Pet Loss Packet

[feemandvm]

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”

-Anabele France

 

 

The loss of a pet can often be as devastating as the loss of a human family member. Our pets find ways of working their way into our families and becoming more than just pets, but actual members of the family. Pets teach us a great many things about unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, living each day moment to moment, not holding grudges and to take joy in the simple things in life. Their love and companionship brightens everyday that we spend with them which makes their loss all the more troubling. Having lost pets ourselves, these are some ideas that we have come up with over the years to help ease the feeling of loss:

1. Baked clay pawprints with your dog’s name can be obtained at Animal Medical Centre of Medina. Please ask a technician if you are interested in this.

2. Share fond memories, funny stories, favorite pictures, etc. with other family members or friends who also shared in your dog’s life. Talking about your loved one is often one of the best ways to deal with the loss.

3. Support staff is available and can be reached by calling “The Pet Loss Hotline” at (614) 292-1823. Their hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. They may be able to put you in touch with a local support group if requested.

4. Have a personalized picture frame created (Things Remembered and many other stores make them) with your pet’s name or a favorite phrase and place it somewhere special in your home.

5. Consider writing a letter to your dog, telling them how special they were and how much you miss them. If you make a picture frame as well… consider placing the letter behind the picture in the frame.

6. Numerous websites are available where you can post pictures and text as memorials to your pets. Most of these sites charge a small fee, part of which is often given to charity. www.rainbowbridge.com

7. Numerous websites are available dealing with grief: http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animate...end/goodbye.asp http://www.deltasociety.org/dsn000.htm

http://www.pet-loss.net/resources/Int.html http://www.aplb.org/

http://www.aplb.org/

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ccab/petloss.html

8. Consider making a scrapbook or photo album with all of your favorite pictures of your dog and/or other memorabilia you have.

9. Consider making or purchasing some type of memorial to keep around the house. Stepping stones, statues etc. can be purchased (Michael’s and many other stores sell them) which can be personalized with your dog’s name and dates of life.

10. There are several children’s books that are available and are good for both adults and children alike. “For Every Dog an Angel” by Christine Davis, “Dog Heaven” by Cynthia Rylant, and “Bailey Bymyside” by Patricia Burlin Kennedy are a few that we recommend.

11. Consider donating money to a charitable cause in your dog’s name.

12. If you choose to have your dog cremated, you can choose to have the ashes returned in an urn. Some owners display the urn in their house while others have buried the urn as a memorial.

13. You can purchase a crystal to hang in a window. Whenever the light hits the crystal and casts a rainbow of colors into the room… you can be reminded of your faithful friend waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

These are all tips that we have learned over the years to help cope with the loss of a pet. We hope that some of these are able to help you during your time of loss. We are always available should you have any questions. If you feel that you are suffering from major depression following the loss of your pet, we recommend consulting with a counselor.

 

A Lifetime Of Love

I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly. You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping.

Making a mess of the house and chewing on everything in sight became a passion, and when I scolded you, you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes.

As you got older, you protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who walked by. When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging. I could always count on you to be there for me. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head.

As you got older, you moved around more slowly. Then, one day, old age finally took its toll, and you couldn’t stand on those wobbly legs anymore. With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet. One last time, you were lying next to me. As the vet led you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say, “Thank you for taking care of me.” I thought, “No, thank you for taking care of me.”

 

Chuck Wells- Palmyra, New York

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that 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 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 a 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…

 

 

 

I went back and sat down by the bed. Miss Stubbs looked out the window for a few minutes, then turned to me. “You know, Mr. Herriot,” she said casually. “It will be my turn next. I have only one fear.” Her expression changed with startling suddenness as if a mask had dropped. A kind of terror flickered in her eyes and she quickly grasped my hand.

“It’s my dogs and cats, Mr. Herriot. I’m afraid I might never see them when I’m gone and it worries me so. You see, I know I’ll be reunited with my parents and my brothers but…”

”Well why not with your animals?”

“That’s just it.” She rocked her head on the pillow and for the first time I saw tears on her cheeks. “They say animals have no souls.”

“Miss Stubbs, I’m afraid I’m a bit foggy on all this,” I said. “But I’m absolutely certain of one thing. Wherever you are going, they are going too.”

She stared at me but her face was calm again. “Thank you, Mr. Herriot, I know you are being honest with me. That’s what you really believe, isn’t it?”

“I do believe it, “ I said. “With all my heart I believe it.”

-James Herriot

 

 

This is my comfort in my affliction that your word has revived me.

-Proverbs 119:50

 

 

All things bright and beautiful

All creatures great and small

All things wise and wonderful

The lord God made them all.

