. Bobo was a very handsome boy and it sounds like your best friend. Animals are the best and cats are the very best. Although I have had some mighty good dogs.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you. We are here from the blog hop.
Have a great Fourth of July.
Anastasia thank YOU as well for your beautiful story about Flinx. My Cody does the same thing when I sit in a chair (he doesn't do it when I am on a couch, he sits on my lap then) but when I am in a chair he has to be behind me with his head on my shoulder. My husband says it is like a pirate and a parrot lol.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about the loss of Flinx....I did have to chuckle though when you said "he wasn't too bright", it was just funny!!!
I love the poem you posted and thanks so much for sharing!!
Marg it is such a pleasure to meet you! Thanks for stopping by and for commenting. I LOVE the Blog Hop! Can't post the widget on my page (although I am still trying to figure out a way to do it) with my blog being housed on a newspaper website I don't know how to get a widget on it!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about all of your pets who have crossed The Rainbow Bridge but at least I know my Bobo is being taken care of by some darned good ones!
Have a happy and safe 4th and enjoy THE BLOG HOP!
What a lovely tribute to your Bobo. Losing a beloved kitty is so hard. The good thing is it gives us more room to bring new furballs home to love!
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the Blog Hop. It's nice to meet another cat lover! Happy holiday weekend! meow
Jill it is such a pleasure to meet you as well! Thanks so much for stopping by from the Blog Hop and for commenting it is much appreciated! Yes it is always nice to meet another Cat lover! Have a happy and safe 4th!!!
ReplyDelete