Angel came to us as a sweet little kitten about eight weeks old. She was a rescue kitty. She was found on the doorstep with her mommy and baby brother kitty at a local senior center. The three of them were in a little white fleece bed. It was early December and cold. The baby brother died and mommy was in poor health. My husband brought her home on that little fleece bed so she would have something familiar with her. We named her Angel because it must have been an Angel who watched over her to bring her safely to us.
It became clear in her first year that she must have been quite frightened at that tender age as she would so often hunker down under our bed. In fact that became her "house". We never could get her to sleep in a cat bed, she preferred a soft blanket under the bed. That little white fleece bed she came home in became the liner in her cat carrier to go to the vet once a year.
She was quite the hunter and like most cats brought her catch to proudly show us even tho we weren't too thrilled. As she matured, we discovered that she was a munchkin cat. She was a full size cat in every way, but her legs were very short. This limited her jumping ability and in later years she did not jump at all as arthritis set in her back legs. But she was a happy loving cat. We called her our "special needs" cat. It reinforced our belief that she came to us for a reason. We had grown children and our home was quiet for her. Then the grand kids came along, Angel simply headed for her house under our bed and to safety until they we gone and all was clear.
We had 3 more days with Angel. And yes she did let us know when she was ready. We put her in that little white fleece bed. She came to us in that little bed and she left us in that little bed. We miss her terribly, but we know she will be waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge where all animals run and play until their owners come to meet them one day
The Rainbow BridgeBy the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill, Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still. Where the friends of man and woman do run, When their time on earth is over and done. For here, between this world and the next, Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest. On this golden land, they wait and they play, Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day. No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness, For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness. Their limbs are restored, their health renewed, Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued. They romp through the grass, without even a care, Until one day they start, and sniff at the air. All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back, Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack. For just at that instant, their eyes have met; Together again, both person and pet. So they run to each other, these friends from long past, The time of their parting is over at last. The sadness they felt while they were apart, Has turned into joy once more in each heart. They embrace with a love that will last forever, And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together | |
