Gone to the Rainbow Bridge
A Tale of Three Kitties
This is a tale of three kitties - Cybil, Cecil and Celeste. They came to us last summer in a succession over a period of several weeks. Cybil was a tiny gray tabby caught in a friendly trap under a trailer where she had been abandoned. She hissed and growled for months, terrified of everything. Cecil, a round-faced gray and white little fellow, was found in a ditch. He was said to be wild, but that was far from the truth for this budding Morris who was simply his own person but very congenial. Celeste lived up to her name as a very celestial kitty - beautiful and sweet. She had been brought to the animal clinic to be euthanized.
These gray kittens all arrived shortly after the loss of Malkin, our cat of seventeen years. Malkin had been named for Gray Malkin the cat in Macbeth. She was rescued when a tiny kitty by our grandson, Reb, and she grew to be a large gray cat with very soft, thick hair. We called her the Powder Puff Cat and Queen Malkin because she was always convinced of her own royalty. She was our beautiful, loving cat who stayed young looking and acting for all her days.
Then suddenly without a sign of illness, Malkin was dead. We were devastated.
I have often spoken with people who have lost a beloved pet. I listen to their painful stories with tears rolling down my face. All I can say to them is, "There are so many in need. Help another one. No, you are not replacing the lost loved one. Reach out to another one who needs you. It will help."
My words came back to haunt me as I looked at the three gray kitties, and I thought, "You are so precious, but you can't replace Malkin. I want her back. You see, I didn't know she was leaving, and I need to hold her one more time and tell her I love her."
There are no good answers for coping with the loss of a loved companion animals. From our experience, the hurt will be there forever. The best that we have to offer is: take time to grieve, remember them often, well and fondly, and then honor their memory by saving a life. And most important of all, listen to your heart because we know that your loved animal will guide your way.
Cecil and Celeste were both adopted #and went to live in very fine homes. Cybil had many sympathizers but was never chosen and so she has stayed with us. In spite of her terrified beginnings she has become the most dauntless cat we have known. We adore our enchanting, entertaining Cybil.
This is a tribute to you Malkin. We love you and we miss you. You live in our hearts and nothing can ever take your place. You are waiting at the Bridge and we will again hold you and touch your soft hair. How happy we all will be
.
Just this side of Heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies who has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can 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 time gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing - they miss someone very special who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
More . . .
When a person who has given tirelessly and made it their life's work to save and succor abandoned animals and find them happy homes comes to the bridge, first one animal will stop and look into the distance, then more and more will look up and watch. For this is a person all the animals know about. As they have waited for their loved one(s), they have told the story of their rescue from loneliness, neglect and impending death, and the wonderful people who helped them until a special loved one could be found. Oh special friend of animals, you have been spotted, and all the dogs and other animal friends will run over the fields to thank the person who has enabled so many to have had good lives and memories. Then, will they all walk to the gate of St. Peter and say, "This is a person whose name is surely entered on the roll once for each of us whose life was changed." Then those friends who will be forever together step forward and, to the sound of great rejoicing from all the animals, cross the bridge together.
Written by Darla Fonseca
Anguished Remembrance of Mollie Rae
Written by Senator Ernie Chambers
Tad, adopted from HUA in 1997, sadly passed to the bridge in August of 2008. His wonderful family writes this about Tad: "He was ever the sweetest most patient pet one could ever wish for. We shall miss him deeply. Gerald and Winonah McGee" We thank the McGee's for giving Tad such a wonderful life and being with him until the end.
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