Year 2000 Tributes

Ian Thru Izzie

I have never known a more affectionate, loving and beautuful cat than our little boy, Ian. We miss him so much! Everything happened so fast! One day he was healthy (or so we thought) and the next day he was gone. A piece of our hearts will be missing an Ian-shaped piece until we see him again at the rainbow bridge. He gave us so much love!

Louise and Mike Czuba

Benny, you will always have the most kissable nose in the world. You were April's first love, her friend and companion for 12 years. You were a true ambassador of all things equine, whether at home in your stall or on the road at a horse show. Although your death was unexpected and untimely, thank you for not allowing April to make the decision that it was time for you to go. You died with honor with your family surrounding you. Now God has welcomed you back to his home. While we were only allowed to know you for a brief time, that time will always be fondly remembered. Your stall has been filled with flowers and cards from those who knew you and many tears have been shed. Now as you watch us from above, we will endure our loss and continue with our lives. Never a day will go by that we won't think of you. Love April and Teresa

Teresa & April Phillips

Icesis, beautiful Icesis. You left us to go to the bridge. Oh how our hearts ache and the hurt is so deep. We will miss your beautiful golden face, the way you could make us smile with just a glance. I miss the way you would cuddle and sleep with me. We just miss your presence. You taught us to live each day to the fullest and never take life for granted. You taught us to open our hearts and always say I LOVE YOU for we never know when it is our time to make that journey to heaven. For all you gave us and did teach us in your short life here with us. I say Thank You and I Love You. You are free of the cancer and pain now, and you and Sheena are together. We will always smile when we think of your antics to get attention. We will always thank God that you were a part of our family. You were such a joy and a gift and you will live in our hearts forever. Chase the leaves and play in the water our friend, our baby, our beautiful Icesis. You will never be forgotten. Gregg 2nd, Debbie, Gregg & Hilary Lose

My beloved, my Ichiko

I just wish I had known how bad it was. I could have gotten him a transplant or something - but by the time I realized how seriously ill he was, it was too late. Dr. Parra in Fresno was so optimistic (telling us he could live on just fine for years and years with fluid administration) that I just thought that Dr. Hiett was being pessimistic. Oh, I wish I had known.

He was actually fine here pretty much - he just wouldn't eat so Jerry took him to the vet where he went downhill really quickly (Monday to Thursday when he died). I wondered why Dr. Hiett was so down when he called on Monday afternoon, until I went to see Iko and he was almost a different cat. I think in a way he was hiding how sick he was from me, though I don't know why.

I hope he knew how much I loved him. I hate that I wasn't with him when he went - I got there about 10 minutes late. For the first time in my entire life, I lost my car keys, and Jerry had to come home and get me, so we missed being with him at then end. That hurts so much - that he was alone without someone who loved him around.

I hope he is with me somehow, and I hope I see him again. I wish I knew I would for sure. I wish I knew that somehow I'd see him again. I wish I could just talk to him - we talked a lot and I really think we understood each other. He was always there for me - it's funny, every time I would cry, he would sit there with me, comforting me, meowing at me, patting me with his paw. So now when I cry over his being gone, the fact that he's not there to comfort me, that I don't hear him running to me, makes it even harder.

He saved my life once, years ago. I've never had anyone who loved me as simply and wholly as he did. There's just this huge chunk of love missing from me, and I don't know how I can stand it without him.

I miss so many things about him every day - the way he crossed his paws when he was happy - so I called him "Happy Paws". The way he could say the word "milk" and came running from the other end of the house if I said it, even quietly. The way he knew how to turn on the TV with the remote, and would so he and Stevie could watch the fish channel. The way, as a kitten, I'd sing "Iko Iko" to him and he'd meow the refrain with me. His huge eyes and ears - I called him "Radar" when he was little. The retentive way he rearranged every piece of litter in his box and how, when Stevie was a kitten and used it, she would run out meowing triumphantly like a little kid, and he'd grumble and go rearrange the litter until she learned how to do it right. The way he'd get upset when I took a bath and either try to drink all the water out, and when that didn't work, would sit by the tub meowing worriedly until I finally gave up and got out. The way he liked his things just so, and hated enclosed spaces (the only claustrophobic cat I ever met). The way he and Stevie slept facing each other, with their arms wrapped around each other like little furry people, her little head tucked under his chin. The way he was fastidious about everything but his ears, and left those for Stevie because she loved washing them. The way, if either he or Stevie weren't around, the one would save exactly half the food for the other. The way he would stick his paw under my hand, lever it up, and thrust first his nose, then his whole head under it until I petted him or, if I was trying to sleep, until I hid my hands under the pillow - then he would stomp on my head. The way he was stripey like a giant Tater Tot, so I called him "Tater Tot" and "Spud" and sometimes "My Tiger" and "Tigre." The way he was the biggest of all our cats, but he was a big coward and they never knew. The way he hated all the people in my life who were bad for me, but he loved my husband Jerry - who is the only person besides me he ever really loved and the only other person who was allowed to brush him. The way he loved to be brushed, head to tail, with long slow strokes. The way he'd try and use my toes and dental implements for some weird reason. The way he'd lick the scratching post when it had catnip on it, and lay there dreaming, while Stevie tore around the house like a crazy thing. The way he loved his pet fish and took care of his kittens like no dad I've ever seen - he'd climb in the box with them when Oni got out to eat and he'd and give them baths. When they were asleep he sit there looking at them with this look of wonder on his face. He loved them all but Stevie was his special daughter. The way he'd press his head hard upwards against my hand when I would pet him. He didn't play a lot - he was a more sedate type, but every once in a while he would. The way he'd come running when I called him - he always came, no matter what. I remember the way he used to cock his head, and look at me with those big bright golden eyes he was smarter than any animal I've ever known and he knew me so well. We were so used to each other I feel like I'm missing a limb, not a pet. Sometimes when I was busy I'd push him away and say, "Not now, Iko." I regret every second I didn't spend with him now.

