The Rainbow Bridge

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

I had to let my sweet Jessi Kitty go today. It was hard but it was the right thing to do. He was so very sick, he had liver failure, kidney failure, heart disease. It came on so sudden, but it was the perfect storm. I could not make the decision on Saturday, but after visiting him Saturday night at the animal hospital, I knew that I could not let him suffer. He gave me 16 years of pure joy and unconditional love. He was there through my first divorce, through all my troubles with my children; beside my bike he was the only other thing I really worried about taking from the house when I left Bill. I could always count on him for a warm, fuzzy nuzzle and a lick (he even learned not to put the rough sandpaper tongue on me).

Now Jessi, was a wild man in his day, never backing down from a fight. But he was also sweet and loving, wanting to sit in your lap and be petted and ears scratched. I will miss him, but I know he is now enjoying tuna, pain free and waiting for the day, when we will be together.

The vet gave me this, I had seen this before:

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...