RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY ~ The Angels of 2023

 

THANKFUL THURSDAY ~ May Our Rainbow Friends

 ~ a special thank you to a very special friend who sent these lovely "cheer you up" flowers yesterday ~

Today, Our Rainbow Friends has published the May edition, for 

beloved pets who crossed their bridge last month.

Comments for those who cared so much for them are always appreciated.

Our Rainbow Friends

THE LETTER M ~ MOM

THE LETTER M ~ MOM

I was always the welcome recipient of old family photos when offered by others who might be downsizing and ready to pass on to the next generation.  I'd scour the secondhand and thrift stores for antique or old-looking frames for each and when I had a home, always found a place to display my collection.  A time came when I handed these on to the next generation, but not before photographing and saving many in my computer files.

Here, a favorite of my Mom and Grandma ~ circa late 1914/early 1915, likely taken in Wichita Falls, Texas where they lived at the time. Photographs then were precious, formal portraits.  This image remains special as my Mom is dressed in her baptismal gown, preserved by Grandma and worn by my own children 60-years later for their christenings.

Please visit the March edition of

Our Rainbow Friends

to remember our pets loved and lost.

Thank you.

 

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

ONE IS TOO MANY ~

For many years we have made Rainbow Bridge images for our pet friends who crossed their bridge.  Often it is hard to do, especially when we have come to know ~ and deeply care for the cat or dog, and the family who loved them.  This is not to dismiss any others, for I learn to know them as I search through their blogs, looking for that one photo that will best represent them, and read their stories.  Each loss is one too many.

I do want to thank those who take the time to let me know of crossings, though I try to visit many blogs, many I do not see.

Over just the past few days, it has been very crowded at the bridge, almost like a "traffic jam at rush hour".  We will never know or understand why.  Nor will our hearts hurt any less.

In just two days I was told of seven ~ yes, seven ~ of our beautiful friends, who have made this journey.  

Each one is being shown and shared, yesterday, today, tomorrow on both The Cat Blogosphere and on the Power of the Paw, where you will find their pictures and links to each blog.  Please remember every one.

"a pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered"

 

FOR A SPECIAL FRIEND and a RAINBOW CROSSING and a Thankful Thursday Story

This is MAX.  Max has crossed his Rainbow Bridge, to be reunited 

with his beloved Amber, who left in January 2020.

They were best known as the DaWeenies of Florida, 

arriving there in 2004 as two little teenie-weenies, 

you could hold in the palm of your hand!

Both were blessed to live a good and long life ~ 

though it is never long enough, is it?

Below, a few images of the two together followed by a story.

A "thankful Thursday" story ~ of course, never thankful to have lost a beloved

pet ~ but thankful for the home, the family, the Mom he had, please read on ...

 

MAX, and Amber before, lived with Linda in Florida, I had the privilege to meet Linda 

once when I lived there, let me tell you about her ~ 

you see, Max and Amber had many, many siblings over many years.  

Community shelters would know to make a call to Linda, 

tell her of the older, the sick, injured and

ailing pups that none would adopt.  Those nearing their end of days.

They knew, without question, these pups would find a home with Linda.

They did.  Pup after pup after pup.  Adopted, cared for and loved, until

it was time for their crossing of the bridge.

The DaWeenies home was a home for all, and when that time came, each

would live on in the private Memory Garden, still cared for, still loved, not forgotten.

~ ~ ~

Since 2012, Linda has been the heart and soul of

Our Rainbow Friends.

Each month she posts images, edits and publishes

this blog in memory of all pets who have crossed their rainbow bridge.

Her devotion and commitment and love shown to so

many has been boundless.

To say thank you seems inadequate, to say I am sorry for your loss seems too little.

May all your beloved pups rest in peace, forever.

DaWeenies of Florida

RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY

 

I believe our angels should be remembered with smiles, with laughter, not just with loss and in sadness.  Maggy and Zoey, close in age and of the same breed, adopted only a few months apart, were rarely friends.  They stayed at safe distances from each other, not sharing space to nap or sleep, though their bowls were side by side they ate separately.  Oh, there were a few moments of chasing and rassling play, usually ending in hissing with paws raised and running off to hide in their own corners!  They were Florida-Girls all their lives and I once wrote a poem about them called IN THE LAND OF ZOOLATRY.  It was based on the song lyrics, "Puff, The Magic Dragon" by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow, (c) 1963. Today, I share the poem with you, updated slightly from the original.  And my wish for you on this Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is to remember your beloved pets with a smile on your face, today and every day, forever. 