He always slept at my feet until this last month, when he started sleeping on me. Even when he couldn't jump straight up on the bed anymore, he'd jump first on the night table and climb slowly onto the bed, and then onto me where he'd tuck his paws and just look at me. The way he talked to me non-stop at the end, even after his voice went and his meows no longer had any sound. The way, the last time I saw him he struggled to his feet and sat up for me to pet him, and tried to talk to me some more. He really seemed to be trying to comfort me, despite all the pain he was in. He was a pet and companion and most of all a friend. Always my friend, always there when I needed him, until now.

I held him for a while, after we built the coffin for him, but before I could bear to put him in it. I wanted to remember how it felt to hold him in my arms, to cup his head in my hand, to stroke him from head to tail, to touch one ear then the other while crooning "Icccchikkkkkko" (his name loosely means "beloved"). I'm so afraid of forgetting anything about him, because I loved him so much. We put in pictures - of the three of us, and of Stevie, and one of him and Stevie curled up together, and some yarn she'd played with (for her smell), and a toy (he didn't play a whole lot, but every once in a while he'd grab a toy ball and chase it all around the house), and some kitty treats, and a note from all of us telling him we loved him (Stevie rubbed it and put her paws on it). We lined it with a triple folded bath towel to make it soft, sprinkled in a little catnip, and covered him with the matching hand towel for a blanket and I crossed his paws one last time and tucked him in...

My best friend. He was killed in a freak accident where a raccoon slashed him across the face and he bled to death in minutes. It was devastating to find him--he was only out on our deck a few minutes.

Mary

Iggy gave His life to save His Master,
May He Rest In Peace ever After.

Iggy, you will be greatly missed by everyone. You are forever in our hearts, minds, and spirits. I love you my handsome Iggy Boy.

Thank you,
Andrea

Ike, as I always told you, you were my 'best cat'. For almost 20 years, you never left my side. You made me laugh and you comforted me when I was ill or sad. Nothing can replace the place you will always have in my heart. Rest in peace, dear friend.

Diane

Catnip Fields
for Ila

I want to make my way
to catnip fields
I want to play
with you
in catnip fields
I want to lay
with you
in catnip fields
I long to see you today
in dreams
of catnip fields

with infinite love and thanks from April

Rainbow Bridge
for Ila

Still my companion
by day
you are rainbow light,
a mirror to me,
by night
as we bridge death and life
my love for you/
grows ever white
as I reach for blue skies
once again

with love and thanks from your pet April

Ilie-bunny: It's been a year since we lost you and my worst fear has come true...Christmas Eve is here. Somehow I hoped we might skip over it. I've dreaded the holidays because of this day & because memories of you at Christmas stand out: Your 1st year, when you were boarded during Christmas break & I had to pry you out of the vet tech's arms when I got back because she had fallen in love with you (I could swear you gained weight, too... extra treats, no doubt!); the next year, when your cousin, Titian, knocked ornaments off the tree & tried to pin the blame on you; & the many Christmases you would snuggle under the tree, posing for that perfect picture that I never seemed to have time to take. There was that one ill-fated trip to an ASPCA Santa for pictures--Santa was definitely a dogperson, from the way he held you as if you were about to shred him (in all fairness, he didn't know you). The look of terror on both of your faces was humorous then; now I regret every little moment of unhappiness you ever had. You were almost never unhappy or stressed, though. That's how I knew last Christmas Eve you were ready to leave us. I'm so grateful to have had that last month with you; thank you, Bunny, for holding on long enough to give me that precious time. I wish you could have stayed a few more days, just one more Christmas morning so you could have gotten your new 'nip & mousie & shared a peanut butter & banana waffle one more time. Imagine, a kitty eating bananas! But then you were always slightly out of step...probably what made you so extra special to everyone who knew you.

