Thank you, CC.  I come here because I know I am not alone.  Those that knew
Buddy all agreed he was a fighter.  My mother gave him the knickname of old
warrior, because he truly was one.  He dodged more bullets than he had a
right to.  And I know he did it all for me, because I could just see it in
his eyes.   I never thought I'd find another kindred spirit after my first
cat, Zipper passed.  I was wrong.  I did not find the same spirit, but an
equally unique one and a mere few weeks after Zipper passed.  Or better I
say, he found me and he had been very badly hurt himself from somebody who I
know he loved.  We healed each other, two broken hearts - a perfect match.

Paul

Response from "Paul M. Cook" <pmcook@gte.net>:

Aww, jeez, Paul.  I just finished writing a response obviously while
you were writing this.

I am terribly sorry to hear it.  As I said in the other post... find
solace in that he is back to the vibrant, energetic kitty you always
knew.  There is no such thing as arthritis and pain or anything else
where he is now.

Be at peace, Buddy.  And to you, Paul.

He was one of those cats who was a real treasure, Paul.

I'm so sorry Paul.

That is some consolation, but it won't stop your heart from breaking.

Yes. I know.

Purrs for you and Buddy. You will be in my thoughts. Even as we speak, Buddy
is no doubt frolicking happily with Zipper. And someday you will all be
reunited at the Bridge.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

Aww, I'm so sorry. Hugs to you and the rest of your cats.

My sincere condolences, Paul--to you and your family, feline and
human.  We lost our alpha male Amaretto in April, and it still hurt,
but it is good to know that Buddy is an angel on your shoulder
waiting for you and his other comrades at the Bridge.

All the best,

Peg

I'm very sorry, Paul.  They are never with us long enough.

Candace

I'm very sorry, Paul.  They can never be with us long enough.

Candace

Paul, I am so sorry to hear about Buddy.  You have my heartfelt condolences.

Sue

Our condolences to you & family on Buddy's passing.

As do I.  And thankfully Budy spared me having to make that decision.

Paul

For you Paul.

I have shed so many tears this month for my friends on the internet who are
complete strangers but who I call family.  So many have lost their loved
ones in the past weeks. I am heart broken.

Rainbow Bridge Revised

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, 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 each miss someone very special to them, whom
had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one
suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Their bright
eyes are intent; Their eager bodies quiver. Suddenly they
begin to run from the group, flying over the green grass,
Their legs carrying them faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friends
finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never
to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face;
your hands again caress their beloved head, and you look
once more into the trusting eyes of your friends, so long
gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

*** "And nothing but peace and the love of your Dear Friends"****

* Author Unknown of the original poem a few lines have been changed *

This should be have been added

"Always remember We will be there even if you can't see us.
We are always Watching and Waiting. That cool puff of air you
feel across your cheek, that fleeting touch, the feeling you have
that I was walking across your bed, that moment you swear you can
hear us, that flicker of movement out of the corner of your eye.
Is just our way of saying I love you and I am with you always even
in the darkest time We Will Always Be There. Till our paws touch again
always know we love you and cherished our special time together"

Ending Added By: ( NO MORE RETAIL )
a.p.c (alt.pets.cats)
"No More Retail" Also Revised The Rainbow Bridge that you have just read.
He passed it onto me and I decided to Replace the original version of
Rainbow Bridge that I had here. (Ghost from a.p.c.)

For those who forgot I am No More Retail it is an old display name.

IF TEARS COULD BUILD A STAIRWAY

If tears could build a stairway.
   and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
   and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken
   No time to say "Goodbye."
You were gone before I knew it.
   and only Gods knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness.
   and secret tears still flow.
   What it meant to love you-
       No one can ever know.

   But now I know you want me
       to mourn for you no more:
To remember all the happy times.
       life still has much in store

   Since you'll never be forgotten.
       I pledge to you today-
  A hollowed place within my heart.
       is where you will always stay.

Author unknown

Grief Natural When Pets Depart
Don't Let Anyone Say Feelings Are Silly
Barbara A. Besteni, Staff writer

UPDATED: 11:30 am EDT August 1, 2007

"I would have taken a bullet to protect my dog," says Dawn Hanna, describing
the love she had for Liesel, her 14-year-old German shepherd.

In June 2006, Hanna, the owner of Oh Behave! Dog Training in South Florida,
could no longer deny that her beloved pet pal's deteriorating joints and
spinal issues had become too painful.

She made the difficult decision to end Liesel's suffering.

"When a dog's body gives up, it's time to say goodbye," Hannah says.

The Rainbow Bridge

Losing a pet, whether from illness, accident or simply because it has served
its earthly purpose and is ready to move to the Rainbow Bridge, is one of
the most devastating experiences in the life of a pet parent. The mystical
bonds we form with our pets make it especially difficult to resolve the wave
of emotions that overcome us when it's time to say goodbye.

