Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2020: My 5 Angels, and One I Never Met

* Patch is the yellow tabby on top (February 1, 1976-August 15, 1991) He was actually my parents' first baby, as he came into their lives a year and a half before I was born. He was abandoned as a three month old kitten on my father's family dairy farm and my future grandmother, knowing how much my Mom loved cats, asked if she'd like to take him home. Prior to Patch my Mom had been over a decade without a cat in her life! He was my constant companion growing up, laying in one corner of my bed while a stack of books sat in the other. We lost him to a brain tumor at age 15.

* Sebastian is the gray boy directly beneath Patch (1993-January 8, 1997) This little guy was a neighborhood rescue. Left behind by one neighbor when they moved, he ended up in the care of an elderly couple across the road from us. When the wife passed away, a gold digger moved in on the husband and we feared the cat was on his way out. Over a period of months we turned him into a wonderful housecat after spending the majority of his life outside. Sadly he was already in his teens by this point and we lost him way too soon to kidney disease.

* The angel in the purple "Meow" frame was my first little girl, Sashi (March 31, 1998-February 15, 2006) Sashi was also the first cat I "chose" by adopting her from a local rescue group at PetSmart. She had been given up by her family at 9 years old. We were told many people thought she was beautiful but passed her by because of her age. We had nearly 8 wonderful years together before she succumbed to stomach cancer. I'd always loved cats, but Sashi was my first cat as an adult that was truly "mine". Losing her just about killed me and I thought my heart would never heal. Then I met Tara.

* Tara, my first beloved tortie, is the one who started me on this cat blogging journey (May 20, 2007-July 7, 2013) We faced her many health challenges as a team, and caring for her showed me I could do things I never thought possible. Never in a million years could I have ever seen myself giving a cat daily insulin shots, but I did...for her. Tara was my teacher cat.

* No one will ever forget my sweet little Truffles (August 20, 2013-July 7, 2015) We packed a lifetime of memories into less than two years. There's not a doubt in my mind that when my time comes and I arrive at the Rainbow Bridge, she'll be the first one running to greet me. We never got to truly say goodbye and we'll have so much to catch up on when we're reunited for eternity.

Last but not least, I want to take a moment to remember a little angel I never met but whose loss has weighed heavily on my heart. Peanut Butter was a week old kitten brought to Brooklyn’s Animal Care Center a couple weeks ago. A plea went out to rescue groups and she had an adopter on the way to pick her up the very same day when she was inexplicably euthanized. I honestly don't know how anyone could end her life and still be able to live with themselves.

I know this happens every day in shelters across America but I haven't been able to get Peanut Butter off my mind. Look at that precious face...that little paw reaching for someone to help her. She never even had a chance at life and the love all animals deserve. Peanut Butter, you mattered and have touched so many hearts. I'm sorry we failed you.

ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

This special day was created by Deborah Barnes – author, award winning blogger, and cat advocate in tribute to her cat, Mr. Jazz, who she had to say goodbye to on August 28, 2013. She shared the journey of letting him go in her book, “Purr Prints of the Heart: A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond,” a warm and heartfelt book that is written in the wise and comforting voice of Mr. Jazz himself as he shares his life and death journey to offer guidance and understanding through a cat’s perspective as to why sometimes letting a pet go can be the greatest gift you give them.

A special event page for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day has been created on Facebook so that people can share blog post links, pictures, poems, favorite memories, etc. Please click here for the link.