I roar for Cecil! He is here with me now and we are best of friends waiting for the day you come to join us....

The Broken Chain:

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went wih you, the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the Chain will link again.

(author unknown)

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The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

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Dear Friend

I know you are nervous as you pace up and down.
Although I can't see it, I sense that you frown.
You're sad today and yes, I know why;
The decision you've reached has made you cry.

Weep not for me nor for what you must do.
What a wonderful life I've had here with you.
Where could a stray with no place to go
Be accepted so easily by those she didn't know.

I've had freedom to run and good food to eat;
Children to play with and a warm place to sleep.
But the kids are now grown, they've all moved away;
And I've gotten old and can no longer play.

I don't see anymore nor hear very much;
Sleep most of the time, respond slightly to touch.
Yes, my dear friend, I have given my all;
For nineteen years I've lived life to it's full.

I'm ready to go. Now is the time.
Let's go to the Vet, don't change your mind.
You'll stay with me till I go to sleep,
And then bowing your head you'll softly weep.

Maybe not right away, but in time to come,
You'll understand you were my dearest friend

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May I Go?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain-filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

By Susan A. Jackson

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Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

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A Parting Prayer

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.

Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.

Amen.-

© Brandy Duckworth, 1998

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