Passed over the Rainbow Bridge

[perc-o-prince]

Hi all,

I've not posted much over the last couple of weeks due to the fact that one of our babies, Max (a ferret), has been very sick. We thought that we were going to have to put him down on Thursday but he bounced back up and there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

That light must have been the warm glow from the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. He made the peaceful journey, on his own terms, this morning, at about 7am or so. I know now that there is no more pain for him but mearly the empty spot that is in Chuck's and my heart.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this but it just felt "right" since I know that many of you have been where I am at this morning.

If any of you are unaware of what the Rainbow Bridge is...see below.

<<<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. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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...>>>

Give your pets a big hug, this morning, and show them all the love that they unconditionally give us!!

Rich

 

[gadgetgary]

Rich,

Words cannot express the sorrow that you and Chuck are now experiencing....but please know that I feel your pain and loss.
I was there last November when I lost my beloved BEIJING(a Shih Tzu) after 16-1/2 yrs. I was comforted to know how many on this wonderful site sent me their kind words.
It will just take time, but you too will overcome this obstacle and once again get back to your life.
My sympathy and my sincerest regards..........

Gary

 

[tlee618]

Hi Rich, I am very sorry for your loss but what a wonder story about the Rainbow Bridge, that is one that I am going to remember. Thanks for sharing. Terry

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Rest In Peace Max

Condolences on the passing of your friend Max.
I bet he had a lovely life and was very content
with his family. He's chatting you up right now!

 

[scott55405]

I am very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you, Scott

 

[Versatronic]

Sorry about your loss, Rich

Outliving a pet is tough. I've been through it quite a few times now.

One of my cats, Deli, developed this huge lump in her shoulder area suddenly and started limping. I scheduled a vet appointment and saw this lump getting shockingly bigger by the day. She wasn't in any pain, though.

So I took her to vet and they x-rayed it and it turned out she had a nasty cancerous tumor in her right front upper leg. The vet said the only option was amputation or leaving her die, as the cancer would surely spread to the rest of her body. She's not a young cat by any means. She's 11 or 12 years old and the operation was extremely expensive. But, I decided to go through with it so she should at least have a few more good years and die of old age instead of disease.

This is Deli the day before she had her leg amputated. She's now getting around on 3 legs and seems to be improving each day. It's been about 3 weeks since the operation now.

 

[toggleswitch]

Rich & Chuck:
A rapid healing to you both.

Mike, Versatronic:
Glad to hear your kitty is doing ok.

 

[maytagbear]

Ahh-

I am very sorry about Max.

Rich, Chuck...My heart is out to you both.

I'm still missing LJ the wonder cat a lot. Boris, my new buddy, is very cool, and I am glad to have him.

Mike, LJ was a tripod kitty, and nothing short of an inoperable cancer kept him down. I'm wishing you more good years with Deli.

Love,

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[tomturbomatic]

Rich and Chuck, I am sorry for your great loss. I saw a parrot like our Rascal the other day and remembered what a character he was and how sad we were to lose him more than 20 years ago.

Just the other day on Animal Planet's Funniest Animals, they showed a video of two ferrets playing in a box of packing peanuts. They were having a great time and kept the whole box of peanuts churning. If ever an animal was suited to playing in packing peanuts it is the ferret. I am glad that you are among those who believe that other "aminals" besides humans have souls. Maybe if more people would admit that to themselves, there would be better treatment of all beings.

Wounded hearts take a lot of time to heal. I hope yours heal well and as quickly as possible and that, in time, memories of Max will be more of the joy he brought and less of the pain of his leaving.
Tom

 

[cleanteamofny]

Rich and Chuck,

I'm sorry for your lost!
My heart goes out to the both of you since max has been a part of your family. I will keep the both you in prayer and I hope that you can find another one who will get along with the other two!

Larry

 

[andrewinorlando]

I lost my beautiful baby girl, Suki, an Akita, to the perils of old age just 3 months ago. You somehow just never get over it, but it's nice to have others to share in that overwhleming sense of loss with you, even if they're just the folks you know online.

Mike - glad that your cat is recovering and doing well.

Life is so much better with animals!! Like 'em better then people some days!

 

[panthera]

loss of a loved one

I have had contact to a few folks here who have lost their loved ones. My heart goes out to all of you.
And best wishes for everyone who is healing. Four, three and two legged.
Your status in heaven is determined by how you treat your dumb friends - and the seventh ring of hell reserved for the non-human two-legged vermin who sometimes cause pain and suffering for them.
Rich, Chuck, Troy and Lawrence- my heart goes out to you. Mike, you hang in there. Some cats live their nine lives with you - some chose to spend only one or two. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Keven

 

[maytagbear]

attempt at humour:

They (cats, dogs, ferrets-carpet sharks-ferts, guineas, ratties, birds...) get fed, groomed, petted, scooped, vet care.....

So, who, pray tell, is the "dumb animal" in the equation?

"Life without fur on the hoof ain't life."
LWP

Love and a smile,

Lawrence

 

[Acerone]

Sorry to hear about your fuzzy Rich.

 

[kenmore58]

Because we talk almost every day, I know there's no need to verbalize here how I feel.

