Sunday, August 28, 2022

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2022, My Babies



ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:

Deb Barnes founded Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day (RBRD) in 2015 as a special day for pet guardians to honor the memory of those beloved pets in their life they have loved and lost, but never forgotten – whether fur, fin, feathers, scales or something else. It’s held every year on August 28, in honor of the day Deb had to say goodbye to her  precious Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, the meow author of Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond.  




My "Baby Bobo"




The first to make his way over the Bridge was my precious Angel Bobo. I had found Bobo late in 1989 during a blizzard in Ohio. He was approximately 6 months old at the time. I was blessed to have him in my life for 18 years. Bobo was truly MY cat. He hated other cats, wasn't a fan of dogs (except for one Sheltie who lived near us in Ohio, that Sheltie was named Kelly and they used to eat grass together when Bobo would go outside on his leash.).



 Bobo was the first kitty I had ever share my life. We had a bond that I thought would never ever be as intense as it was, until:

My Cody

 

My Cody, My Codester, my precious love bug, my cuddle bug, my shadow, my heart, my soul. My "Velcro kitty". When Cody was adopted July of 2007 (two weeks after my Bobo passed), I never, ever thought that I would have a bond like that again. My Cody, the day I adopted him he crawled up my chest at Petco and wouldn't let go. From that day on until his tragic, unexpected death in 2020, he DID NOT LET GO. My chicken loving, catnip loving, Sheltie-loving cuddle bug only wanted to be loved from the moment we laid eyes on each other.

Cody was the reason that this blog began. He was my "co-pilot", my sidekick. Our blog started October of 2009 and to honor his memory, while the name of the blog has changed, the link never, ever will.



Cody gave me more happiness, love and yes, heartbreak than I could ever imagine. My precious boy, I miss you beyond words.

I used to love when Cody played with certain toys from kittenhood on, he would do a somersault while he played. It was the cutest ever. Cody was a "people cat". Anyone who entered our home, in his mind, was his friend.





He spent every single night on the armrest of the couch next to me while I watched TV. To this day, that armrest remains empty. 

When he wasn't sitting with, or following me, or playing with his brother, Cody loved nothing more than to spend time in his cherished cat tree.



I will be forever grateful for Cody's cat tree as well as his custom-made urn, where Cody is at rest. He gets to spend eternity in his favorite spot in the world, his cat tree.

My Dakota, My First Sheltie



Believe it or not, when Dakota joined our family in October of 2007, while I loved him, it took us a few years for us to truly form the deep bond that we had.

Daddy was the one who used to take Dakota to the Vet and to grooming, so he bonded with him earlier than I did. While I was CRAZY about Dakota, our bond deep bond began probably when he was about two years old. From that time on, Dakota and I were deeply bonded. So much so that he had an uncanny sense of understanding my emotions, coming to me to give me kisses when I would cry. He was my cooking buddy; he would watch me like a hawk from the babygate whenever I would cook, and I would tell him everything I was doing.

Dakota was stoic, funny, barky, quirky, handsome, loving, loyal and all I could have hoped for from my first Sheltie. Dakota was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream of being a mom to a Sheltie. I couldn't have asked for a better dog.

He adored his Daddy and his Mama, popcorn, apples, chicken, hamburgers and his beloved red, white and blue ball. 



He didn't like other dogs, wasn't a fan of that many people, but he was fiercely loyal to his Daddy, Mama and to his brother, Cody. Dakota loved with everything he had, even in his last moments. I am grateful for each and every moment I had with this special boy and miss him terribly.

Dakota and Cody adored each other. Many who wrote me notes of comfort when they passed, a mere 9 days apart, felt that the two of them planned on leaving together.  I'm not surprised. When Cody passed first, Dakota was lost. He kept looking for Cody everywhere, it was the most heartbreaking thing to witness. Dakota had already been diagnosed with cancer (Hemangiosarcoma), and when Cody left us, it was as if Dakota lost his will to live. He wanted to be with his Daddy and Mama but missed his brother terribly.


The photo below was the last photo of the boys taken together; it was taken extremely close to when they passed. I am grateful that I have it. Cody and Dakota brought his Daddy and Mama more joy and silly, loving moments than we ever could have imagined.










This is the sweatshirt that was on the floor of the closet
where Cody ultimately passed.
He chose to lay next to it.
This sweatshirt had been missing for years.
Until Cody passed away on it.
"Coincidence? I think not."
To each and every one of you who have lost beloved babies,
please remember:
"We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun"--John Lennon




Thank you, my precious pets, for your unconditional love, for the happy times and memories that will live with me forever. Thank you, my beloved Cody, for this blog and all that I experienced because you were the first to make it possible. Love forever to all of you, always, your Mama.

I didn't intend for this post to be quite this long, and I thank you for taking the time to read it. I also would like to thank Deb Barnes for creating this wonderful event. I send my love to each and every one of you and look forward to reading your stories and seeing your photos of those "who came before." May we all derive some comfort from these posts.

25 comments:

  1. A beautiful tribute to all your Angels. Life continues but you never get over the loss of your heart cat. Hugs.

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  2. A beautiful post. Bittersweet ... but it made me wish I'd been a visitor and met them all. May they shine on for ever. ❤️
    Jan (Angel-Milo and Alfie's mom). X

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    1. I wish I had met your babies too!! Thank you and love and hugs to you!

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  3. Thank you for sharing today, Caren. I know how hard this was and how deeply you love your precious babies. It was touching to remember how your babies came into your life and to read about they interacted and bonded with you. Much love and purrs from Deb, her angels, and the Zee/Zoey gang.

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    1. Thank you so much Deb, I know you know! My tears flowed when I read your beautiful tribute. This was the FIRST time since the boys passed that I was able to actually type without a complete meltdown.....(that came AFTER when I was reading it). Progress. Much love back!

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  4. A meaningful tribute to your Bridge Angels, Caren. Hugs and purrs from the kitties and me.

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  5. So special, Caren. Your love for Bobo, Cody, and Dakota is so evident in your words and the photos you used in your post. That photo of Dakota and Cody always makes me smile, and I'm glad you included it. Purrs, love, and hugs as you remember your beloved angels. XO

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  6. Thanks for sharing your Remembrance Day stories and photos

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  7. Loved seeing your post, Caren. So much heart xo Layla

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  8. All your angels were beautiful. Very nice remembrance post for them. XO

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  9. What a lovely tribute to your special angels.

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  10. They were both so sweet and adorable and your post was heartfelt and lovely Caren. Hugs from us.

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    1. thank you soooo much!!!! I know you know all too well......it's just the worst :( ((((hugs)))) back

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    1. thank you so much Melissa!!!! Your kind words mean a lot to me! xoxo

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  12. Such beautiful special angels. Purrs to you as you remember them this day.

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  13. I felt tears welling up as I too still miss your 'boys', and yes, it hurts severely when we think on the Angels we have, now.
    I have Seven, shared with hubby, and we each have others that were from before we met.

    Big hugs to you, and love too. ♥

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    1. ((((big hugs)))) and love to you and hubby as well!!!!! xoxo

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  14. We're remembering Bobo, Cody, and Dakota with you.

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  15. Pets leave pawprints on your heart.

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