A tribute to my little Cloie, a special German Shepherd mix who passed away at 13 years old on March 30, 2005.
The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge is a land of meadows, hills and valleys, all of it covered with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this lovely land. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. There, the old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole once more. They play all day with each other, content and comfortable.
There is only one thing missing. They are not with the special person who loves them on Earth. So each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! Then, the nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring! You have been seen, and that one suddenly runs from the group!
You take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then, together, you cross the Rainbow Bridge, never again to be separated. Author Unknown
Cloie
Cloie came into my life when she was six years old. I met her at the Sacramento SPCA when I started my volunteer work there. I was her dog handler that took her to many SPCA Adoption Events in the community. Cloie was very shy and would stand or sit a my side during the entire event. Little did I know, she and I were bonding.
After six months at the shelter and still no forever home, I decided to adopt her. Cloie was a wonderful addition to my family, Doug (husband), Erika (daughter) and Sierra (Lab mix). Her first six years may not have been wonderful but the last seven were. From the day I brought her home she was always at my feet, by my side or tagging right behind me. She was loved and she knew it. Cloie suffered from kidney disease her last two years of life. When it was time for her to leave us, she passed away quietly, her laying at my side. I heard her last breath leave her body and felt her weight onto my side. She was a gentle soul.
What I learned from Cloie: I did not raise her from a puppy, I adopted her in her senior years. What mattered was the time she was with us. She was a happy girl and even towards the end on her bad days - she would still have her senior moments. One could catch a glimpse of her in her puppy days.
Cloie - I'll always have a place in my heart for you and when I think of you I smile. Love Mommy
Here are a few other furry friends that are waiting at the Rainbow Bridge
Rex
Rex went to the Rainbow Bridge on September 25, 2007. Rex was an awesome ball fetcher. His friends at Pet Sitting 4 Paws miss him very much
Henry
Henry came into our lives on January 31, 1988 when he was almost 4 years old. He left us on February 21, 2005. We put him down after he developed total kidney failure caused by the bacterial infection leptospirosis. We encourage all dog owners to investigate this disease, how it can be prevented, and the suitability and risks of vaccination.
We received flowers and cards from many friends, all of whom knew and loved Henry and who also knew how much Karen and I loved him. He was a favorite in the SOUL ("Source of Unconditional Love") Program at Mercy Hospital where he and Karen brought joy to patients and hospital staff alike, especially at Christmas when he wore his big red bow. He was, as our vet told us, a Once-in-a-lifetime-dog. She was so right. He was always fun, funny and totally adorable, huggable and kissable. He was the smartest dog in his training class, and then did whatever he wanted to once we left. He talked constantly, and Karen showed him how to lower his voice (soto voce) and throw his head back at the same time. From first thing in the morning to the last minute at night, he was our constant, beautiful, gentle cloud with ears.
We miss our beautiful boy terribly. He was a gift from God the entire time he was with us and not a minute will pass for the rest of our lives without him being in our thoughts and prayers. We know that Henry (and his uncle Winston) will be waiting for us at The Rainbow Bridge. - Ken and Karen O'Brien
Corey
Went to the Rainbow Bridge in Febuary 2005
"To our Tuggy boy"
Who went to the Rainbow Bridge in August 2005
14 1/2 years old, a sweet, lovable, happy, strong little guy. Glad we were with you to the end.
Yvonne & Ray Neal
TWIX
Went to the Rainbow Bridge on November 11, 2005
Twix was born in a litter of four kittens to a Farrell cat. It was only by chance that a friend tamed the mother enough so that when the kittens were born she could handle them. The friend had asked a number of people months before the kittens were ready for adoption and I agreed to take one. I then forgot and adopted another stray cat my son brought home. A couple months later the friend was ready to give me the cat, much to my surprise. I reluctantly took her not expecting to have two cats. She adapted well to her new home. Twix’s first name was “Twin” because she had a sister that looked just like her. She never really liked many people and would not let anyone else pet her except me. Surprisingly she liked my dogs (first Sassy and then Hunter) and was OK with the other cat.
Twix was independent (as most cats are) and was really no trouble. She never got up on the furniture and rarely used the furniture for clawing, unless trying to get my attention.
And boy was Twix a “mouser”. There were many times she brought a mouse (and even a rat) in the house and then let it go (alive). As fat as she was, it was hard to imagine that she could move that fast to catch them. I used to joke that the mouse must have been walking by her in the dark and Twix just got lucky.
What a brave cat Twix was. She was ill many months before anyone would really know what was going on inside her. It wasn’t until the tumor growing inside her got so large that Twix couldn’t bear it anymore and she stopped eating and became ill. Within days she had surgery and Twix was on the mend. About a week later the news came that it was cancer. In fact it was a very rare, aggressive type of cancer that is normally not treatable, but I was determined to try anyway.
Twix’s first chemo treatment was on Oct. 11th with a second treatment on Oct. 31st. Twix was great through both treatments, what a trooper, she never got sick and was ready to go as soon as she got back home. Both treatments failed to stop the growth of the tumor and Twix continued to have nerve damage that affected her lower extremities.