Dmitri & I miss you terribly but we'll see you when the time is right. Be good until then...(and stop sneaking those french fries! I may still be on Earth but I know EXACTLY what you're doing, Mister Man!)

I love you, AngelBunny, Mom

My friend, my cuddler, be at peace now.

Calysta Queener

My sweet, beautiful, moody Imani-Bunny passed away last night. I miss her dearly already. She was a great friend.

She picked me to be her friend. One cold day almost four years ago, I waited in a pet store for the bus, which was late. She hopped up to the side of the pen and just LOOKED at me. And when I pet her, she liked it. I took her home that day, and through five apartments and four years, she and I were buddies.

She was a special bunny. I've never met a bunny with so much zest and personality. She epitomized mischief. She was moody and sweet. She'd bite my toes when she wanted attention. And when she thought I was asleep, she'd come over and sit with me.

I love her so much.

I miss you, my little bunnweiler.

Eileen Lucier

To Duncan:
My little boy. Your Mommy is so sorry, please forgive me, I did all I could do. You're in my heart forever and until the day we are together again- I Love You.

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You made me happy when skies were gray.
You'll never know dear how much I loved you,
But they took my sunshine away.'

Deanna Garvin Gould

I choose Impurr when I was 12 because she could jump the highest among the group. At twelve years old this was impressive. But as I grew to be a woman, my furry friend, became more like a furry child. There are not enough words to embrace her spirit and the loss I feel now because of her journey to the Rainbow Bridge. I'm amazed but not surprised how an animal without the power of words, can have a bigger impact than that of people we meet in our lives. Everyday is a struggle not to cry, because every move I make in my home, Impurr was part of. But it goes far beyond just routine, it was a bond her and I shared. She was my angel without wings. The stories I could tell will not reach the depths of her spirit. Her life is a reflection of me. Even though she may have left my pictures, my bed, my life, I vow she will never leave my heart. Immortality may be life's destiny but the Rainbow Bridge is God's fate. I can't promise these will be my last tears, but I also know smiles will reign upon my face whenever I think of how she would only eat jumbo shrimp, not the frozen or small ones, but only the best and most expensive for her palate. I can laugh at how she use to bury her head into the hot laundry or the countless times she almost burned her tail on a candle on a table where she would jump to get higher and closer to me so I could walk her around the apartment like a little baby. She never left my side and was often angered when I left the house for more than four hours. She followed me every where I went and always laid on or beside me when I slept. Or how she hated when I sang alone and aloud in my house, my screeching voice was unsettling to her. She thought giving her love and affection was better time spent. Or the varying pitched meows that would burst from her toothless mouth for no apparent reason other than to announce her presence. I could go on and on of the memories filled in my heart for the last fourteen years. I know she never had to live in this world with pain. She never experienced my love divided with another human or animal. She now waits for my return at the Rainbow Bridge with your animals that went ahead of us. I pray for everyone's broken heart tonight, and hope we may all find peace knowing there is a place more brilliant and grand where our animals play. Soon we will find it too, uniting once more never to be parted again.

Heidi

THE LONE PATH
My friend: I took a lone walk this morning down the path we have traveled together so many times before. It's quiet right now with only a faint breeze in my ears and a distant bell of another dog working in your fields. I look at the fields and remember the endless days of fun, ,running, jumping, swimming and playing. You were always filled with excitement, curiosity and a never-ending zest for life. Your happy wagging tail and wiggly butt was your trademark. It seemed as though you believed life was just absolute euphoria. I hear the scratch of shadow grass where you used to hunt the frogs? I never really knew. An occasional splash from a duck or two in your favorite pond. My lone walk has taken me to the place where you looked at the moon, laid down to rest and said good-bye to me. All is quiet here now with just the memories of you from start till finish. You have made a place in our hearts never to be replaced by another. You were our first and the Shining star of our Flat-Coat World. As you look upon us now I know you see sadness but not to worry my friend, this will only be short lived. You have brought us memories all filled with happiness and joy. A true companion. We are forever grateful my friend as we remember your wiggle right to the end.

Good-bye my friend
We Love you!

CH. C-Citys American Dream CD, SH, NA, CGC, WCX
August 28, 1995 - November 8, 2000


Tom Darcie
"Kip" (I'll miss you Indy)
"Tasha" (Indy I'll keep the couch warm for you.)

To my very special angel dog Indy....the dog that Everyone wanted to hold, touch, adopt....the dog that brought my whole family together for his funeral, the friend that followed so trustingly at my heels for his entire lifetime...I will never forget you.

