http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.

So true.

My 17 yr. old kitty died last year, Thanksgiving weekend. From April – October 2008 she lived at my BF’s house. During that time she trained him well. (He had taken to preparing gourmet meals for her!) And yet, she still felt the need to raid his trash can. He had to lock it down tight to keep her from getting to the goodies within.

When she passed, he performed the lovely gesture of building a casket for her, and burying her in the wooded part of his lot.

Spring came this year, the loss of our little pal weighed heavy on our spirits. One night in June, BF reported to me he thought he’d seen our furry buddy. How can that be? I wondered. Turns out a little black cat, tiny and slender, had been showing up in his driveway…and heading straight for the trash can.

Of course it wasn’t she, it was her living on the earth plane double. But we took it as a sign that she was with us in some form or another.

I had to have a beautiful, sensitive St. Bernard put down several years ago and I still get choked up when I think about Barney. A good friend gave us a sympathy card that says it better than anything I can write.

They will not go quietly,
the pets who’ve shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.
Old habits still can make us
think we hear them at the door
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.
Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.
And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them…and always will.

It never really stops hurting; time just eases it some. Remember the good times.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When a pet 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 Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown…

And to everyone who has shared their fuzzy one’s stories thank you. Writing it down makes it seem so final and even months later is hard to do. But reading those stories reminds us all of loved ones on the other side.

People say it is just like a family member but it isn’t. Our pets have trained us to the best of their abilities. We are the door men, and the wait staff, and the centers of their universe.

It feels like I am here, but not. I am grieving. How do you tell the grocery girl, shhhhh, be gentle please, I am not so up to counting change with this lump, this ache, this sigh of sadness. Quiet please, all ye bloggers and voices of contention, for something precious has passed from us.

We share this with you and no one can take it away.
God bless.