-Gail Frances Alexander

 

 

“The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. The money that a man has he may lose. The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never moves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. When all other friends desert, he remains. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open on alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death”.

–George G. Vest

 

 

"As long as we give them the love they deserve and as much love as we can, we've done what we were supposed to do, and that is Love them for the rest of their lives, however long that may be."

-Jeanette Ambrose

 

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals…

-Proverbs 12:10

 

 

 

 

 

One day… The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together and a little child will lead them.

-Isaiah 11:6

 

 

“The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too”.

-Samuel Butler

 

 

There is a time for everything, and a season for very activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1,2

 

 

“I realize something I did not realize then—how lucky I was compared to so many others who have to face the loss of their animal without other people around them. I, at least, was surrounded by animal people. And I think they’ve got to let the person know that it’s O.K., that grief for a pet is acceptable, it is normal. Unlike some people who have experienced the loss of an animal, I did not believe, even for a moment, that I would never get another. I did know full well that there were just too many animals out there in need of homes for me to take what I have always regarded as the self-indulgent road of saying the heartbreak of the loss of an animal was too much ever to want to go through with it again. To me, such an admission brought up the far more powerful admission that all the wonderful times you had with your animal were not worth the unhappiness at the end”.

-Cleveland Amory

 

 

In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind…

-Job 12:10

 

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions.

-2 Corintheans 1:3,4

 

 

The Price I Pay

The nuzzles that you give to me

you give so often and for free

you never ask a price I pay

to hold you close and let you stay

 

I stroke your ears and hear your purr

and run my hands on silken fur

you gaze on me with eyes of green

the sweetest sight I've ever seen

 

You sleep all still, rolled in a ball

I think this is the thrill of all

and something's happened here within

I feel my head begin to spin

 

And now I know the price I pay

the one I'll pay to let you stay

you hold my heart with furry glove

the price I pay is all my love.

-Mark A. Dye

 

 

“A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours”.

-Anonymous

 

“Everybody’s born so they can learn to live a good life and love others. Animals already know how to do that, so they don’t need to stay as long.”

-Anonymous four year old child

 

 

A Dog's Plea

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend,

for no heart in all the world

is more grateful for kindness

than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick,

for though I should lick your hand between blows,

your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me

the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often,

for your voice is the world's sweetest music,

as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail

when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet,

for I am a domesticated animal,

no longer accustomed to bitter elements.

I ask no greater glory than the privilege

of sitting beneath your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water

for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well,

to romp and play and do your bidding,

to walk by your side

and stand ready, willing and able

to protect you with my life

should your life be in danger.

And my friend, when I am very old,

and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight,

do not make heroic efforts to keep me going.

I'm not having any fun.

Please see that my trusting life is taken gently.

I shall leave this earth knowing

with the last breath I draw

that my fate was always safest

in your hands.

– Author unknown.

 

Member of the Family

What would I do without you,

My precious, furry friend?

Part mischief, but all blessing,

And faithful to the end!

You look at me with eyes of love;

You never hold a grudge . . .

You think I'm far too wonderful

To criticize or judge.

It seems your greatest joy in life

Is being close to me . . .

I think God knew how comforting

Your warm, soft fur would be.

I know you think you're human,

But I'm glad it isn't true . . .

The world would be a nicer place

If folks were more like you!

A few short years are all we have;

One day we'll have to part . . .

But you, my pet, will always have

A place within my heart.

- Hope Harrington Kolb

 

 

May I Go?

May I Go?

May I go now?

Do you think the time is right?

May I say good-bye to pain-filled days

and endless lonely nights?

I’ve lived my life and done my best,

an example tried to be.

So can I take that step beyond

and set my spirit free?

I didn’t want to go at first,

I fought with all my might.

But something seems to draw me now

to a warm and loving light.

I want to go.

I really do.

It’s difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can

to live just one more day,

To give you time to care for me

and share your love and fears.

I know you’re sad and so afraid,

because I see your tears.

I’ll not be far,

I promise that, and hope you’ll always know

that my spirit will be close to you,

wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me.

You know I love you too.

That’s why it’s hard to say good-bye

and end this life with you.

So hold me now, just one more time

and let me hear you say,

because you care so much for me,

you’ll let me go today.

-Susan A. Jackson

 

 

Take Time to Heal Now

Dying is the easier role

Returning Home to God, the angels

The spirit world of peace and love.

Our animal loved ones are there now

safe, whole, loved and ever loving.

It is in staying behind

on earth

feeling alone

without the animals we love so dearly

that is the harder role.