"I was sad -- deeply and painfully sad. I also felt confused and
frustrated," says Peggy Cassidy who, nine years after rescuing a dog from a
shelter, recently said goodbye to River.

There's nothing wrong with those emotions, experts say.

"Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let
anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy or overly sentimental to grieve,"
says Moira Anderson Allen, author of "Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your
Pet."

"Our pets are perpetual children to us," says Gary Kurz, author of "Cold
Noses at the Pearly Gates." "They remain utterly dependent upon us
throughout their lives."

Kurz's book gently and compassionately explores a concept that people rarely
consider: animal afterlife. Whether you accept these beliefs or scoff at the
idea that animals live on, the book offers the comfort for which pet owners
yearn.

Final Act Of Love

"I feared it from the moment I realized River had lost the use of his leg,"
says Cassidy. "After consulting with two different vets, neither offered any
easy answers. The final realization came when the light left his eyes."

"Nothing can make the decision to euthanize a pet easy, but it is truly the
final act of love that you can make for your pet," Anderson advises.

Once you decide the loving thing to do is to euthanize your pet, your next
decision is finding a vet who offers the service in a manner with which
you're most comfortable and that will be the least stressful for your pet.

"Never euthanize your pet if you are not ready. If you cannot bear to be in
the room during the process, have a friend who knows the animal be there.
Give your pet permission to go. Remind her that she has taught you about a
very special bond and that you will never forget," Hanna says.

Anderson reminds people to think of themselves as well.

"Remember that being present during the euthanasia procedure can be
traumatic for you. Uncontrolled emotions and tears, though natural, are
likely to upset your pet," Anderson advises.

Hanna wanted to be in the room, however.

"I refuse to let my dogs die with strangers, so I was there for the
euthanasia procedure," Hanna says. "I spent some time saying goodbye to
Liesel's lifeless body. I touched her and pet her. The vet took the leash
and collar off and put them in a plastic bag. They are sitting on a shelf,
and I am still unable to touch them."

Home Euthanasia

Some veterinarians are also willing to euthanize a pet at home.

"I was so glad to have that option," Cassidy says. "River always hated to go
to the vet's office."

During the last minutes of his life, River heard Peggy saying the same
things she said the day she brought him home from the shelter: "It's going
to be OK, River. It's going to be OK."

Normal Feelings

Guilt, denial, anger and depression are all normal feelings that accompany
the loss of a pet. Acknowledging and finding ways to express those feelings
will help you through the grief process.

"I came to the euthanasia decision in my head long before my heart would
allow me to do it. I still question the decision, although my heart knows
that I made it out of love for my River," Cassidy says.

"The guilt, finality and emptiness of the house weigh hard on your heart and
mind," says Hanna.

"It is imperative to trust that at the moment when you were forced to make
that big decision, you did so from a position of love," Kurz says. "Don't
play the 'what if' game. Grief and sadness are important validations of your
love, but do not cheat that process with doubt and guilt."

Anderson agrees.

"Locking away grief doesn't make it go away. Express it. Cry, scream, pound
the floor, talk it out. Do what helps you the most," Anderson says.

Someone To Share With

Hanna found that talking to others helped.

"I shared my grief and tried to celebrate Liesel's life by gathering
pictures and making a scrapbook. I found the Humane Society of Broward
County grief support group to be very comforting," says Hanna. "I also did
the Humane Society of Broward County Walk for the Animals in her honor.
Creating good from loss is also very healing."

A New Pet

While getting a new pet right away might seem like a good way to ease your
pain, you should avoid the temptation.

"Get your doggie love fix by hugging your friends' dogs," Hanna suggests.

If there are other pets in your household, you should note that they grieve
as well. Pets observe every change in a household and are bound to notice
the absence of a companion. But the love of your surviving pets can be
wonderfully healing for your own grief.

"As painful as losing a pet is, it is truly a privilege to be blessed by the
love of an animal. I learned patience, kindness, trust, humility and many
other virtues in a way that only a loving creature totally dependent on you
can teach. I am a much better human because of her love," Hanna says.

Cassidy says she read somewhere that a dog is part of your life, but you are
your dog's life.

"With that in mind, I tried to give River the best life I could manage and
showered him with love whenever I was able. I feel grateful to have shared
the nine years we had together. And as much as I saved him from the pound,
he saved me at a time in my life when I needed a friend and companion," she
says.

'You Are Not Alone'

"Don't let others dictate your feelings. You are not alone. Thousands of pet
owners have gone through the same feelings," Anderson says. And as Cassidy
notes, the love we share with our pets never dies.

"Maybe he's in that wind that blows across my cheek, or that wave that
washes up on the beach," she says. "Perhaps his energy has returned in the
buds that are showing themselves on the spring trees. I know he's still with
me, still out there in some form somewhere. He'll be with me always.

Just reading and catching up, and now in tears. I'm so sorry Paul.
One of the hardest thing to deal with as a cat slave.