Marianne Gordon

My Beloved Indy: Well, I don't know if I can write this without tears but I will try. You see, my beloved Indy had been kind of sick. we knew that before we took our vacation. But he seemed to be eating and drinking normally. My two friends checked both my cats every other day while we were on vacation. Other than they thought the cats were drinking lots of water, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Upon our return from vacation, both my cats (Sydney - my 17 year old seal-point siamese and Indy, my 15 year old blue-point siamese) came out to greet us. But Indy only took a few steps, then collapsed and layed down lethargically. I knew he was very sick. I told my husband we had to take him to the vet immediately. Thankfully the vet could see him right away. I made sure my other cat, Sydney, didn't see me put him in the blanket and then in the basket. I knew then that he wouldn't be coming home. I just felt it. I think Indy sensed it too. It was what I thought the longest 10-minute car ride of my life. I cried the whole way. Upon our arrival at the vet, he immediately took us in a room. He examined Indy and then took him out to another room for blood draw and urinalysis. We had to wait another 10 minutes for the blood test results. The next longest 10 minutes of my life. When the vet returned, I could see it in his eyes. My beloved Indy was very sick with diabetes, possible liver damage and kidney failure. My husband and I knew we had to send him to the Rainbow Bridge. So the vet left us alone for a time to say good-bye. Talk about difficult! We both cried, and Indy just looked at us and kept purring, despite his obvious pain and suffering. The vet came back in with the injection. Still purring for a brief time, the vet then said his heart had stopped. I thought I would collapse. My husband almost did. The vet then left me alone with my baby. I told him to take care and that we loved him very much and what a good cat he had been. I told him we and Sydney (his older companion) would miss him very much but that someday we would all be together again. We will be getting his ashes back after cremation so I feel like he will always be with us. At least in spirit. The hardest thing was telling my other cat, Sydney, that his partner of 24 hours a day for the last 15 years would not be coming back. I could see it in his eyes, he already knew. We cried together and Sydney just purred non-stop. I think Indy went to the Rainbow Bridge first, not only because he knew he was sick (even though he was the younger of my two babies), but he knew that I needed Sydney, my first baby, to help take away the pain of losing him. What a trooper. I just hope Sydney is able to cope with the loss of Indy. After 15 years, 24 hours a day of being together I pray Sydney doesn't have a broken heart. He looks around for Indy, crying sometimes, not able to find him. So I console him and he consoles me. Its a very difficult time. I can't eat or sleep. I'm sure it gets better with time, but how long will it take? Its only been two days and I feel lost. We also have a 6 year old dog, a Vizsla named Beau. I don't think he even knows what is going on, maybe that is for the better. But it helps having him around too. In closing, if there is anyone out there who could help me remember on Mondays to light the candle for my beloved Indy I would really appreciate it. My e-mail address is pianoplr@earthlink.net. Please someone remind me. I pray every day for all animals that have went before and all animals who are sick or suffering or facing surgery. I pray for the acceptance of my Indy at the Rainbow Bridge and know that someday, somehow, we will all be together again. Thank you all for listening and if you need to talk, I am available by e-mail and would just love to hear from any one of you who read this web page. I love you, Indy, I always will. Sydney misses you and I know that Beau does too. Take care, make some new friends and look down upon us once in a while. We will be looking up at you always. Love, "your mom" and very sad owner, Jayne.

Dear friend
I miss you as much today as I did the day you crossed the bridge.
I can't wait to see your fuzzy little face again or hold you in my arms,
so watch for me Indy...I'll meet you at the Bridge.
I love you
Mom

Inga, you were the smartest, sweetest dog I have had the honor of knowing. Your mom and I miss you terribly. Have fun until we are united once again.
Love mom and dad

Sixteen years we spent together. I never forget that day when I had to let him go to his last journey; he slept at my arms and was then free all pains caused by brain tumor. He was a really braveheart and I'll miss him forever.

Anu Ojala

Dear Inkspot thank you for adding so much to our lives; especially after Joe left for the Air Force and you became "mom's cat". You were an orphan and we rescued you, but you really rescued us. You were blind, but you taught us how to see so much more; and right to the end you were an amazing cat. We will always miss you. We love you.

Glenda and Joe Wood

Inky,
What can we say? We did our best but our best wasn't good enough. We miss you with all our hearts, and think about you every day. Everyone that has ever known you says what a sweet kitty you were. Be at peace my friend and rest in your pop-pops lap, we will surely meet again someday. Until we meet again give a much love there as you did here. We love and miss you. Roberta, Nick, Ashley, Ming , & Tabitha

Roberta Worthington

Our beloved Iris lost her battle with CRF on 09/08/00. She adopted us as her human parents and taught us what unconditional love really is. Our lives will be forever changed by her absence. We love you "Izzy Girl"..

"A memory is a picture taken with your heart"--Ginny

Ginny & Cookie Masucci

For my special baby Irish who never had a chance at life. She was so deeply loved during her short life and will never be forgotten and I will continually grieve for her.

Valerie

Irma,

We will never be able to forget the wonderful times that you gave us. The 14 pups that you raised, and the unconditional love that you gave everyone that you met. You flashed that beautiful smile whenever we came home. We will never be able to thank you for being the surrogate mother for Midge's pups when she was taken from us so suddenly. Thanks for the memories, Irma. You will live in our hearts forever.

