The wind whispers through the azalea
Melodious chimes join the lament
The air forlornly heavy in the sky
Early still as tears stain our eyes
They are all aware of the hour today
Shadow peers silently through the window
Chili curled in Boo's special spot
Early still as tears stain our eyes
Checkers wonders, aimless
As if he needs to take inventory
Remembering Boo's special scent
Early still as tears stain our eyes
Snowball lays all alone
Looking out towards heaven
Pensive, reflective, still as stone
Early still as tears stain our eyes
Ginger is out of sight
Unusual in morning light
As if he cannot face this day
Early still as tears stain our eyes
Spaz is behaving
Not at all like who she is
Her playfulness put away today
Early still as tears stain our eyes
Boo lays on the very top stair
Resigned, or perhaps ready to go
A symbolism in his choice of perch
Early still as tears stain our eyes
Mother Pina sits stoic
Holding her emotions in check
Being brave for her loving Boo Boo
Early still as tears stain our eyes
Dad sits here melancholy
Words used for tears to big to cry
spilled out across a silver screen
Early still as tears stain our eyes
110 Minutes remain for him
His time here with us almost done
Goodbye our faithful loving son
Early still, tears spilling out
Hush now the quivering lip
Be brave for a bit longer
The time is ticking down
Rainbow Bridge awaits
I've this week written for Boo, a cat of graceful style with a heart of gold. His love and devotion to his Mom a tribute to her heart which she wears proudly on her sleeve. I've posted pictures, contributed a comment here and there as this time drew ever near...now the fateful day is upon us, high noon oh to close. December 2nd 2006, almost winter with a storm moving closer in on us, yet the sun is bright, temperature almost balmy...almost as if heaven reached in to create one last salute, Boo's perfect day to say goodbye.
Snatches of songs drift in and out between my scarcely hidden tears as they spill out and race down my cheek unimpeded. "Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk with you again." 10:25 on the clock, a milestone as Boo's time is now down to double digits instead of having three. This sorrow is such a burden for one to carry, but he deserves no less than this...be brave one more time old Soldier, your Mom and Boo need your strength in these closing hours, all to fast changing into only minutes, and then all too quickly it will be only Mom as Boo makes his crossing at Rainbow Bridge.
"If I could save time in a bottle, if riches could make dreams come true, I'd save every day until eternity passes and again I would spend them with you."
If you see my Mom in Heaven Boo please tell her that I am fine...tell her not to worry, I'll get through this in time just like I always do. Snoop around and mark a cloud or two, so all the angels in the cosmos know the Piss Man has arrived. Find Pina's father, wrap yourself around his leg to share a purr or two...then leap into her Mother's arms, giving her face a lick. Tell her all about your time on earth...oh, the special times the two of you shall share. As Pina sets you free from here, know her mother's lap is waiting and that you will never be alone.
Hush now baby, don't you cry...
Going to miss you Boo. Who's going to wake up Mom for me when she over sleeps, and I am still in dreamland, trained to ignore the alarm ringing in my ear. Morning coffee will not be the same without your Meow's, your way of saying "Good Morning Dad" and "Can I have my butt rub now?" Who will sit in Daddy's chair, basking in the sun, who will keep me company when I am posting in my blogs?
...And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain. Frank Sinatra...in his own way, that was/is our Boo.
It's almost eleven, time to push Pina into the shower...I did not want her to be ready to soon, as this is going to be hard enough without her being dressed all in black to soon. We are in the magic zone, the last hour of Boo's life, and so I close this Gather Post, and with its launching into cyber space I say my own goodbye...I love you Boo...BIG BOYS DON'T CRY..BIG BOYS DON'T CRY....
but we do...............so long old fellow, you'll be always in my heart.
Daddy Tirebiter
Boo Crosses Over Rainbow Bridge at 12:37 PM
Pina Holding Tight, While Letting Go
Hush now baby don't you cry.
Crossing Over Rainbow Bridge
I've always thought/believed that our pets have a special sixth sense, are tuned into life and the after life in a way we will never know. When I downloaded the pictures from my camera to finish this piece, I found one last picture I want to share here...it leaves no doubt in my mind, that our pets, Boo's PALS knew. You all have been so supportive...God Bless and Angels Keep.
OUR CATS KNEW
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Comments: 14
will carry him to the angels.