The anguish of it comes unbidden,

when least expected,

seemingly unending, inescapable,

dark hours of pain.

Yet relief from pain

and healing and growth are possible too

Nourishment and support

are all around

in people, the animals, the sun, the rivers

in forests, in flowers, in books, in tapes,

in pictures, in song, from angels, from God

and the strength and wisdom

of our own souls.

We must only open our hearts

to the love waiting to help us heal.

Pouring our love and care and nurturing

onto our animals

must shift now,

to loving and caring and nurturing ourselves.

It is time for us now.

As one who has loved so completely

so fully

You are just as important as the one who has died.

You do not dishonor your loved one

or their memory

by taking care of yourself.

Take time to heal now.

Make choices to grow now.

Love yourself as you love your animal.

Love yourself as your animal loves you.

-Teresa Wagner

 

A Doggie Prayer

So do not grieve for me, my friend,

As I am with my kind.

 

My collar is a rainbow’s hue

My leash a shooting star

My boundaries are the milky way

Where I sparkle from afar

 

There are no pens or kennels here

For I am not confined

But free to roam God’s heavens

Among my special kind

 

I nap the day on a snowy cloud

With gentle breezes rocking me

I dream the dreams of earthlings

And how it used to be

 

The trees are full of liver treats

And tennis balls abound

And milk bones line the walking ways

Just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up

The grass all lush and green

And everyone who gaits around

Becomes the “Best Of Breed.”

 

For we’re all winners in this place

We have no faults you see

And God passes out the ribbons

To each one—even me.

 

At night I sleep in angels’ arms

Their wings protecting me

And moonbeams dance about us

As stardust falls on thee.

 

So when your life on earth is spent

And you reach heaven’s gate

Have no fear of loneliness

For her, you know I wait.

-Author Unknown

 

 

Never Left Your Side

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

 

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

 

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

 

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

 

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.

I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

 

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

 

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

 

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

 

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ... in the

stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

 

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning

and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

 

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

 

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

 

-Author unknown

Edited April 19, 2007 by Trudy

[SAVED2]

Brilliant--this should be pinned---thank-you

Dan

Edited August 23, 2005 by SAVED2

[Guest guinness_the_greyt]

I agree this should be pinned!

 

THANKS FOR SHARING!

[Greytlady94]

I agree, I hope one of the mods will pin this topic. I would like to add this one.....

 

THE SPIRIT OF A GREYHOUND

 

I was standing on a hillside

In a field of blowing wheat,

And the spirit of a Greyhound

Was lying at my feet.

 

He looked at me with kind dark eyes,

Ancient wisdom shining through.

In the essence of his being,

I saw the love there too.

 

His mind did lock upon my heart

As I stood there on that day,

And he told me of this story

About a place so far away.

 

As I stood upon that hillside

In a field of blowing wheat,

In a twinkling of a second

His spirit left my feet.

 

His tale did put my heart at ease,

All my fears did fade away

About what lay ahead of me

On another distant day.

 

"I live among God's creatures now

In the heavens of your mind,

So do not grieve for me, my friend

As I am with my kind.

 

My collar is a rainbow's hue,

My leash is a shooting star.

My boundaries are the Milky Way

Where I sparkle from afar.

 

There are no pens or kennels here

For I am not confined,

But I'm free to roam God's heavens

Among the Greyhound kind.

 

I nap the day on a snowy cloud

Gentle breezes rocking me,

And dream the dreams of earthlings,

And how it used to be.

 

The trees are full of liver treats,

And tennis balls abound,

And milkbones line the walkways

Just waiting to be found.

 

There even is a ring set up,

The grass all lush and green;

And everyone who gaits around

Becomes the Best of breed.

 

For we're all winners in this place;

We have no faults, you see.

And God passes out those ribbons

To each one, even me.

 

I drink from waters laced with gold,

My world a beauty to behold;

And wise old dogs do form my pride

To amble at my very side.

 

At night I sleep in angel's arms,

Her wings protecting me,

And moonbeams dance about us

As stardust falls on thee.

 

So when your life on earth is spent

And you stand at Heaven's gate,

Have no fear of loneliness--

For here, you know, I wait.

 

Author unknown

[Guest jettcricket]

Beautiful....some I've read and some not. But they all tug at my heartstrings. I remember when I lost my first greyhound, Chance, and in speaking with my sister she told me that animals have no souls....I know she didn't mean to hurt me, but it made me so upset. I called my Mom crying and told her what my sister said. She told me, "Baby your sister is wrong...of course they have souls. What makes their personalities? What gives them the ability to love and forgive...it's not just a brain and heart." After my sister lost her Siberian Husky, Cody, she told me that yes, animals do have souls...she grieved for a very long time.