I miss you little man, your doggie friends do too. You always did the silliest things like the time you sat in the aquarium that I had just taken all the water out of, I'll cherish that picture forever.
See you again someday.

Isaac was my little furry friend and companion. I am grateful for the time we had together and he is truly missed by me.

Barbara Malone

Isaac Kitty
You're so sweet,
And you're so pretty.

Isaac
My soft companion who meets me on the stairs everyday,
Isaac, my comforter,
My sweetheart, my love.
Isaac
The best cat in the whole world,
So beautiful, the most beautiful blue eyes, pink nose and
pink ears. So soft. So pure.
So beautiful. Your lovely white fur is so soft.
Your little motor is so precious, Isaac
Just 6 and 3/4 years old when you went to heaven.
I feel so alone, without you, my companion, my comforter.
I look for you on the bed next to me when I awake and my heart is empty because you are not there. How can I fall asleep at night without your soft chin on my wrist, the warmth of your sweetness and cuddles at my side, the
soothing sound of your little motor?

You lift your little chin high, so that I can give it a proper scratch, and your little motor starts purring.

You made this crazy world okay because you were here.
I miss your soft cuddles when you lie next to me.

I miss your little voice saying "oouut" whenever you wanted to go outdoors.
You are such a comfort to me little boy.
You are the friendliest cat. Everyone would say, "look at those beautiful blue eyes."
You are an adventuresome little kitty and love the outdoors.
You would sit on the fence and lift your nose to smell the scents on the breeze; or sleep on the swing and watch the hummingbirds zoom by.

Your favorite game is "tube-under-the-door" and you would pounce on that wriggly plastic tube under the door and carry it off, walking tall with the tube in your mouth. It still lies on the living room floor where you last pulled it through, under the bathroom door. I hope they have tubes in heaven.

You love to lie in the sun and feel its warmth on your beautiful coat.

The faucet still drips where you drank from below, in the tub, with the drop falling on your head, and your little head would wiggle a bit, but not deter from enjoying the drop at the bottom.

I remember how you would hold so still for me when I gave you a shampoo in the tub in the garage, lathering your lush, thick, white coat. Many people have told me that no other cat would do that. You are so patient. So good. So brave.

Isaac
You are a very spiritual cat, too. You enjoy peace, tranquility, and harmony. You love nature.
You were always there for me and never let me down, my soft companion.
I know that now you are with God in a higher realm and God is still caring for you. I know you are enjoying a new adventure with even richer experiences.

You love your catnaps, and even while sleeping you were alert to all around. Sometimes there would be a sound on the roof and you would look up to see what it was.

I remember your soft sighs. Late in the evening you would sometimes go up to bed and wait for me there. I would miss you and go looking for you and kneel at the foot of the bed and place my head against your side and tell you what a wonderful cat you are and how much I love you. I remember the soft sighs you made as I spoke to you and they didn't stop as long as I stayed there. I didn't know a cat could make that sweet sound.

When we heard the news a year ago that you were FIV positive and positive for F.L., I told you that God will protect us both, no matter what, and held you close to me. You comforted me even then. My heart is empty.

You went in your own time, lying on your own carpet, in your own living room. You never gave up and ate and drank even that last morning. You have such dignity.

I look forward to the day we are together again in heaven, my soft companion.
You are so good and so pure. Dr. Rosenberg says that, "all animals go to heaven, it is the humans that have to worry."

I do not have the answers to why you were taken so soon. I thought we would grow old together. I only know that never was there a smarter cat or so intuitive. You knew everything. One day when I had flu and I was lying on the bed you came to the side of the bed and gently placed one sweet paw in the center of my palm to comfort me, as I had done a year earlier when you were not feeling well.

Isaac

You are my kitty and I am your human.

My little boy. The most wonderful, special cat there ever was. There will never be another cat as special as Isaac.

You are so graceful and so good at being cute.
You are a very elegant cat.
You are so brave.

I tried to keep you indoors where you would be safe, but there was no keeping you in. Your spirit was too big to stay indoors. You loved to be outside. You would scratch the tree trunks and brush your beautiful whiskers on the shrubs. You knew how to stop and smell the flowers.

You have your own fountain on the patio and love to drink its aerated water.
You would find a spot of sun and lie in it to feel its warmth.
You would scratch your pole that Andy gave you when you wanted to eat.
You have brought courage and comfort to Andy and me when we needed it, my soft companion.

You would come and sit by me wherever I was and it made me so happy just to know my little fellow was there beside me.
Sometimes I think I see you for a moment when I see something white sitting on your stool where you waited for presentations (of food), or lying on your green cushion in the sun, or in the laundry basket. Old habits and the longing of my heart are playing tricks on me.