IN THE LAND OF ZOOLATRY

Purrs ~ two little kitties, they lived by the sea.

They romped and rollicked through their days in the Land of Zoolatry.

Many friends would visit, their pictures all could see, and read the stories

of their glories, they shared with you and me.

Purrs ~ two little kitties, who lived by the sea.

Who played, who preened throughout their days in the Land of Zoolatry.

Together they would travel, visit bloggers far and wide,

meeting friends, swishing tails, the ZH by their side.

Purrs ~ our little himmies, living by the sea,

they would hiss and fur would fly in that Land of Zoolatry.

Purrs ~ little Mags and ZoZo, who lived by the sea,

they loved their blog, they loved their friends

in the Land of Zoolatry.

Yet we all know the time will come, a time we cannot name.

A time to travel far from home, things do not stay the same.

Here on earth, sweet memories, broken hearts, but love.

Our pets must cross their Rainbow Bridge to live on up above.

Purrs ~ my little kitties, who once lived by the sea,

now forever young in the Land of Heaven,

 remembered with smiles in the Land of Zoolatry.

MONDAY THOUGHTS

Early in the morning is quiet time, thinking time.  And looking out the window, waiting for sunrise,

hearing the church bells, I think how wonderful it would be if we didn't have to say farewell

to family and friends.  I'm only ten months old and have already said farewell too many times, it is sad.  

But I am told that there is a "time for everything" and this time must come too.

  Today we remember friends who crossed their Rainbow Bridge 

just last month, please let us all pause and say farewell.

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

 

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 We should all choose kindness each and every day.  I will be thankful for the day that happens.

I will also be thankful when she remembers to put milk-and-sugar in my

morning coffee ~ I've obviously stuck my little nose in the wrong cup here, YUK!

Our Rainbow Friends has published today in memory of those who crossed their

Rainbow Bridge last month ~ please visit with your words of kindness.

Let's all join the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY

Loved and lost ~ there are always too many, today we pause to remember those

close to our hearts who left us during the past year, may they and all those who went before

rest well, run free ~ forever.

In 2019, my own Maggy, my heart cat.

In 2020, my silly clown, dearest Zoey.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2020

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

The July edition of Our Rainbow Friends has published.

Please show you care by stopping by and remembering our friends loved and lost not long ago.

Thank you.

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

Comments here are off today, please visit Our Rainbow Friends.

AWWW MONDAY and OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

AWWW MONDAY

Awww, those velvet ears.

Join the Awww Mondays Blog Hop

brought to you by

COMEDY PLUS

Today and in the days ahead, please visit OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS ~ leave a word of comfort for those dear friends who crossed their Rainbow Bridge during the month of May.  Your kindness always means so much to those left behind.  It is always heart breaking to miss a friend and not be able to include them ~ so please, any time any blogger is aware of a pet crossing, please feel free to send us an email with any information you may have. Thank you.

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

~ DIO ~

The First Grand Dog

Born October 2005 ~ Adopted December 2006 ~ Over the Rainbow Bridge June 5, 2020

During my many years of living in Florida (on the East coast) and going over to the Orlando area to visit my son, daughter in law and two grandchildren ~ I'd always enjoy a cuddle and hug with this big ole teddy-bear of a dog, Dio.  The one-ear-up Dio!  

I do not think there is a photo in my files of Dio, alone or with either of my grands, taken during his 14-years, where there is not one-ear-up and one-ear down: t'was his signature look!  And his signature behavior: soft and gentle, laid back, loving.  But his time came, 

as it does for all.  Farewell, handsome boy.  May you rest well and healthy, beyond the rainbow.  You were loved.

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

Please visit to remember our friends 

who crossed the Rainbow Bridge during February.

They were so much loved, and your words of comfort mean much.

Thank You.

ourrainbowfriends.blogspot.com

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

Please visit in memory of our friends who crossed their Rainbow Bridge during January.