On a completely unrelated note . . . I don't know why your screen name didn't penetrate my consciousness. My email address name is sectors_randn. Perhaps later today you and Pina can wait in the sitting room, and remember your precious friend. That photo is enough to break anyone's heart . . . look at those luminous eyes, so full of spirit.
As yo might imagine, it's being a tear filled day here at our house. Even the cats are subdued, relective. Pina is bereft...
Neither of us can express how beautiful the people here on Gather have been this week, here and in Boo's Goodbye to Mom article, not to mention many wonderfully touching private messages send to the bot of us on a daily basis.
I just put the finishing touches on Boo's memorial video, and as promised, will post a link to it after You Tube has approved it.
Boo has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, and now a few hours past his appointed time I find solace in an image of him sitting perched in the lap of Pina's Mom, both of them smiling down upon her.
First, thanks for your words...it's odd...our cats today or starting to come to grips with this reality, each of them out of sorts in their own ways...three of the little ones were all sitting in the hallway, each of them in various repose where Boo used to be, a space they normally would never occupy. They each seem to be taking turns walking around the house sniffing all of his old haunts, and Chili, the patron saint of this feline family alternates between sitting here by my lap top, and jumping down to stare out into the hallway hoping to see Boo's head popping in as it always does.
Boo is gone, and now his brothers and sisters need our help in adjusting to this new reality in their home.
I'm sitting here crying and looking at our cats. When we had the cat shelter we had many cross over to the Rainbow Bridge and oh... it was so hard. God Bless you and yours and the fur-family too. This is so touching, I'm making it a feature on First Time Writers - or www.firsttimewriters.gather.com
with love,
Marilyn
Thank you ever so much for the honor, and I know that Boo would be dancing if he were here...actually, he probably is dancing in heaven over this.
Porgie.. I'm so sorry for your loss of a beloved pet. I've been in the same position of having to have a member of the family put down for his own good. It's been over 20 years ago and I still cry when I think of my JoshuaCat. I had him for 11 years. There have been many cats in my life since him, but none have been quite the same.
There are people who say that a cat is a cat is cat and that people, like you, me and the other kind people posting here, are crazy for thinking that they have personalities and souls. I say, those people have never opened their eyes or their hearts enough to find those things. They will never know the joy and comfort that those wonderful creatures bring to a family.
I hope your pain from this is tempered by the knowledge that you did what was best for someone you loved so dearly. You have my deepest sympathy.
I am putting together the process for the next book which is titled:
"Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
Stories of love and devotion"
For those who do not know what the Rainbow Bridge is; it is a beautiful bridge pets cross over to enter heaven. A special place God has prepared just for them.
All stories placed in the book must be about pets that have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. A book of this manner deserves and shall receive only the highest of respect. If you wish for the story you placed in the Petwarmers/Heartwarmers Book to be included in the Rainbow Bridge Book; you must resubmit it using the instructions below. We can only get enough stories for the book if everyone helps spread the word about the book. (Can not put in pictures as the price of the book goes up almost eight dollars per book.) Just to expensive.
Anyone having stories for the book; go ahead and send them to me in the following format: PLEASE USE THIS EXACT FORMAT and please send only one Microsoft document per e-mail. It is much easier for me to track down a story (if necessary) if each story is only in one e-mail.
***************************************************************
I AM SAM
by: Roger Dean Kiser
Because of old age, we had just lost two more of the many animals that we had saved from abusive situations. I was not in the mood to take on any more animals, mainly because of the high veterinary costs that we had incurred throughout the years. A process we began almost ten years ago; one that that has caused us many hardships.
As the wife and I were driving near the airport, all at once she turned into the Glynn County Animal Shelter and came to a stop.
"What are we doing here?" I asked her.
"I'm not sure," she replied.
I watched as she opened her door and began walking toward the fenced building.
"Going to come in with me?"
"I'm not going in there," I almost screamed.
I sat watching, as she disappeared into large white building.
There was just something about dog pounds that I hated. Maybe it was being locked in a cage. Maybe it was the sounds of the animals wanting to be rescued and loved. Feelings that I had know very well as an abused little boy.
"Roger," yelled Judy, several minutes later.
When I turned around I saw her standing in a small fenced area, a midsized black and tan dog jumping all over her. I got out of the truck and walked over to the fence.
