This page is dedicated to my beloved pets that are waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge.

 

I shall see beauty, 

but none to match your living grace,

I shall hear music, 

but none as sweet as the droning song with which you loved me.

I shall fill my days, but I shall not, cannot forget.

Sleep soft, dear friend.

 

Angel Cats

  "Angel cats are just pretend
  Just sorrows that will never mend"
  But if I believe that, I'm untrue
  To someone who loved me and you.

For I have felt my cat's sweet weight
  As she cuddles into bed so late
  And heard her purrs, and felt her sigh
  Mend my grief: sweet lullaby.

  Faulty vision? I think not!
  An angel cat, off like a shot
  For that was how she ran while here:
  Now plain sight, now disappear.

Angel cats are surely real
  They stay in touch to help us heal
  Their fur dries tears that will not dry
  And as we mend, our spirits fly.

  Copyright © Rachel McGrath-Kerr
 

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colours. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. Those who are old are young again. They play all day with each other and are very happy and content.

But, there is one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches. The ears are up. The eyes are staring. And then this one suddenly 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.  Your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into their trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

A Prayer for Animals


Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals. Especially for animals who are suffering; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them, we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.


Albert Schweitzer

 

The next story is dedicated to all the unloved and unwanted cats. What a shame our humane societies have to deal with so many. Please spay or neuter your cats if you are not a registered breeder and please, love the ones you have now.

I am famous now

I was born today. One of 6. My daddy was very famous. I have lots of half brothers and sisters. My mother is very famous. Since she got famous, she has only had kittens. No more loving hands, no more fun trips....just kittens. She is always sad when they leave her.

I left home today. I didn't want to go, so I hid behind my mum and my three littermates that were left. I didn't like you. But one day they said I would be famous. I wonder; is famous the same as fun and good times? So you picked me up and carried me away, even though you were concerned about me hiding from you. I don't think you liked me.

My new home is far away. I am scared and afraid. My heart says BE BRAVE. My ancestors were. Did they go to good homes like mine? I'm hungry because I can't eat too much because it will be bad for my bones. I can't hiss or scratch when the children are mean to me. I just run and play and pretend I am in a big green field with butterflies and birds and frogs. I can't understand why they kick me. I am quiet, but the man hits and yells at me. The lady doesn't feed me good things like I had with my mother. She just throws dry food on the ground, then goes away before I can get too close for touching or petting. Sometimes my food smells bad, but I eat it anyway.

Today I had 6 kittens. They are so wonderful and warm. Am I famous now? I wish I could play with them, but they are so tiny. I am so young and playful that it is hard to lay here in this hole under the house nursing my kittens. They are crying now. I am so hungry. I scratch and worry my fur. I wish someone would give me some food. I am also so very thirsty. I now have four. Two got cold during the night and I couldn't make them warm again. They are gone. We are all very weak. Maybe if I take them out on the porch, we can get some food.

Yesterday they took us away. It was too much trouble to feed us and someone came to take us away. Someone grabbed my babies, they were crying and whimpering. We were put in a truck with boxes in it. Are my babies famous now? I hope so, because I miss them. They are gone.

The place smells of urine, fear and sickness. Why was I here? I was beautiful, like my ancestors. Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain and unwanted. Maybe the worst is unwanted. No one came though I tried to be good.

Today someone came. They put me in a carry box and took me to a room that was very clean and had a shiny table. They put me on the table. Someone held me and hugged me. If felt so good!! Then I felt tired and laid over the last one who cared. I AM FAMOUS NOW. Today someone cared.

