Those who don't understand

After the death of our Penny, we sent an email out to those who know us, advising them of our loss. 

 

I hear through someone that another person who received the email had made a smart-alecky remark about that email.  Apparently we were being too over dramatic and that those who didn't know, would have thought we'd lost a child.

Well, firstly, it was only sent to people who know us.

 

Secondly, if you couldn't see that the announcement was written on wallpaper of our cat, then you were bloody stupid.

 

Thirdly, for us baren couples, she was our child.  Heaven forbid we would treat our animals as one of our family. 

 

I try not to let what people say about me affect me but it is hard to just brush aside.

 

Penny was our daughter, our family, and those who don't get it are obviously never going to.

 

We consider ourselves lucky to have called her our family and she will forever be a part of us.

Friends

Just wanted to say a big "hi" to my friend Christie and thanks for looking.

 

I know, I'm just talking about the cat, but I won't be forever.  I'm sure I can find other things to put in here.

 

 

Ashes

This may be somewhat controversial but we wanted to keep our baby close to us and had her cremated and her ashes placed in an urn and returned to us.  It's a beautiful, like her, and handcrafted. It has a little name plate with, obviously, her name on it. 

 

Other pet lovers are shocked that we would do that.  I'm shocked at other pet lovers who told me that they couldn't bare being in the room when their animal was put down.  I had to be there. I wanted Penny to know that she wasn't alone and we cared for her.  We know the last thing she saw before her final sleep was us and I hope that that was comforting for her.  She was so far gone though, I don't think she even knew who we were, but I'm glad I was there for her ... we held her little paw as she fell asleep.

 

The urn now has pride of place in our glassed cabinet where she will be with us always, our beautiful girl.

Pet Shop

Can I just say, that going to a pet shop two days after your cat has died, is not a great thing. I started bawling in the middle of the shop, as I looked at all the beautiful kittens.  The staff and shoppers must have thought I was a lunatic.

Finally ... a new battery

For over 2 years we've needed a new battery for the video camera and I'm sad to report that it took Penny passing away for me to actually get out there and do it.

 

We had no idea how much footage we had of the cats but when I charged up the new battery today, we've found that we have over an hours worth of footage of them. 

 

It is amazing to see how much weight the girls have lost over that time.  At least now we have little piece of Penny we can hold on to.

 

Penny 1990 - 2006

First entry, I know, but this space has been set up for someone very special in our life.

 

Since 1990 I've had Kim and Penny ... they were only about 8 weeks old when I got them.

 

They have given me much pleasures in my life and my life is so much more rich because of them.

 

Alan came into the picture in 1998 as a dog person but it took no time for these little guys to enter his heart.  They don't scratch, they don't bite but they will give copious amounts of love.

 

For this reason, it gives us great sadness to advise that Penny passed away on 3 March 2006 at 1.30pm.

 

I have never known such pain as having to say goodbye and she takes away with her a piece of my heart that she will have until we meet again.

 

For you my baby

 

Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had 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. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her 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....  Author unknown...