"Isn't he beautiful?" she asked.
I just shook my head and began walking back to the truck.
"Will you please come in here," she hollered.
I stopped, turned around, and began walking toward the main building. Once inside I was led down a long hallway, dogs barking everywhere. It was almost deafening. As I walked along I tried not to look at the hundreds of animals screaming and barking at me.
As I enter the small fenced viewing area where Judy was waiting, the dog began to jump on me. When I ran my hand down his back I noticed a large scar. I asked the attendant what had caused the injury. She told me that he had been beaten with a metal coat hanger. Looking down at my legs I looked at the many scars that I had received, as a child, while living in a Jacksonville, Florida orphanage. I too had been beaten many times with such an instrument. I felt my neck begin to swell and my throat began to tighten. Very quickly I began walking toward the main entrance to get out of the building as quickly as possible.
"HIS NAME IS SAM AND HE IS GOING TO BE PUT DOWN TOMORROW!" yelled Judy.
"We just can't afford to save any more animals," I whispered.
Unable to speak I walked to the truck, closed and locked the door and I wiped my burning red eyes.
In my heart there was a brutal battle talking place. One that I knew I would lose. Nevertheless, it was one that I had to fight.
As Sam lies on the bed, between my wife and me tonight, for some reason he begins to lick the scars on my leg. In the faint light of the television, I reach over and I begin to pat him on his large scar and I whisper to myself, "Yes, I am Sam."
Roger Dean Kiser trampolineone@earthlink.net
BIO:
Roger Dean Kiser lives in Brunswick, Georgia with his wife Judy. Roger writes many stories for the Chicken Soup for the Soul Book Series and has published seven books on child abuse and related issues. One of his greatest joys is camping and fishing with his six grandchildren.
(The following information will be for me only and not added to the book). It will only be used for mailing the books and contacting you if necessary.
YOUR NAME: Roger Dean Kiser
YOUR ADDRESS: 100 Northridge Drive
CITY STATE ZIP Brunswick, Georgia 31525
YOUR PHONE NUMBER (XXX) xxx-xxxx
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: trampolineone@earthlink.net
Those not having Microsoft Word can certainly send their story(ies) to me by e-mail. I completely understand as I was a WebTV user for five years.
When you send me the story(ies) send them with "RAINBOIW BRIDGE STORY" in the subject line of the e-mail.
Like with the Heartwarmer/Petwarmer book-The cost of each story published in the book will be $22.95. As each person gets one book for $22.95 for each story they place in the book. If you want to order three books; then you might as well put in three stories, OR write a longer story. The stories length should be between 500-1,500 words. Stories or poems can be shorter but not longer than 1,500 words. The only way to get a longer story in the book is to pay for two stories and receive one book.
DO NOT SEND ANY CHECKS/MONEY OR MONEY ORDERS LIKE WE DID BEFORE. I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS A LITTLE MORE ORGANIZED THIS TIME AROUND.
Let's make sure we have enough stories for the book(s) and if we proceed with it we will ask you to send in your payment. This last time we had checks all over the place. It was very difficult to keep track of who was who and what was what. This time let's wait until we have the book together and then send in ONE PAYMENT for your story(ies). Not two, three or four different checks/payments. That was a total mess to keep track of.
We were able to do this last book because each author, when purchasing one book at $22.95 for each story they submit; that price helps equally share in the cost of editing, developing the front and back covers, indexing, binding, publishing and mailing the books from the publisher and then out to each individual writer when the book is completed.
As before, when the book has been completely complied in a PDF Format; I will send a copy of the PDF out to each person listed in the book. It is then that I will ask you to check over your story for edits, name, e-mail addresses and BIO information. Once the book has been submitted to the publisher-No changes can be made as I have to pay for the submission up front.
I can not allow home addresses or telephone numbers to be printed in the book. Only your name (or pen name) e-mail addresses, city and town, if that is what you desire.
Roger
If interested in putting your story in this book; please contact me at: trampolineone@earthlink.net
The book information is located at:
http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone/survive3/srv601.htm
Anytime you want a PDF file on the books process, just send me an e-mail asking for a copy of the PFD of Crossing the Rainbow Bridge Book II in the subject line.
We were able to complete the first book in five weeks. Hopefully, we can get enough stories to make this book published in that same time period.
Roger