All
the animals who have 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 begins to quiver. 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...
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 cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand;
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years -
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come, so let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Please do not grieve - it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years -
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.
~ Author Unknown ~
My kitty was more than just a "pet" to me, she
represented unconditional love. Bootsie belonged to my Mom for a
year, before she belonged to me. You see, my mother passed away in
1986, leaving her two kittys behind... My mother had rescued Bootsie
from a life of loneliness and from being homeless.
When my mom passed away, she had two kitties....Mickey
and Bootsie. Just six short weeks before I lost my mom, my own kitty,
Chubby, died of an enlarged heart. You see, I truly believe that it was
meant to be that I was to eventually share my home and my life with
my Mom's two kitties....
Unfortunately, Mickey developed an inoperable tumor and in 1989, I
had to have him put to sleep....Mickey was only five years old. In the
events of losing my own kitty, followed by my mother, and then five
years later losing Mickey....well, Bootsie and I developed a very strong
attachment to each other.
I have always loved cats, but out of all of them, Bootsie was most special to me. I took joy in spoiling her.
She had lots of toys, a special window perch, a special rocking chair
just for her, and all my love. Bootsie knew that she was the "Lady" of
the house, she would not hesitate to ask me to move from wherever I
was sitting, so she could take over my seat! She asked nicely though.
She would take her paw, put one nail into my shirt and gently tug until I
would get up and let her have my spot! Oh I do so miss her these few
short days since she has been gone.
Bootsie was 16 years old and
her life was getting to be a little hard on her... She had the heart of a
fighter and would rise to any health challenge that might arise. This
last one was no different, Bootsie had a strong will to live but in all the
problems she endured over the last two years, and her tremendous
weight loss, I could no longer allow my own selfishness to keep her
bound to me.
I set her free on Saturday, August 19, 2000. Her little
spirit took that "Stairway To Heaven" in the leaps and bounds of a
young kitten, renewed in both body and spirit.
Although I am
positive she waits for me at Rainbow Bridge, I am just as positive that
my mom is again loving her and cuddling her. One day, when my time comes
and I get to go home, I know I will be reunited with my Mom and Dad and all of my family and friends who will have gone before me. The icing on that cake will be my also being reunited especially with Bootsie but also with Mickey and Chubby and Toby and Baby....and the only dog I ever owned, Ricky. Yes, someday it will happen and
knowing that, I can wait.....
The midi now playing:
"Time To Say Goodbye"
Bootsie's page is honored to have received this award from Skye Foxe and Misty
We just received this very nice award from my friend, Jim - thank you!
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
