Bridge Thoughts

hissy

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Compared to humans, cats live relatively short lives. While these special companions are in our lives, we do our best to provide them with love, and with care. Sometimes, under the best circumstances, and sometimes under the worst, they are snatched away from us and leave us broken and confused and very sad. It takes time, after someoneâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s cat dies, for that owner to have the courage to land here in this forum. When they do come here, I applaud them, for it means the healing can finally begin.

For some cat lovers, they cannot even come here to read, because the sorrow is to great, the grief is to overwhelming, or they have been one of the fortunate few who have not had to make that tough decision, sign that final paper- shed the first tears of many to come, and return home with empty arms.

The poem Rainbow Bridge that says author unknown- the author is known. He is grief counselor, and he used to live in Portland Oregon. His name is Paul C. Dahm and he wrote the poem after his own pet died, so he could find his way through the sorrow and emerge somewhere whole on the other side.

Those of you, who are brave enough to post here, are on your way to finding that other side of the grief. The path is not easy for you, it is not a short walk and you will discover inner truths along the way if you do not shut down your heart.

The food bowl may be empty, and your bed may be missing that furry lump snuggled next to you- but in your heart, that special cat will ride the time with you, until one day the remembrance no longer brings with it the lump in the throat or the tears and instead you will count yourself lucky to have been blessed and bonded with such a companion as the one that enriched your life enough that you sought to leave his/her memory in Crossing The Bridge~ a very special place.
 

linka

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Just wanted to say that was very beautiful...
 

pooky

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Very well said,Hissy.I think this section of the site helps others who have lost a loved-one cope with eachother and help chear themselfs,and eachother up.
 

snowleop

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Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I can't see my screen, My eyes are all blurry

Hugs!

Sam.
Likewise.


That was so well-written, so eloquent, MA. Thank you for posting that.
 

amandaofcols

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Just wanted to say that that is terribly helpful.As I have just lost my dear Rotten this morning, I am having a really tough time dealing with it. My first thought was of this site. I knew the people on here would understand my grief! Thank you all so much for your support and knowledge!!
 

libby

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I cry every time I read the poem...your post was nice and comforting...THANK YOU.

I will look forward when my time comes to cross the bridge and be greeted by ALL my beloved fur babies.
 

phantomsr

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I for one also believe that our cats can still reach us after their over the bridge. My Tigger had to be put down on July 2nd after consuming a lilly. There's another long post about it but back to the point of this post. I had been fighing a cough for almost 3 months now. XRays showed nothing and antibiotics were not working. It was getting really frustrating. I just come to the realization that the afternoon that Tigger was put down my cough has improved drastically and is now almost gone completely. I believe that after Tigger past, he helped rid me of my cough before crossing the bridge.

Our pets enrich our lives everyday they spend with us, and some even manage to help us even after they have passed.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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I love the Rainbow Bridge story. Our daughter sent it to us last year in July when we lost Max. I love to think about seeing him again someday. The one year anniversary of his death is coming up. I am so dreading it. We had to put him down due to sudden kidney failure. He was my soulmate cat. Hugs to all of you with "holes in your heart" caused by losing your soulmate cat.
 

catcat

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"On the morning of Sept.11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of
activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly.And they were.
"An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait.Think of the pups & kittens who had lived & died hideous deaths.No one on earth loved or protected them.What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards or scrounging in dumpsters ? Think of the many who were abused. Who are they to wait for ?We don't talk about that much up here.We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so.But we all know that there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pet in the heavens.
"That Tuesday morning a request rang out for pets not waiting for a specific person to volunteer for a special assignment. An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward. They were told that all at once over 4,000 loving people had left earth long before they were ready.
"All the pets, as pets will, felt the humans' pain deep in their hearts.'May I have one to comfort?' asked a rabbit.One fluffy kitty asked,"Are there any children?I would be very comforting because I 'm soft & squishy, & I love to be hugged.'
" A group of Dalmations came forward to meet the firemen & their friends.The larger, working breeds offered to greet the police officers & to make them feel at home.
" Little dogs & cats offered to do their best to cuddle & kiss.Pets who had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward & said"I will love any human who needs love." Then all the pets rushed to the Rainbow Bridge & stood waiting, overflowing with love to share !"

This parable, author unknown, appeared in a column written by Fr. Joe Breighner, in "The Catholic Review" in Baltimore Maryland.-------from catcat
 
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