How will I go on without you little boy?
You showed me how to be brave. I know that you are there waiting for me on the stairs to heaven where we will be reunited once more and this time for eternity. I miss you so much little fella.
Isaac.

Charlotte Marie Garcelon

To my big Izy,
I always knew that our time together would end, even though I always joked with you that I would be the one "to go" first. Unfortunately, the day came and God decided that you were to enter heaven before me. It has been several days and the house is empty without you. Coley misses you dearly, even though he cannot say it; I can tell in his eyes and by the way he is still looking for you. You were the head of the household and we all respected that, yes, even Coley.
You have been such a friend to me and I know you know that. When everything would go wrong and no one was there for me; you always were. You traveled half-way across the country with me in that stupid moving truck and we survived together. My life is a little more empty right now because of our separation. I know in time I will begin to heal and be able to look back on our good times together and smile; but right now it is difficult.
I know you understand now, but I just want to be able to tell you that before you died, you were very sick and you know, you were not happy. Ever since I found you, I always promised you that you would never be in pain and you would never suffer. I tried to keep that promise to you. I only wanted you to be happy; never sad. My last few minutes with you were some of the most difficult of my life but I know that you know that God was ready for you. I'm sure you are still "running the show" in your next life and I'm sure that when my time comes to join you, you will once again be my boss.
We all miss you; Joe, Coley, "Big Mama", and Uncle Toddy. Uncle Toddy loved you so very much and he has called me all this week to check on me.
Izy, you will always be a part of me, wherever I go, whomever I am with, whatever I do. I have let you go to a better place, but you will always own a piece of my heart. All my love, mama.

Isadora was a great cat. She was with me for 20 years. Her brother Beau was with us for 19 years. They both gave me great pleasure and I am grateful to have had them. I miss her very much.

Julie Phillip

Dear Ischa.

I am so sorry you were only with me a mere 4 weeks. You were always so friendly and outgoing, even though you were actually so sick. You only lived until 13 weeks of age. You would have been a beautiful german shepherd dog. I love you so my baby.

We eventually had to put you to sleep after a long hard fight with distemper. All of your litter mates were put to sleep as well. You were the second to be put down. You all died within 3 days of each other. You and your brothers were having seizures and were suffering. I wish so bad that I could have saved you.

I still cry for you all the time. Those 4 weeks you were with me, were the best 4 weeks I have had this year. You were the best thing that ever came into my life. I will never ever forget you. How I wish you could come back into my life.

I know you are here with me in spirit. I have dedicated a web site just for you my girl. www.geocities.com/mygermanshepherds dedicated in your memory.

I love you.

Karen

I'll never stop missing you my sweet girl, you will be in my heart and thoughts forever. I love you...Farewell, till we meet again.

Kim Shrader

Isis was born in Leesburg, Virginia and came to us in October of that year. She was the runt of the litter and compared to the rest of her perfect Tonkinese siblings, she was the proverbial black sheep. Isis had the coloring of a Burmese and the body-build and personality of a Siamese. Her fur was silver gray and soft as mink. Her eyes were green. In her prime she weighed only seven and a half pounds, but her lungs must have taken up most of her body. She had the biggest, loudest mouth we ever heard and the most demanding personality reflecting her absolute love and need for people. Her daddy called her "The Mouth of the South," "Screamin" Demon," "Demando Commando," and "Isis the Crisis." There was a forcefulness in that tiny little body, a fierce spirit. This was a cat who wouldn't take no for an answer, who was not afraid of authority, who had the strongest sense of self. We gave her the name Isis, evoking the power and protection of a deity. Little did we know at the time how fitting that name would be, how she would need that power and protection for the struggles to come, how her very life would reflect the dignity and strength that befits a divinity. Isis was the smartest cat we ever knew and she herself knew that she was on par, if not better, than any mere human.

Isis loved her brother Leo. They played together and chased each other. They snuggled and had lick fests which sometimes degenerated into "fights" which Isis usually won. After washing Leo's face and neck and the insides of his ears, she would start to gnaw on his head. The objective was to evict Leo so she could have the now nicely warmed up siesta bowl bed to herself. But Leo got even with her. Whenever Isis started caterwauling, Leo, although neutered, thought this was a mating call. He would grab her by the neck and pull her down on her side. she'd go along with him, let him think he was a big macho man, and then she'd pull away and take off. Isis' sisters were another matter. She peacefully co-existed with most of them, but there was one, in particular, whom she really liked to get a rise from. In fact, the very first clue we had that something was wrong with her was when she stopped picking on this sister.

