Hi...just found this site and your inspirational thoughts are signs of true animal lovers. I had to put my 11 yr old shep/collie/chow mix Sassy to sleep last night, after a sudden life threatening illness, and it was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my entire life. I still in disbelief that she is gone...and is not going to nudge my arm for another yum yum, or petting, or walk, or toss a ball at me...i expect her to walk around the corner any minute with that laughing smile of hers and look at me like why the tears....I've lost my shadow, my best friend, my baby and it hurts so bad.

Shadowless

Its awful loosing our babies but this time of year I think is extra hard.

I was where you are last year (although my loss was three weeks prior) and I know its going to be a tug between your grief and the loved ones that are still here and looking forward to tomorrow.

My way of handling Christmas day was to go in the toilet for 10 minutes to take time out for me, as that’s the only room where I wouldn’t be disturbed.

I know we all say throughout the year “don’t stop the tears they are healing and our babies are worth every single drop” but tomorrow we will all be thinking of others and not wanting to spoil their day so its going to be especially hard.

One think we all might like to think about is with the high spirit in the air and all the love and laughter going around maybe it gives them a chance to get closer to us to let us know they are ok and still love us even from Rainbow Bridge

Love Sue

Hi shadowless,

I have only just lost my beloved cat Misty a week and two days now...The first three days were the worst in my life, I'm feeling more at ease now, still miss her and guess always will....But atleast the tears have stopped and my kids can see their mummy having a laugh and putting a smile on her face again...But doesn't mean I'm not aching inside....

((hugs)) for your loss....and to say that I've only just joined this site myself and so glad I did because it has helped me soo much with the healing and being able to express my feelings without thinking I'm going over board iykwim...

Look after yourself...
Caroline...

Dear Sassy's parent:

I am so sorry for your loss of Sassy. I joined the board slightly over 6 months ago when I lost my Saki (my avatar) and my Frey. Then yesterday I had to put my 15 year old sick cat to sleep (photos of them can be found on ~p. 4 of my old "am i getting better" topic/post). It is the hardest thing....

I have found comfort from this story by Marion Hale that I found at the petloss.com site. I hope you find comfort in it too.

Love,
Jennifer
---------------
A Christmas Story

December is the best month of the year at the Rainbow Bridge. For the dogs there is snow to romp in and the angels always have time to toss snowballs for them to chase. The cats enjoy patting at the snowflakes as they fall, and then curling up near the fireplace for a nice winter's nap.

But it is the lights that make this time so special. Winter on the Earth, their former home, is a time of lengthening darkness, and in December candles glow all around the globe beginning with Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, and continuing on right through the New Year's festivities. At the Bridge the glow of these candles is reflected in all of the trees, and in the hearts of every Bridgekid as they observe the month in their own special way; with memories of the lives, and the loved ones they left behind.

For most it is a time of quiet joy, but each year there are always a few who draw apart..
Near to midnight, "home time" on December 24 Charlie realized someone was missing from the Hale gathering. "I'll be right back," he told his siblings. He passed many similar groupings as he hurried down the well worn path, many friends called out to him, but he only acknowledge the greetings with a wave and continued on. The path ended at the Rainbow, and there he found a small group of newcomers, each sitting quietly, alone. One of these, the missing Sandifur, was crouched at the very edge, his stumpy tail twitching rapidly, as he stared at the scene below.

"You are missing the party, little brother," Charlie said.
"I don't care," replied Sandifur, "I don't like Christmas anyway. "

Charlie only smiled. "I felt the same way my first year. Do you remember your very first Christmas with Mom and Dad? Remember the new scratching tree they gave us that year, and the catnip mice? And remember all the good things we got to eat? That was a great time, wasn't it?" Sandifur nodded, still gazing intently below. "I want to go back."
"I did too, " Charlie said, licking gently at his brother's ear. "But we can't, baby brother. This is our place now." "But it's Christmas, and Mom and Dad miss us so much. Look, mom is lighting a candle right now, just for us and she is crying."

"Christmas Eve is her time to remember, little one, but tomorrow she will pass out the presents to all of our brothers and sisters, and she will be happy again. I want to show you something. Come with me."
Together the two kiddens climbed the arch of the Rainbow, and at the very top Charlie stopped. "Do you see that big silver cloud over there? Watch closely."

As Sandifur gazed the cloud began to swirl and gradually an image came into view. The clearing where he had left his family, and a larger gathering around the big, glowing pine tree. He could see the dogs, many more of them than when he had left, playing fetch and tug of war, and the kiddens, so many kiddens, sleeping in a heap, their soggy catnip mice forgotten in the grass.

Suddenly the kiddens all woke up, and the dogs ceased their play and stared into the darkness beyond the clearing, tails wagging in greeting.
And then, much to Sandifur's amazement, two humans stepped into the light."
"Hurry, Charlie, we have to go back," he said. " Mom and Dad, they're here!"
"Not just yet, Sandy. That cloud is our Window into Tomorrow.
Come back with me now, and join the others. The reunion will come. We have been promised."

Sandy reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the vision of the future, and followed Charlie. They found the others waiting for them at the base of the rainbow. "Is it time?" Charlie asked.
Terrie nodded, "They are waiting."
All of the Hale Bridgekids drew together, and looked over the edge, and along the entire length of the rainbow similar groups were gathered, all looking down at their former homes.

Suddenly the light of a million candles from the Earth met the glow from the Rainbow Bridge. "Now," Charlie whispered.

In unison three words were repeated again and again, and as they were spoken they merged with the bridge of light, flowing from the rainbow to the earth, and back again in ever increasing brilliance, and the colors of the rainbow merged with the light. "I love you," they all said, and the love entered every heart of the pet parents on earth, and the hearts of those who gathered at the rainbow.

"Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad," Sandifur whispered again, watching the lights slowly fade. "I love you. I will be waiting."

"I will look ahead for there is our tomorrow."


Marion Hale

Do you KNOW how often I end up crying at work over these stories? GRIN thank you for a heart touching reminder that tomorrow is there for us.