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE ~ FAZ, the CAT

FAZAKERLEY

Rescued at the tender age of six months, Faz took up residence and made her home happily in the quiet neighborhoods surrounding Wimbledon where so many came to know and love her as the affectionate girl she was, often seen sunbathing in her garden, enjoying the outdoor life.  She also became a regular online, a favored

cat blogger with her beauty and sweet manner.  

For the last several years, she has not blogged.  And poor health has taken a toll.  She was no longer able to see or hear yet as the above photo clearly shows, a very recent photo ~ she could still enjoy the luxury of a garden sunbath.  Faz crossed her bridge at the age of 18 years and leaves many hearts broken.

Please leave your comments here for Christine, and for family and friends, in memory of FAZ, the Cat.

Thank You.

OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE ~ MRS. OZ

Image by The Cat Realm

Once upon a time, when the cat blogging community was so very much smaller than it is today.  When there was no social media for posting. A time when we all seemed to know one another on a more personal level ... there was a blog (no longer active) that everyone turned to every day.  A blog that was always creative with its photos ... one that was humorous and imaginative ... one whose cats made us smile, or even laugh.  A blog that brought us events we could share in, such as NOMS day ... that blog was The Cat Realm.  It was a sad time when The Cat Realm retired from active blogging, once in awhile, popping up to comment here or there.  We missed their antics ... but we never forgot them.  

Now we have learned, sadly, that a star of the realm, the dear Mrs. Oz, has left us .... and it was written ... 

"with great heart ache, I am letting you know that Mrs. Oz has gone to the Rainbow Bridge.  She had lived a long and good love but I miss her terribly.  Charly, the maid."

As there is no blog for The Cat Realm, we invite you to leave comments here for Mrs. Oz, for those she has left behind in sadness, thank you.

Update: it has just come to my attention that The Cat Realm has posted

for dear Mrs. Oz, so please visit their blog to leave comments.  Thank You.

THE CAT REALM

RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY

~ About Our Angels ~ 

MAGGY, my heart cat was adopted in 2005 when my husband and I lived on the 

East coast of Florida.  After he passed away, it was necessary to find a new home for her and 

she moved to the best home ever ~ with Miss Peggy and her many kitties on the Gulf coast of Florida, 

there to live the rest of her life happy, loved and enjoying salty breezes and gecko's on window screens!

TK was the heart cat of my dear and much loved friend, Miss Dee.  

Miss Dee took our little silly, toofy Zoey into her home and heart when she had to be rehomed.  

TK ever the gentleman, the senior cat

of the household graciously and kindly "put up" with the antics and botherings that Zo

imposed upon him over many years.  Years passed and as he aged, he never lost his patience.

At nearly age 20, in early 2019 he decided it was his time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.

TK, forever missed, forever loved.

SUMMER, one of several in the home of Miss Peggy.  A housemate to our Maggy, the newcomer

in May of 2013 when she arrived there.  As will happen, the clowder must rearrange itself, create

new priorities ... and so it happened over time.  Summer crossed her Rainbow Bridge a short time

before Maggy ... both in the spring of 2019, each forever loved.

~ The Angel Heart Tree ~

In memory of those loved and lost during the year.

With special thanks to Deb Barnes,
Zee & Zoey Cat Chronicles
for this very special day.

REMEMBERING OUR FRIENDS ~

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

THE POWER OF THE PAW

RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY

THOSE WHO CARE ~

OUR RAINBOW FRIENDS

THE POWER OF THE PAW

Bloggers often thank me on behalf of Our Rainbow Friends ... but I must make mention
that I am only the "messenger".  Month in and month out, since January of 2012,
Linda of the blog, DaWeenies of Florida has managed and designed the images you see every
month on this blog.  She reaches out to those we're aware have lost a pet, she searches for images
and creates their memorable pictures for Our Rainbow Friends.  So, my friends, if you are
of a mind (and heart) to say "thank you" to someone ~ please give your thanks to Linda, whose
tireless devotion to our loved and lost pets has been never ending.  We say, thank you Linda.
DA WEENIES OF FLORIDA

And for those who are asking for the power of the paw, those in need of purrs, prayers
and support ~ at any time ~ whether for our beloved pet friends, and even for their
human families ~ you need only ask Madi & Mom and the word will go forth.
The support of the caring pet community will be there for you, when you need it most.
And if you wish to say thank you to Madi & Mom ... you can visit them at their personal blog.
MY MIND'S EYE