Peaches has gone to the bridge

Peaches died peacefully overnight of old age. She passed laying on top of her cat tree, where I left her last night. She was approximately 17 years old.

12 years ago I met Peaches at a humane society adoption center called, Furburbia. She was in a room size cage with a few other cats, laying on the top of a cat tree. Her fur was thinnned out and dull and frankly, she was pretty scraggly looking. She was scheduled to be destroyed because she was a biter and labeled un-adoptable. But something kept drawing me back to her, as I was looking at other cats. I went back several more days and every time, I would be drawn to Peaches. I spent time brushing her, playing with her and talking to her. Finally, I asked to adopt her. The staff were reluctant and at first said no (because she was a biter). But I was persistent. Finally, after several phone calls, they agreed as long as I would sign a waiver releasing them from responsibility in case I got bit.

I took Peaches home and opened the carrier. Peaches jumped out, went room to room, checking things out and then jumped on the couch and laid down as if to announce she was home.

I learned to recognize when Peaches had enough and the warning signs. I only got bitten once in 12 years and it was my own fault, as I had pushed her past her limit.

Peaches was my best friend. She snuggled with me when I cried and laid with me (or on me) on the couch to watch movies. She was always there for me and she was rewarded with a full, spoiled, luxurious life! I will miss her dearly.

Goodbye for now, dear friend. Rest in peace and give Jakey my love.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and support. I'm sure you can understand right now that I'm just drained. It's been a long, emotional 4 days. The guy from the crematorium came to pick Peaches up and I couldn't even cry. I think I cried so much the last few days, I just didn't have anything left.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtfulness. I had a dream last night, that I came home from work and Peaches was waiting for me at the door. She was all fluffy and beautiful with bright eyes, like she was most of her life. I didn't want to wake up but Maxx jumped up on my bed and stuck his face in my face and tickled me with his whiskers! 

 

When I picked up Peaches' ashes it was hard. They handed me this little box and I Just stood there looking at it and crying. I couldn't believe all that was left of Peaches was in that little box. There was a card with it too. It has the rainbow bridge poem on one side and Peaches' paw print on the other. They take the animals paw print before they cremate them. I have a friend that does engraving and he is going to engrave Peaches name on the oak box her remains are in. And he is going to etch her picture and her paw print on a 5x7 slab of marble for me. It will be displayed on an easel next to her cremains. I'll take pictures when it is all done.

 

I sure miss my Peach.