The Rainbow Bridge - For Shelby

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....
Author unknown...

It is with an immensely heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved cat Shelby. Some of you may have seen the pictures I have posted here of her with me in my backyard while I was out smoking. She loved the smell of tobacco and would routinely like my hand after I had been smoking.

I hadn’t seen much of her on Saturday. It was around 10:00 PM when I found her sitting on my closet floor struggling to breath. I rushed her to a 25 hour emergency veterinary clinic. I left at 3:00 Sunday morning with an empty pet carrier and a broken heart.

The sac around her heart had filled with fluid and her lungs were beginning to fill as well. The vet said her heart was just in real bad shape and unfortunately as he had seen so many time before, cats with this condition hide it incredibly well until it is too late. Even when it is caught early the chances are dire. At 16 pounds and several inches in height and length over my other cat her size was likely a contributing factor to her heart condition.

There was just something about her that made her really special to me. She was 10 years old and I have had her since she was a kitten. She slept on my lap the first night I brought her home. She got me through some rough times. No matter how bad my day was she would always be there for me when I got home. Most times I was in my recliner watching TV she would climb up on me, lay on my chest, and even lick my nose. She was never mean or clawed or bit. Okay, sometimes when I was trying to put on my socks and shoes in the morning she would lick and then bit the top of my feet.

I am very lucky and fortunate to have had her in my life. There will never be another like her.

She was a big cat with the tiniest meow.





Rest in peace Shelby. I'll see you when I get there.