We lost our beloved Taffy at approximately 11:30am MST on Monday, October 31, 2005. Taffy was found to have Intestinal Lymphoma (click words to read about this cancer). The doctor let her go peacefully while still under anesthetic during exploratory surgery. Her wonderful vet, Dr. Koble at The Cat Doctor found a mass in her intestines and the lymphnodes surrounding her intestines where swollen about 5 times their normal size. Dr. Koble said Taffy was on the young side of a geriatric cat to get this cancer and her life was cut short unfairly. Taffy had slept under our bed for the last 3 days and was not eating/drinking and could not hold her bowels. We know she was not feeling well. When we opted for the exploratory surgery, we hoped for the best, hoped something would be found that would be cured and we could bring her home. God called her though, her little mission was complete on earth. Her mission to bring us the joy and love she did for the almost 6 years we had her after adopting her. I LOVE YOU TAFFY AND WILL MISS YOU FOREVER AND EVER! My heart aches and I wish you were here well and happy again. We are so grafeful though that we were able to hold, pet and kiss you and tell you how much we love you before your surgery. I do know you are well again, happy again and enjoying the beauty of the Rainbow Bridge now that you are gone from earth. My baby, Papa and I will be there one day to swoop you up into our loving arms and feel your tiny whiskers against our face again. We love you our little Angel Kitten!!!!!
"No Heaven will not ever be Heaven Unless my cats are there to welcome me."
The above graphic from my friend Gina, who I met online through the loss of our wonderful fathers.
THE GREATEST GIFT
I always knew this time would come,
From the very first time our eyes first met.
How I loved you then! How I love you now!
I made a promise then and I keep that promise now.
You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal,
You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.
It's for me alone to make this decision,
The price for the bright joy and pure laughter
You brought me during the time we shared.
I am the only one who can decide when it is time.
When my hope dies, and my fears ride high,
Just when I need you most, I must let you go.
It's for you alone to tell me when you are ready,
For without your guidance, I will not know
When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger,
My sorrow and my selfish heart aside
And give you the last gift, the greatest gift.
Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.
The pain of this moment is excruciating.
Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow,
And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.
For you have spoken and I have listened.
And unlike other decisions I have made,
This one brings no relief, no comfort, and no peace
For if there's one thing I have learned,
Unconditional love has a condition after all.
I must be willing to let you go when you speak to me.
I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.
Go easily now, go quickly now,
Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.
Go find the ones who have gone before you.
You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar,
I pray I will find comfort in my memories,
In the dark and lonely days ahead.
I cannot say I will not miss you, I cannot say I will not cry,
For only my tears can heal my broken heart.
But I promise you this: as long as I live, you will live
Alive in my mind, forever in my heart.
And this will be my greatest gift,
Sending you away.
Is this the measure of my unconditional love,
For only the greatest love can say
Good-bye.
Go find the rainbow bridge
We'll meet again.
Loving you has been the greatest gift of all.
Copyright by Karla Bertram 1996
All Rights Reserved ~ FOR TIARA & TOPAZ
Taffy's vet, Dr. Koble sent us a beautiful memorial card with Taffy's tiny pawprints laminated inside.
Dr. Koble wrote: "I am so very sorry about your recent loss. I hope you know my thoughts have been with you. You honestly gave Taffy the perfect balance between medicine and compasion. All cats should be so lucky to have such loving, selfless "people" in their lives. I think you made the appropriate decision for Taffy under the circumstances. You provided her the chance to pass with grace, dignity and most importantly, comfort. She is still with you in spirit and will be patiently waiting to see you again. Keep her memories close."
LETTER FROM THE BRIDGE
To My Dearest Family, some things I'd like to say
But first of all, to let you know that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from the Rainbow Bridge,
Here I dwell with God above
Here there is no more tears of sadness; there is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon, and night.
That day I had to leave you, when my life on earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family they'll be here later on.
I need you badly, you are part of My Plan
There's so much we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do
And foremost on the list was to watch and care for you,
And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight,
God and I are close to you in the middle of the night.
When you think of life on earth and all those loving years
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears
But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain
Remember there could be no flowers, unless there could be some rain
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over
Now, more than ever before my life to you is closer.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too
That as you give the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain
Then you can say to God at night and "my day was not in vain."
And now I am contented that my life was worth while,
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
Lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go.
When you are walking down the street and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go, from your body to be free,
Remember you're not going. You're coming here to me.
Author Unknown
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