Archive 2018
RAINBOW BRIDGE The Rainbow Bridge (as beautifully encapsulated in a poem of the same name - see below) is a mythological place to which cats (and other pets) go upon their death, eventually to be reunited with their carers. This 'rainbow bridge' webpage is a gallery of remembrance where much loved pets that are sadly no longer with us can be celebrated. We guarantee that we will not delete any entries from this section of the branch website.
The Rainbow Bridge
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, 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. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run 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.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Anonymous
In Loving Memory of Tala (2001 - 2018)
17-year-old Tala came into care with his brother Simba due to an allergy in the family. Tala is a Singapura and Simba was a Blue Abyssinian. On first medical examination of the cats, both had severe medical problems and sadly Simba lost his fight in November 2010.
Tala had a significant heart murmur which did cause a lot of concern over the years but this didn’t stop Tala enjoying life to the full.
It was also discovered that Tala also had had an ulcer on his eye as a kitten, limiting his vision but after a few adaptions in his home he continued to live his life the same as any normal kitty.
Recently he was diagnosed with the Kidney disease and started to receive the medication needed.
Throughout all this Tala remained a very chatty, talkative little man who was very much loved by his family.
On Saturday 29 September 2018 Tala’s health took a turn for the worst and he passed peacefully over the Rainbow Bridge with his family by his side.
In Loving Memory of Pudding ( 2007 - Jan 23 2018)
Hello. Just wanted to let you know about our cat. We got him from you around March 2016. He was called Amber at the time, we changed his name to Angus and then for some reason started calling him Pudding, which stuck. It really suited him.
He'd had a tough life- one owner had died and he'd been rehomed but didn't get on with the children there. He had been run over before we got him and had had a major operation to remove his rear left hip. I think it was around this time they also discovered that he had a heart condition and needed medication - for which we are very grateful that Cat's Protection paid for.
We saw the post on Facebook asking for a new home for him the weekend my girlfriend Maria (now wife) moved in with me. There were hundreds of comments underneath about what a beautiful cat he was, but no-one actually wanted to give him a home, seemingly due to his health.
When we had the interview and home visit I remember them saying that he might last four weeks or four months. I kind of thought it would be like fostering a cat and he wouldn't be with us for very long.
Pudding defied the odds though, and became a real part of our little family, he had loads of character, was very loving, quick to swipe when he'd had enough cuddles, and always sat at the foot of the table when we had dinner. (if it was fish he would be reaching up for some)
That he survived for so long I would put down to the love and bond he had, especially with Maria. He was my little pal but the two of them had something very special. He would always go to her in the night and licked her- she lost loads of sleep because of him but didn't mind as she loved him so much.
Pudding's health deteriorated a few months ago, and though the vet upped his medication, warned us that this was not going to work forever. For a while he was back to normal - aged a bit and with less energy - but on Sunday night he just couldn't use his back legs when he was trying to get up on the bed. He was crying with pain and it was very distressing to see. I helped him on to his bed and his back legs just felt like they weren't attached. We kept an eye on him all night and put feliway on his bed. He was quiet but is was very sad to see.
In the morning Maria took him to the vet and I am heartbroken to tell you that they put him to sleep. It was the right decision but we are so sad to have lost our little friend. Maria is inconsolable. We will really miss him.
Really I just wanted to let you know he's gone, and thank you so much for making him a part of our lives and for paying for his heart medication. He meant the world to us.
Thank you and best wishes,
Rik and Maria