I Crossed the Rainbow Bridge Today

I crossed the rainbow bridge today and I just want to let you know. I am thankful for you adopting me when I was broken, abused and mistreated. My soul was almost gone, the day you found me at the shelter but you knew I still had life.

You didn't care that my ribs were showing or that I had mange. You didn't care that I might not have been perfect but I was perfect for you. I stopped watching people pass by me because I knew they wouldn't pick me but when our eyes met, you gave me hope that I could go home with you.

I heard foot steps coming towards me and my kennel door was opened. I was put on a leash but I didn't have a clue why. I was afraid of that walk to death, but my time wasn't up yet. When I saw you sitting in the play yard waiting to meet me, I broke from my leash and ran to you. I gave you warm kisses and laid down for belly rubs. I heard you say "Yes I want him".

The dim light in my eyes went from almost nothing to exploding fireworks. You said "I am your new mommy and you have a daddy too". It was taking forever to get out of this place but you assured me that I was leaving with you.

I can't say I wasn't nervous because I had a mommy and daddy before and they did not love me. They kicked me, wouldn't feed me and gave me no cuddles. I have faith for the last time you will love me.

Finally we drove off and out of sight to the shelter. I had been there for over a year. I was beginning to think what was wrong with me. I was sad and withdrawn even though the shelter staff was very good to me. They all left at night so I slept alone in my kennel with only a small blanket. The same place I had to defecate and pee because no one let me out when I wanted to go.

I was so glad when I got to your house and you gave me a nice bath. You took me on a long walk and there was plenty of food. I didn't know what would happen at bed time but you were so loving to me all day. When the night fell you said "Come baby boy it's time for bed". I followed you hoping I wouldn't be on a cold floor but you let me climb in your bed with you. I kept thinking where is daddy. You said I had a daddy. Then you told me "daddy is away and he can't wait to meet you". You wrapped your arms around me and I put my head on your shoulders and went to sleep. You even covered me in your own blanket to make me feel safe. Was I dreaming or is this real.

Over my life I learned to trust you and love you because you gave me a second chance. I didn't want you to be sad the day I left because you gave me something that a lot of shelter dogs never get and that was a home filled with love, patience and kindness.

So now as I cross the bridge of peace, make room for a new friend to love just like you loved me. I won't feel bad. There are plenty that need love and you can just pick one like you picked me. Thank you mommy for being so kind. I knew you loved me the day you adopted me and for that I will always watch over you from above.

I crossed the rainbow bridge today and the beauty that saw, was worth a trillion dollars but I will never forget my love for you.

You thought I was a Ferrell cat just hanging out by your trash. I was filthy and full of fleas. You trapped me and brought me in to your house out of the cold. You called animal control to come and get me even though you felt bad for me. I cried that I didn't want to leave but they came and took me anyway. Days and weeks went by and I was somebody not a Ferrell cat. I had been micro chipped but no one activated it. I had been spayed and had a neat tattoo to prove it. Yet I was sad. My parents just moved and left me. I couldn't understand why. So I combed the neighborhood looking for food but the cold was making it hard. I have no front claws to protect me or even help me catch a mouse. I was alone in the world.

My eyes grew wide the day you came to the shelter. I knew you. You were looking for me but I looked so different now because I was clean. You heard someone say "she is over there" pointing at my cage. I was housed with other cats and they were my comfort. Then I saw you looking at me. "my you look so good that I am taking you home with me". I started to purr for you and let you scratch my head. The shelter said I was full of worms but they were all gone now.

I was put in a cardboard box and it was so dark in there. I could feel us moving and I was scared. It seemed like we drove on for hours but it was only 20 minutes. I heard you say "we are home". When you opened the box I jumped out like a prisoner being released from jail. I was scared and ran over to the corner. You came to pet me but I was afraid. You sat down on the floor with me as I circled you. I was afraid that you would hurt me. You spoke so softly to me that I couldn't help but come get a good rubbing.

You showed me a box of toys and oh my goodness it was full. You played with me for hours and then I climbed on top your bed and went fast to sleep. I knew I was home. My mommy my savior. You saved me from trauma and turmoil and gave me all your love.

You made sure I always had food and water and even though you left from time to time to a place called work, you always came back. I lived to be 17 years old but then you knew it was time. My body had become frail and old and I was in so much pain. So you made the decision it was time. Time to go to the rainbow bridge and live eternally in peace with other cats and dogs.

I will always watch over you and I will be okay here. Even if you want another cat I will understand because your pain of losing me is so great that you need to cuddle another baby just like me.

Animal abuse is at it's worse right now. Hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are suffering at the hands of abusers. Adopting a shelter dog or cat is one of the best things you can do. States are becoming of no kill status around the US. A cry from people who have watched the suffering and fixed the broken.

Animal abuse is now considered a felony in all 50 states. It could include jail time, probation and a large fine. We are their voice. We are their saving grace. We need to stop the cycle of breeding animals and take care of the ones already here.

There are many ways you can serve dogs and cats in a shelter. Take your old blankets and drop them off, volunteer, be a foster, buy an extra bag of food and drop it off at your local shelter. All these things help the shelter in ways you have no idea of.

Dogs and cats that are fostered can be trained to be perfect for adoption. Fostering saves lives. If you don't have time to have a full time animal then foster one until they can get adopted.

I was injured and starving and couldn't go on anymore. I laid my head down and saw the light of a big bridge. It was so beautiful and suddenly I didn't have anymore pain. I was not hungry and there were many dogs and cats to greet me.

There were fields to run in and everyone played with me. I couldn't believe I spent my life being nothing to my humans and being chained to a dog house. They never checked on me on cold or hot days. They sometimes forgot to feed me. I would have given them so much love. I lost the fight of living. My eyes grew dim and I died on a cold winter day in the snow.

As I watched down from heaven, they never checked on me for three days and by that time I was already gone. I don't know why I had to suffer but now I run free with no pain, being too hot or too cold. I can now live on to hopefully teach others what not to do to dogs like me.