Sweet Annie
When I am feeling blue, Annie seems to know. She jumps up on my lap, places her paws on each side of my neck and gives me a hug. Then she climbs up getting as close as possible to wrapping herself around my neck and purrs. Sometimes she leaps up from behind my chair lands on my shoulder and rubs her face against my cheek. And in that instant, the blues start to fade. I thank her, hug her back taking in all the warmth and love her right back. Donna, from Grayson County Humane was right when she said, “Nobody is sweeter than Annie”.
Today is Pet Remembrance Day.
Gracey, My Heart Cat.
There are still bouts of overwhelming sadness when I think of Gracey but there are also moments of joy remembering her. So many friends lost their beloved cats this past year and with each one our hearts break too because we know how difficult it is to lose our little family member. Thank you to everyone that has read the series of posts I am writing after losing Gracey starting with Since You’ve Been Gone. I receive messages from friends on their healing journey telling me how finding a kindred spirit who understands the true depth of pet loss is helping them heal their broken hearts.
Today, try to work in extra hugs, kisses, treats and snuggle time with your cats. They give us so much love and nothing will make you feel better than giving it right back.
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is a special day dedicated to honoring the memories of those beloved pets in our lives we have loved and lost, but never forgotten. Whether a pet with fur, fin, feathers, scales, or something else – one pet, or many – this page was created to honor that pet in any way that feels most comfortable to you. Post a picture, write a poem, share a favorite memory, upload a video, or write a special blog post and share the link.
ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was founded in 2015 by our friend Deb Barnes , author of the book Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond, after saying goodbye on August 28, 2013 to her beloved Ragdoll companion cat, Mr. Jazz, who had lived to the age of 15. Deb’s book’s purpose is to help others who have lost a pet and are having difficulty with the grieving process.
Mr. Jazz and Deb spent a lifetime together. The bond they shared was special. Mr. Jazz was her companion through the best and worst of times. When the realization that Mr. Jazz was dying at 15 years of age, Deb knew she would have to face the difficult and painful decision of helping let him go. Deb learned invaluable lessons from her beloved cat about life, love, grieving and letting go.
She knew her experience of loving and losing Mr. Jazz would resonate with most anyone that had lost a pet. Deb’s goal is to help others working through the loss of a loved one. Purr Prints of the Heart includes a Guide to Coping with Pet Loss section that is sure to help mend the broken-hearted.
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 and decided to create the day in his honor as a way for others across the world to share memories of their own pets they had loved and lost.
A Giant Worldwide Hug of Comfort
A few years ago, and perhaps still today, showing outward emotion and sorrow after the lost of a pet was met with ridicule and often times the bereft pet parent was dismissed and told to just get over it.
Online pet loving communities have helped those grieving reach out to find the support, compassion and love they need to process their emotions and work their way through the loss of their family member.
Today is the third Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. This day is to honor those pets that live on in our hearts. Deb wants you to think of today like a giant worldwide hug of comfort.
Remembering our Gracey, The Tiniest Tiger
Sending you gentle purrs this day, remembering one so dear, so near and so far away…
Gentle purrrs
Erin
Purrs and headbonks from Kai and a long-distance hug from this human who has gained so much pleasure from your blog guides beginning with Gracey.
I can remember the hush that fell over the crowd at BlogPaws when it was announced Gracie had passed. The hurt never quite goes away when we lose a special cat. Sending love to you today as you remember her.
Beautiful post Gracey will never be forgotten.
Sending you lots of purrs today. We love your posts about Gracey. She was one of our first Facebook friends and we still miss her.
Thank for this beautiful post, Joanne. Gracey filled the hearts of so many with love and joy and while she is greatly missed, how wonderful to have the memories to keep with you forever. I appreciate you sharing a bit of history about Rainbow Bridge Day, too. I have no doubt Mr. Jazz is honored from above to see such an outpouring of love from people worldwide. Purrs from Deb, the Zee/Zoey gang, and Purr Prints of the Heart.
Purrs to you today as you remember. <3
It’s always so hard losing a special friend. I say a prayer to Nani every night (and she’s been gone over 5 years). I feel guilty for leaving her in a clinic overnight by herself and that the procedure the vet did didn’t help her. I feel I put her through added stress for nothing when just days after she came home she was sick again.
it is so hard. i am so sorry for your losses. Gracey is remembered always.
Hugs