Isis loved warmth: sitting in sunlight, under lamps, on radiator covers, burrowing under comforters, sitting in her people's laps. She loved to chew on shoelaces and if you left your shoes out, even briefly, you would come back to find your shoelaces slimed. She would follow her daddy around the house, screaming for attention, and when she got it, roll on the floor, stretching out like a little sausage for a tummy rub. Her daddy called her a "tube with legs." Isis was a bird-watcher. On weekend mornings, she'd ask her mom to hold her and together they would look out the window at the birdfeeder. Isis liked big birds best--doves and crows, but especially grackles. She would chatter at and sass those birds. I could just imagine the English translation. But we all thought that the jay was the real Isis-bird because he had a big mouth just like hers. Isis loved to lick her daddy's forehead and face which he stoically endured because he knew it was an expression of love. If you touched her face softly, she would push it into the palm of your hand and lick your fingers.

they're only memories now, this and so much more not written here. In November, 1995, Isis became constipated and extremely dehydrated. She was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. She spent several days in the hospital on IV fluids. After that, she became anemic and had a heart murmur. A few Epogen shots and fluids given at home brought her back as if nothing had happened. For over four years she stayed well with fluids given three times a week and periodic trips to the vet for monitoring. Then, in January, 2000, she took a turn for the worse. She started losing weight and her hind legs became weak. We had to increase the fluids to once a day, adding vitamins B6 and B12 and potassium and start her on medication for high blood pressure. She rallied again, but her comeback was not as strong as the first time. She now weighed less then five and a half pounds. In early June, she started to become withdrawn. She ate, and drank and used her litter, she moved about and was affectionate, but she was losing her spark. She tired easily. Finally, she began to vomit each evening. She was drawn and extremely thin. It was time to let go. Her body was poisoning her and it was time to free her from its prison. It was the hardest thing we ever did in our lives. The right thing, but the hardest.

As I write this, I hear jays calling outside. Jay-bird, the Isis bird. Isis, born in the year of the dragon, the twelve year cycle complete, died in the year of the dragon, five days before her twelfth birthday. Your ashes are on your daddy's bookshelf and next to them your picture in a beautiful frame of hammered silver. It was a privilege to have known you and we were blessed that you graced our lives. We love you, Isis.

Willie Morris said about the death of his dog: "They buried him under our elm tree, they said. Yet that wasn't totally true. For he really lay buried in my heart."

And that is where you are, Isis. In our hearts.

Ellen Rajewski and Tim Gonzales

In loving memory of Isolde (aged 18-1/2), twin sister of Tristan (died October 1998). Freed of your crippled body, run and join Tristan, Charley, Calliope, and Chloe at the Rainbow Bridge. The death of Isolde ended an era of Tris and Isy which lasted almost twenty years (1981-2000, beginning in the early days of our marriage). We love you all very much and will remember you always in our hearts.

Sheila, Ron, and Alex.