Just know you're in my thoughts.

Ron

 

[westytoploader]

Rich, sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my prayers.

Austin

 

[perc-o-prince]

Thank you all so much

It has been a hell of a day. I had to drive to New Hampshire to pick him up(he has been under a specialists care for 2 weeks) and we buried his little body a few hours ago. The sadness is great BUT reading all of your kind wishes and thoughts has made it so much better!

Knowing that people care means more than anything else!!

Thank you all!!!!

Rich and Chuck

 

[abcomatic]

so sorry Rich and Chuck

It is very hard to lose a pet. It will take time to feel better but you will always remember. Crying here as I write this. My greyhound dog died last year at this time(a year ago last Thurs)from eating some Advil. Pets sure do have a spot in our hearts. I have a new greyhound(Fred) but he isn't the same as Walker was. Take care now and you will feel better soon. Gary

 

[panthera]

bald statement of fact

After living for 22 years with cats and 14 nose to cold and wet with a wolf, trust me on this.
I know who the dumb ones are.
And it ain't the furry quadrapeds.
Hope everyone and their two-legged friends have found some peace in the night - it is a glorious morning here today.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Gary,

I'm so sorry to hear of that horrible accident! You hear the warnings about pets getting into poisons but, I guess, we think that it can't happen to us!

Thanks for sharing that with us.

Rich

 

[hoover1060]

These posts just rip my heart out

Rich, my thoughts and prayers go with you, I am sorry for your loss. I've walked in those shoes once when my sister's dog Peanut passed away 2 years ago. Its hurts like a B**CH!
I know too I can't imagine life without my Jack.

That Rainbow Bridge gets me every time, what a comfort to know they wait for us!
I have to admit though, I can't read that without it opening the floodgates!
Peace to you,
jeff

 

[bobbyderegis]

Rich and Chuck,

So sorry to hear about Max. He'll be missed greatly- the frisky full of life ones leave the biggest voids. I'll be in touch soon, and let me know if there is anything I can do. These animals are our babies, and I know how tough it is to say goodbye. Hugs,

Bobby in Boston

 

[user 12105]

Gary..sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved ferret. I had one too that died 6 years ago...still miss him, but it gets easier with time. Good to see other ferret lovers out there.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Rich, wow that is so sad to hear. I'm glad you can share it with us, we are all sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[mixfinder]

Two Dogs

A women had two small dogs that were the love of her life. When they died, she could not bear to be without them. She took them to a specialist to have them preserved.

"Madam", the technician asked, "would you like the dogs mounted as well?"

"No", sniffed the bereaved women, "I would prefer them lying on their sides."

I had an Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, that we raised from a pup. When the kids all left home and I retired, Silver and I became his best friend. We went everywhere together. I took him to church, work, doctor appointments, visiting, and anywhere I went. He crawled in bed the moment my wife got up and watched and followed me every step I took. He had two white eyes. Because his eyes were so peculiar he scared people, especially the superstitious ones. He watched and once in a while he would let a low growl so I would know he was wary of them.
One time an insurance salesman came to the house. The dog lay next to me and growled the whole time.

"Relax, Sliver", I told him, "this is an insurance saleman. They taste like Jehovah's Witness!"

Needless to say the saleman didn't think it was funny.

Losing him was really hard.

Kelly

 

[perc-o-prince]

I have to admit though, I can't read that without it ope

You too!!!

I could barely see the keyboard just trying to cut and paste the damn poem!!!

Thanks all for your kind support. I was always a dog person (had 13 shepherds at one time) but having a ferett is a very different experience. You don't own a ferett....they own YOU! They sneak in and steal your heart with their sweet little faces and highly intelligent antics.

I will most miss sharing my tootsie pops and popsicles with him. He would climb up my chest and wait for me. I would let him come in for a lick and he would, shaking his head from the tart. Only after I would take another lick he would see that it was OK. Then he would share it with me (not too much, though, because of the sugar). I'm sure that this will gross out some people but feretts are very clean animals who don't seem to lick their "nether" region!!

It's comforting to hear all of your stories and memories. Again, thank you.

Rich

 

[Maytagmom]

Sorry to hear about this Rich

To you and your partner, my condolences. I read the Rainbow Bridge poem last year. One of the members here had lost a pet, and I remember crying when I read it then. Then the inevitable happens,
December I had to put my beloved 10 y.o Jasmine kitty down. (The day of the Texas wash-in) There was a rainbow brige website where you post a memorial for your pet. Daughter and I did that, and it was comforting to see it posted out in cyberworld.
I still cry every time I read that poem. I hope both of your hearts heal a little for the loss you are both experiencing.

Regards,
C

 

[rayjay]

Rich and Chuck,

What a touching poem.

Again, my condolencs. Thinking of the both or yoy.

Ray

 

[Brneyedgrl80]

So sad...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.

This just makes us all realize how enriched our lives are because of our furry (and not so furry) companions.

 

[peterh770]

Man, that stupid rainbow bridge story anihilates me every time! Just the thought chokes me up...

When I finally go, you will all hear a veritable stampede of cat paws running at me...

Sorry for your loss, Rich...