Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Letter to Phoenix

Dear Phoenix,

You were born in January 2008 and for some reason your owners decided that they did not want you and took you to Kempton Park SPCA.  You stayed there until we decided to look for a kitten and you came home to us on Saturday the 31st of May 2008.

It didn't matter that you were so tiny because you soon proved that "size does not matter" as you took over the flat, climbing on everything and running around like you have always been there. 

You grew into a beautiful and strong cat with a mind and a will of your own.  You taught us what is was like to have a cat in our home, in our bed, in our cupboards and even in the tumble dryer.  You played "hide and go seek" with your food, scattering it all over the kitchen floor.  I might have grumbled as I cleaned up after you, but secretly I always chuckled as I scooped kibble.

We bought a basket and a blanket especially for you but you preferred to sleep in the laundry basket until the early hours of the morning when I would feel you settle down on my feet, sleeping there until our alarms went off.

You loved to play in the garden in between the flowers, chasing bugs.   You would roll around on the ground until your shiny black coat was covered in dirt and I had to dust you off.  Your favorite toy was a plastic straw, you would carry it around and beat it up until it was unrecognisable.

We spent many Saturdays building a "tree" for you so that you could climb and jump and get a manicure.

Then, on Monday 17 August 2009 at 15:20 you awoke from a long nap on the bedroom cupboard, came to me for a head rub and walked out the door.  This was the last time I saw you and touched you.

We went looking for you, walking around the neighborhood whilst calling your name.  We posted fliers and classified ads in the newspaper wanting to know if anybody had seen you.  I drove around the neighborhood day after day, hoping to catch a glimpse of you.  I checked and re-checked websites for lost and found pets, but you were still missing.

We still do not know or understand why this happend.  Perhaps you were needed more by another family - if so, we hope that you are happy and that they are taking good care of you.  If something else happend, we know that we will see you again someday on the Rainbow Bridge.*

We still miss you and think of you, even though it has been a year.  You might be gone but you will never, ever be forgotten.

Love,
Mom and Dad


*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 and 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 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. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away 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.

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