Your purrs and prayers have helped me and DH so much - I read the
emails to him and he is amazed at how many people responded. Adrian,
thank you so much for setting up the Candle - I tried to set one up a
couple weeks ago for my son's Spenser. DS got up one morning, played
with Spenser, made breakfast for him and the cats, and Spenser went
and curled up in a sunspot in his bedroom. Chip (DS) walked into the
bedroom about 15 min later and nudged 'Penser - and he was gone. He
was only 10, and he was my son's first owner.  He called me up and
told me "Happy Mother's Day", and then said "this day s**ks." Love you
too, Chip!

Thank you all again,
Patti

PS:  Someone posted this poem on the Feral Cats list I am on, and I
thought iw as appropriate for this post:

NOTE FROM THE BRIDGE
author unknown

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 Bridge.
Here I dwell with God above.
Here there's no more tears of sadness.
Here 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."

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 day's chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you...
in the middle of the night.

When you think of my 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 would be no flowers,
unless there was 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 o'er.
I'm closer to you now,
than I ever was before.

There are 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 unto 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...
"My day was not in vain."

And now I am contented...
that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along
I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody
who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up,
as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street
with 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 that body to be free.
Remember you're not going...
you're coming here to me.

                -- author unknown