Edited August 23, 2005 by jettcricket

[Sighthounds4me]

I've been feeling sentimental lately, and really missing Gunnar. Thanks! This helps. Very sweet!

 

[patricia]

Thank you Bill. I also hope that this is pinned.

[TheFullHouse]

I too agree, this should be pinned. What a beautiful thing to offer the loved ones of your patients at the time of their loss. I remember getting a hand written card from my vet when my baby boy passed away. It meant so much to me that I kept it.

[Guest Mommydog]

This beautiful and yes, I agree it should be pinned. I remember feeling incredibly alone in my grief when I lost my first dog Pip, who had been with me for 15 1/2yrs.

I did'nt know too many "doggy" people then. When I lost Raffie however people were very kind and understanding he was such a character and went literally everywhere with me. My dear friend Mo sent me a lovely condolence card in which she had written a poem about Rafferty, that meant so very much, in fact I still have the card next to his picture three years on.

[Guest argolola]

Thank you for this. It is both beautiful and helpful.

[HooversMom]

What a marvelous thing to put together! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

 

[LBass]

I am sure that having their love and grief acknowledged so beautifully helps your clients tremendously. Thank you for sharing with your GT family as well.

 

Lucy

[Madeara]

Someone posted this before, it is really nice. Hope you have more tissues.

 

 

YOU HAVE CHOSEN TEARS

 

The little orange boy stopped.

Behind him, kitties were playing, chasing each other and wrestling in the warm sunshine. It looked like so much fun, but in front of him, through the clear stillness of the pond's water, he could see his mommy.

And she was crying. He pawed at the water, trying to get at her, and when that didn't work, he jumped into the shallow water. All that got him was wet and Mommy's image danced away in the ripples.

"Mommy!" he cried. "Is something wrong?" The little orange boy turned around.

 

A lady was standing at the edge of the pond, her eyes sad but filled with love. The little orange boy sighed and walked out of the water.

"There's been a mistake," he said. "I'm not supposed to be here." He looked back at the water. It was starting to still again and his mommy's image was coming back.

"I'm just a baby. Mommy said it had to be a mistake. She said I wasn't supposed to come here yet." The kind lady sighed and sat down on the grass. The little orange boy climbed into her lap. It wasn't Mommy's lap, but it was almost as good. When she started to pet him and scratch under his chin like he liked, he started to purr. He hadn't wanted to, but he couldn't help it.

"I'm afraid there is no mistake. You are supposed to be here and your mommy knows it deep down in her heart," the lady said. The little orange boy sighed and laid his head on the lady's leg.

"But she's so sad. It hurts me to see her cry. And daddy too."

"But they knew right from the beginning this would happen."

"That I was sick?"

 

That surprised the little orange boy. No one had ever said anything and he had listened when they thought he was sleeping. All he had heard them talk about was how cute he was, or how fast he was or how big he was getting.

"No, not that you were sick," the lady said. "But you see, they chose tears."

"No, they didn't," the little orange boy argued. Who would choose to cry? The lady gently brushed the top of his head with a kiss. It made him feel safe and loved and warm - but he still worried about his mommy.

 

"Let me tell you a story," the lady said. The little orange boy looked up and saw other animals gathering around. Cats - Big Boy and Snowball and Shamus and Abby and little Cleo and Robin. Merlin, Toby, Iggy and Zachary. Sweetie, Kamatte and OBie. Dogs too - Sally and Baby and Morgan and Rocky and Belle. Even a lizard named Clyde and some rats named Saffron and Becky and a hamster named Odo. They all lay down near the kind lady and looked up at her, waiting. She smiled at them and began:

 

A long long time ago, the Loving Ones went to the Angel in Charge. They were lonesome and asked the Angel to help them. The Angel took them to a wall of windows and let them look out the first window at all sorts of things - dolls and stuffed animals and cars and toys and sporting events.

"Here are things you can love," the Angel said. "They will keep you from being lonesome."

"Oh, thank you," the Loving Ones said. "These are just what we need."

"You have chosen Pleasure," the Angel told them.

 

But after a time the Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge.

"Things are okay to love," they said. "But they don't care that we love them." The Angel in Charge led them over to the second window. It looked out at all sorts of wild animals. "Here are animals to love," he said. "They will know you love them."

So the Loving Ones hurried out to care for the wild animals. "You have chosen Satisfaction," the Angel said.

