Monday, December 26, 2005

A Tribute To Michelle's "Kitty" Who Live At The Bridge

Farewell to a feline friend


By MICHELLE FERRIER
CHASING RAINBOWS

Last update: December 20, 2005

Even after 18 years, I underestimate how much she is a part of my life, my family's life. Each week, as I type my columns for the newspaper, Kitty is under my feet and on most days her beautiful grey-and-white, tiger-striped fur manages to avoid the rollers on my office chair.

Kitty ingratiates herself into my most intimate spaces. At night, she can be found under my bed, her soft snoring lulling me to sleep. In the mornings, she perches outside the shower, daring me to drip water from my feet on her as I try to find a place on the bath mat. She sits at my feet, faithful even with the business at hand.

She came to us accidentally, finding her way as a small kitten onto the deck of our city townhouse. As professed dog lovers, we took her in only long enough to find her a home elsewhere. A committee of three came up with the creative name of Kitty, Ms. Kitty for her more formal papers. The name stuck, and so didKitty -- for 18 years.

It's been a week since Kitty passed away late at night, as my husband and I talked about how much she had been resting lately. I picked her up to feel her skin and body for any bumps, signs of pain. She tolerated my probings, wriggled herself away just a few feet, then lay down again behind a chair. We heard a bump. Kitty had tried to rise, fell against our bedroom doorway, and lay there.

I was petting her and softly calling her name as she took her last breaths. I realized the pounding I felt wasn't her heartbeat, but my own heart now in my hands. I lifted them to see that the soft rise and fall of her fur had stopped. Then, the tears began to fall in earnest, wetting her fur as I realized Kitty was gone.

I cried most of the night, as I lined a plastic storage bin with soft fake fur from our Christmas village display and some scraps of fabric from the children as her final resting place. I wanted the kids to see her nestled lovingly among fabrics that had been important in their lives. My body heaved for hours as I tried to think about our family life without Kitty.

Kitty had been to the vet a couple of times this past year, giving us quite a scare each time. I had taken those opportunities to talk to my kids about a time when Kitty would be gone. We discussed burial versus cremation and other funeral plans. Even though it was difficult at the time, I explained that it was important to talk about these things instead of trying to make decisions in the midst of our grief later on.

I was so grateful, as I lay in bed that night, for those conversations. I think it eased a little of the shock and mystery of the events of this past week and allowed each of us to say goodbye without having to think about what would happen next.

My son talked to Kitty the next day, stroking her still form, sharing his grief.

"Kitty, you taught me about love, and death, and about not taking people and those around you for granted," he said through his tears. "You gave me such a gift. You are continuing to teach me, even now."

Every day, we are reminded of the spaces that Kitty filled with unconditional love -- constantly, faithfully, unwaveringly. Now, they are big gaping holes that we pray time will heal. Goodbye, goodbye, my sister, my confidante, my friend.

michelle.ferrier@news-jrnl.com

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

A Beautiful Christmas Story For Angel Pets~

Thanks to a dear friend for this beautiful addition to the journal. Have a wonderful holiday season to all our readers. Please feel free to share this link with your friends and family.

Joy and Peace to everyone!

Jo

CHRISTMAS STORY

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Memorial To Clyders -For Mary

1996 to December 17, 2005  

Clyde joined his friends and cagemates at the bridge this morning at 5:10AM PT. He was a very sweet 9 year old sable male who has joined his friends Bear, Boozer, Sage, Stinky, Tweaky and the ferret love of his life Missy Bon who went to the bridge on May 13, 2005.  

Clyde loved all his treats and loved to snuggle with his many friends in anything soft. He was such a sweet little guy, he was loved by many and will be greatly missed as he starts his journey at the bridge.   He went to the bridge quietly in his human daddy's arms. He was suffering from CHF, fluid on his left lung, a prolapsed rectum, and a heart murmur.  

Go with God our little Love, thank you for blessing our lives for almost five years. We will surely miss the OG's of the OC. Give Missy Bon a kiss from us and tell all our babies we love them and miss them something terrible.  

Love You Always, Mommy and Daddy  

Saturday, December 17, 2005

A Magnificent Hurricane Rescue Story!

This is so sweet!

The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy that someone had

taken under their wing, but weren't equipped to adopt! 

so Ralphie, scared and nearly starved joined the rescuers...

I wouldn't think anything could live thru this...

but this kind lady did...

Dog #2..... scared, but safe :)

and no longer alone! "Instant Buddies"

Add two more beagles...

The more the merrier...


hmmmmm- a new traveler is added to the mix...
(note: the cat coming over the seat to visit...)- how is this going to work???

It's going to work just fine, thank you!


Life is Good!

Hope this brings a little sunshine to your day! 




Monday, December 12, 2005

Rolling Dog Ranch- Sanctuary For Handicapped Animals

It takes a special hand and heart to care for a pet that is handicapped. A dear friend shared this website with me and I wanted to include it in this journal, to give them the credit and visibility that they deserve for the excellent work they are doing for these special fur babies.


It is certainly one of the most incredible Animal Sanctuaries that I have seen. Please feel free to share it with your friends, and explore their site in depth. Your heart will be warmed as you read about them and see the valuable contribution they are making to the animals that need their care.

They are doing such important work!

ROLLING DOG RANCH

Thursday, December 1, 2005

In Memory Of Kitty: For DragonRose3911

Born: July 29th 1985

Died: July 31st, 2004

To Kitty,

I was born the day you were. You were my angel. It was a miracle we found each other. Ever since then you were with me. Through my terrible twos, on to my teenage years, and up until college you were there. You slept beside me every night, curled up like you always were underneath the covers as your head rested on my arm. You truly were my angel. We had a wonderful 19 years together. I always thought we would have been together forever, since we were together at birth. But God decided to take you home. You needed the rest, the vacation. So Ill go on, although its hard, and Ill meet you by that rainbow bridge one day. I miss you. I love you.

Love Always

Your sister,
Felicia