Bridge Thoughts

Compared to humans, cats live relatively short lives. While these special companions are in our lives, we do our best to provide them with love, and with care. Sometimes, under the best circumstances, and sometimes under the worst, they are snatched away from us and leave us broken and confused and very sad. It takes time, after someone’s cat dies, for that owner to have the courage to land here in this forum section. When they do come here, I applaud them, for it means the healing can finally begin.

For some cat lovers, they cannot even come here to read, because the sorrow is to great, the grief is to overwhelming, or they have been one of the fortunate few who have not had to make that tough decision, sign that final paper- shed the first tears of many to come, and return home with empty arms.

The poem Rainbow Bridge that says author unknown- the author is known. He is grief counselor, and he used to live in Portland Oregon. His name is Paul C. Dahm and he wrote the poem after his own pet died, so he could find his way through the sorrow and emerge somewhere whole on the other side.

Those of you, who are brave enough to post here, are on your way to finding that other side of the grief. The path is not easy for you, it is not a short walk and you will discover inner truths along the way if you do not shut down your heart.

The food bowl may be empty, and your bed may be missing that furry lump snuggled next to you- but in your heart, that special cat will ride the time with you, until one day the remembrance no longer brings with it the lump in the throat or the tears and instead you will count yourself lucky to have been blessed and bonded with such a companion as the one that enriched your life enough that you sought to leave his/her memory in Crossing The Bridge~ a very special place.