 One By One

and this poem is dedicated to all those that rescue cats & kittens from the humane societies.
Author Unknown

One by one, they file past my cage
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way
Way past his time, he can't run and play
Then they shake their heads slowly and go
on their way

A little old man, arthritic and sore
It seems I am not wanted anymore
I once had a home, I once had a bed
A place that was warm, and where I was fed

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail
Who wants a cat so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong
I got in their way; my attitude was wrong

Whatever excuse they made in their head
Can't justify how they left me for dead
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day
The younger cats all get adopted away

When I had almost come to the end of my rope
You saw my face, and I finally had hope
You saw through the grey and the legs bent with age
And felt that I still had life beyond this cage

You took me home, gave me food an a bed
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head
We snuggle and play and you talk to me low
You love me so dearly, you want me to know

I may have lived most of my life with another
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger
And I promise to return all the love I can give
To you, my dear person, as long as I live

I may be with you for a week or for years
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave
I know you will cry and your heart it will grieve

And when I arrive at the Bridge all brand new
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you
And I will brag to all that will hear
Of the person who made my last days oh, so dear

 

The big brave Angel cat, folding a rainbow wing,
Stretched out his gentle paw
I'll find, purred he,
A kitten-- you were kind--
You must not grieve for me.
This one might do, this timid little stray
Terrestrial night to my celestial day;
It cannot take my place,
No other could do that,
But though you cannot bring me back, you might retrace
Remembrance in a kitten's pansy-face.

By Jacintha Buddicom, b. 1901,

 

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle can't be won
You will be sad - I understand
Don't let your grief though stay your hand
For this day more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stands the test
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears
You don't want me to suffer so
When the time comes, please let me go
Take me to where my needs they'll tend
Only stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see
I know in time you will agree
A kindness that you do for me
Although my tail its last has waved
From pain and suffering I've been saved
And please don't grieve it should be you
Who must decide this thing to do
We've been so close - we two - these years
Don't let your heart hold any tears

Anon
 
 
 
UGLY THE TOMCAT

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and, shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye and where the other should have been was a hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.

Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!!"

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction.

If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet in forgiveness.

Whenever he spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's dogs. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.

As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. It must be hurting him terribly, I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear. Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.

Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.

Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful but for me... I will always try to be Ugly.

~~~Author Unknown~~~

The Feline Spirit

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel,
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled.
For, you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand, asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined for all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is...forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat.
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them.
I just am...forever and ever and ever.

(--Author Unknown--)

 

 

 

The following original story is published here with the very kind permission of
Marie Applebee from Perth, Australia.

Please visit her beautiful Siamese, Oriental, Balinese and Javanese cats at

 http://members.netunltd.com.au/users/ashanara/

Dragonflies

There was a family of water bugs that lived quite happily in the pond at the bottom of the waterfall. They all agreed it was the best pond to be in. They had the best of everything all the time, and the best group of friends to be with and play all day.

There was only one thing to trouble their lives. Every now and then one of their number would climb a lily pad stem and go above the water into the light beyond. 

They talked about this and made a pact that the next one of them to climb to the world beyond would come back and tell them what it was like. They all agreed, and were quite excited to find out what it was all about.

One day it happened, one little water bug felt the need to climb, attached himself to the nearest lily pad stem and began to head upwards to the bright light above the world they knew. He climbed and climbed and finally broke the surface of the pond. The light hurt his eyes and he could not see very far. He was feeling very sleepy. He curled up on the lily pad and slept and dreamed. 

Some time later, perhaps a long time, he woke and found that something magnificent had happened. He had changed! His legs had grown long and spindly, and he now had a long tail. Best of all, stretching from his back, were four stunningly beautiful iridescent wings that sparkled and changed colour in the sun. With a shout of joy he took off from the lily pad and flew, swooping and diving in the warm sunshine. All around him were other dragonflies swooping and playing. 

Suddenly he looked down at the pond and saw one of his friends. He remembered his promise to go back and tell them all what it was like up there in the light. Sadly he realised that he could not go back, he would not be able to swim underwater anymore. He knew too, that his beloved friends would not recognise him, and that they would not understand about the warmth of the sun on his wings. He also knew that they would be here with him soon enough, and then they could all play together in the sun. 

We all have dragonflies in our life, those who have gone from us. Perhaps we wouldn't understand where they are now, but we know we will be with them soon.

 

Little Ghost cat,
Your footsteps pit-pat
In the hallway of my mind
The kiss of air, whisper-soft purr;
I hear the echoes of your purr;
See your pouncing shadow everywhere....
And smile through my tears.
Author Unknown