 

Some of the Loving Ones worked at zoos and wild animal preserves, some just had bird feeders in their yards, but after a time they all came back to the Angel in Charge.

"They know we love them," they told the Angel. "But they don't love us back. We want to be loved in return." So the Angel took them to the third window and showed them lots of people walking around, hurrying places.

"Here are people for you to love," the Angel told them. So the Loving Ones hurried off to find other people to love.

"You have chosen Commitment," the Angel said.

 

But after a time a lot of Loving Ones came back to the Angel in Charge.

"People were okay to love," they said. "But sometimes they stopped loving us and left. They broke our hearts." The Angel just shook his head.

"I cannot help you," he said.

"You will have to be satisfied with the choices I gave you."

 

As the Loving Ones were leaving, someone saw a window off to one side and hurried to look out. Through it, they could see puppies and kittens and dogs and cats and lizards and hamsters and rats. The other Loving Ones hurried over. "What about these?" they asked. But the Angel just tried to shoo them away.

"Those are Personal Empathy Trainers," he said.

"But there's a problem with their system operations."

"Would they know that we love them?" someone asked.

"Yes," the Angel said.

"Would they love us back?" another asked.

"Yes," the Angel said.

"Will they stop loving us?" someone else asked.

"No," the Angel admitted. "They will love you forever."

"Then these are what we want," the Loving Ones said. But the Angel was very upset.

 

"You don't understand," he told them. "You will have to feed these animals."

"That's all right," the Loving Ones said.

"You will have to clean up after them and take care of them forever."

"We don't care."

The Loving Ones did not listen. They went down to where the Pets were and picked them up, seeing the love in their own hearts reflected in the animals' eyes.

 

"They were not programmed right," the Angel said. "We can't offer a warranty. We don't know how durable they are. Some of their systems malfunction very quickly, others last a long time."

But the Loving Ones did not care.

They were holding the warm little bodies and finding their hearts so filled with love that they thought they would burst.

"We will take our chances," they said.

"You do not understand." The Angel tried one more time.

"They are so dependent on you that even the most well-made of them is not designed to out live you. You are destined to suffer their loss."

The Loving Ones looked at the sweetness in their arms and nodded.

"That is how it should be. It is a fair trade for the love they offer."

 

The Angel just watched them all go, shaking his head.

"You have chosen Tears," he whispered.

 

"So it is," the kind lady told the kitties. "And so each mommy and daddy knows. When they take a baby into their heart, they know that one day it will leave them and they will cry." The little orange boy sat up.

"So why do they take us in?" he asked.

"Because even a moment of your love is worth years of pain later."

"Oh."

 

The little orange boy got off the lady's lap and went back to the edge of the pond. His mommy was still there and still crying.

"Will she ever stop crying?" he asked the kind lady.

She nodded. "You see, the Angel felt sorry for the Loving Ones, knowing how much they would suffer. He couldn't take the tears away but he made them special."

 

She dipped her hand into the pond and let the water trickle off her fingers.

"He made them healing tears, formed from the special water here. Each tear holds bits of all the happy times of purring and petting and shared love, and the promise of love once again.

 

As your mommy cries, she is healing. It may take a long while, but the tears will help her feel better. In time she will be less sad and she will smile when she thinks of you. And then she will open her heart again to another little baby."

"But then she will cry again one day," the little orange boy said.

 

The lady just smiled at him as she got to her feet.

"No, she will love again. That is all she will think about." She picked up Big Boy and Snowball and gave them hugs, then scratched Morgan's ear just how she liked.

 

"Look," she said. "The butterflies have come. Shall we go over to play?"

The other animals all ran ahead, but the little orange boy wasn't ready to leave his mommy.

"Will I ever get to be with her again?"

The kind lady nodded. "You'll be in the eyes of every kitty she looks at. You'll be in the purr of every cat she pets. And late at night, when she's fast asleep, your spirit will snuggle up close to her and you both will feel at peace.

 

One day soon, you can even send her a rainbow to tell her you're safe and waiting here for when it's her turn to come."

"I would like that," the little orange boy said and took one long look at his mommy.

He saw her smile slightly through her tears and he knew she had remembered the time he almost fell into the bathtub.

"I love you, Mommy," he whispered. "It's okay if you cry."

 

He glanced over at the other pets, running and playing and laughing with the butterflies.

"Uh, Mommy? I gotta go play now, okay? But I'll be around, I promise."

Then he turned and raced after the others.

[SAVED2]

Brings back memories

[Guest herdmom]

I hope no-one comes by my desk right now or I will have to explain the snuffling. Thank you, these are wonderful.

[Guest BaileyMom]

Thanks for this.