I-i-i-i-issey! Mama!
You taught me more about life and how to love than any other single being I have known in our twelve years together. From the minute I met you, I was in love. Unfortunately, I didn't really know how to love at that time, and I was impatient and I scared you. When I saw you run from me in fear when you were only a year old, my heart broke wide open, for I had made you that way. I was young, 21, and immature. And I promised you that I would never scare you again. I worked for so long to gain your trust, approaching you slowly and with nothing but love in my heart. I wanted to make you feel safe again, I wanted you to know nothing but love. You found a wounded part of me, and pointed it out, and helped me to heal it. You did trust me eventually, and I know that for the rest of your life, you and I were bonded in a way that no one ever truly understood or could penetrate. Except for Jeffrey. You let him in. You are an incredible and wise judge of character. You know the goodness of people, and you share that with me. I feel as though you were my little guardian angel of love and warmth all along, I always did. I always felt safe with you by my side.
Issey I miss you. I miss your rowrows and that huge, beautiful vocabulary you possess. I miss the sound of your voice, the song that I lived for and never, ever tired of. I could hear that song every minute of every day for the rest of my life and never once wish it to stop. I miss your beautiful hair, how it shone chocolate in the sunshine on your Siamese parts, and just looked slinky, inky black in other lighting. You were never anything but complex, even your fur had to have it's contradictions and mystery. I miss your eyes, and how we'd gaze into each other's with breathless wonder, when I would wink at you with one eye and you'd wink back with the same eye... and we'd do the same thing over and over.. I miss adoring you. You smelled so sweet and perfect, I love burying my face in that fur... inhaling your scent is like the sweetest, rarest, finest perfume. I miss my IsseyMamarowrow...
I miss the mornings outside and having your help in the garden. For the wisdom you gave me in your grace, no one has ever calmed me like you have. I miss you jumping over the back fence in defiance, and having to go retrieve you and telling you you are a bad little kitty as I kiss you allover and on your belly... and you would laugh in your Isseymama way. You knew you weren't ever in trouble. Issey, you never once could do wrong. Ever. And you know it. Yes, you do.
I miss your hiding in the basket on the bookshelf... doing your "Death From Above!!!!" flying floofycat routine.
Thank you for all those healing years in Tucson. You truly are family to me baby, and always will be. Thank you for believing in me to love, to love you. Thank you for sharing your cancer with me, you gave me more in this past 5 months than you know. The gift you gave me on your last night on this planet will warm me forever. How you jumped onto my princess and the pea bed will forever dumbfound me, but I am humbled greatly knowing you used every bit of strength to give me that. You hadn't been to my bed in months. God how I love you Issey.
I am so blessed, and forever changed by knowing you and there is little I can do now to repay you. There is a way though. I will live the rest of my days remembering what you taught me of love, about giving it to the very last breath and never abandoning a loved one. I will be brave with my love, as I was with you, and I will face my fears of love and never run from it again. You gave me that, I will live it now, for you. For Isseymama and MamaEmjay. My tribute to you is to live in love, with all of my love.
I will never forget you Issey. There will always be a candle burning in my home for you, a beacon of light that is yours only.
Thank you for trusting me, loving me, having adventures and traveling so well and good natured with me. I will miss you in the car, but we still have another one coming. I am taking you back to where you once belonged... and you most certainly will join me in spirit.
I will never forget when you relieved yourself in Julian's shower drain at Congress in Tucson. You are genius. Issey you are a Legend. I praise you, I worship you, I love you. Thank you for being my one and only sisterfriend, my mama, my wondercat. Thank you for being so damned hip to hang out with when we'd have company, I love how you always just joined us and participated so coolly, contributing your opinions now and then. Thank you for the (lengthy) conversations we had... Thank you for being so perfect in every way. Thank you for being.
Jeffrey loves you. His heart breaks for you. He misses his mornings with you more than he misses me. You have left so many people changed forever, you little talking wonder you.
I cannot wait until the day I see you again. My heart breaks thinking of it, how long it will take. But it will be worth all of this. That one moment... I will kiss your tummy and squeeze you and we will be in so much love, and we will laugh in our own ways. I live for that day. I live, and I love, for you. You know what a big statement I am making... and it's true.
You just rest sweetie. You fought so hard, and were so brave. I have so much respect for your being, Issey. I am happy that your body is free now. You just enjoy that sensation, enjoy being home, and playing and bossing/charming/rowrowing everyone out of your way...and mama will be there soon to join you. Let us always watch out for each other and stay in touch somehow. Now I KNOW I have an angel looking out for me.
I can't say goodbye again. I will say, namaste, and see you in a little while, mama will be there soon.
I love you with every fiber of my being.
I miss you mama.
mama emjay

To an loyal friend who will forever live in my heart, she was the joy in my heart and rather then mourn her lose I enjoy the memories she shared with me. She meant alot of my family and I and she will forever be a part of me till the day I die and meet her again on the rainbow bridge. I love you Itchy.

Love Richie, Veronica, Fluffy, Max and Hercules

Richard Amati

Itsi was my little hunni bunni she was my best friend and I pray that she is at peace now and I hope she understands that everything I put her through with all the medication and tests before she died was because I only wanted to help her. I LOVE YOU ITSI FOREVER I miss you so much I would give any thing to be able to scratch your fat butt or to feel you jump on my lap pushing your head against my hand wanting me to play with you or rub your belly.
I hope that you are happy waiting at the rainbow bridge Itsi because you deserve some happiness after all you went through and I can't wait for the day that I get to see you again .

My little guys were the best companions one could ask for. They loved attention and gave it back twice fold. Just say to them, "let's go", and they were ready to jump in the truck and go, with pleasure. I miss them terribly.

Faith

To all who are grieving with me...know that our beloved friends are playing together -- they will never be lonely.

Christina Hague

My beloved companion of 2 & half years. Thank you for the memories that you gave me. The love, joy & warmth that you brought into my life. Rest in peace my sweet little Ivory.

Nora

Ivy, I miss you so much. You were a part of my life for 13 years and we went through so much together. We ALL miss you! I know you and Jesse must be together. That day was the worst day of my life. I think about you everyday. You were so funny! You're ok now my "Old Girl".

Love,
Mommy, Poppy, Natasha, Billy & Luke

Oh puppa I miss you so much every day
I can't wait to see you again
you are my soulmate and my courage
this life without you just isn't as beautiful

Erin M. Thompson

Dear Ivy,

You passed on very suddenly yesterday but gave us some time to look into each others eyes and know our bond and friendship. I cherish your ability to totally love. I will miss your warmth and energy. I hope I did not fail you in anyway and gave you the kind of love you gave me.
Forever in my heart.

Deborah

A Tribute to my special friend......Iyella,

Memories of those we love stay with us forever.
I love you and miss you greatly.

Lynn

It's been five months now since you left my life and not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I'm crying even as I write this. Sometimes I think if I just wished hard enough that maybe I could turn back time. Do things differently, stop what happened to you. But it never works. You were so much a part of me and now that part is gone. I look for you in every furry face I see and hope with all my heart that I will find you again. My love forever, Izzie --Mommie.