My dearest forum family,
It is with much sorrow that I must tell you that our beautiful blue Oliver has made his maiden flight to the Rainbow Bridge. What a wonderful, wonderful kiddenboy who has been sharing his life, here on Earth, with us. Now he takes his appointed place, like all furbabies do, at the right hand of our Creator. I know his siblings and furiends, here, and at the Bridge are celebrating his transition into an Angel.
His Dad and I wish we could celebrate, too, but right now the pain is just too much to allow us to do that.
Ollie took flight from our vet's office at approximately 11:55 am EDST.
He is survived by his Moommy and Daddyman, three horsie siblings - Saucy, Kona and Chakota, and his three kidden siblings - Ebony, Smokey and Tu.
I cannot even remember a time when we had only three kiddens in the house. Our home and hearts feel very empty, especially since we have lost one mare and three kiddens in the last nine months. It seems we are in a perpetual state of mourning and we miss our furies beyond what words can describe.
Of course...life goes on...but it is a little less rich with the passing of each of our precious animals.
Marf...would you please move Ollie to the Bridge List for us? I would appreciate it so very much. And if any of you have an extra prayer available...we would so appreciate you remembering us to God.
Godspeed Oliver...no one could have asked for a more loving critter to love and to share their lives with.
Godspeed...
With a shattered heart I offer...
Much love, many prayers and infinte HOPE,
Jabi and all of us at the NuFarmPlaz
Rest in Peace, Sir Oliver.
Maybe after you see all of your known pals, you will meet my great group of Bridge Babies & reach out to help Mom & Daddyman cope with losing you. They are heartbroken at losing you. Gone but never forgotten
Blessing's to all of you from Tx.
Nancy
Many prayers Jabi that you will find peace in your heart.
The note Oliver posted said he was ready and you did him good by letting him go. The ultimate act of love.
Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened. ~ Anatole France
Jabi,
I first read Oliver's note that he was ready to sprout his wings and fly to Rainbow Bridge, and then your sorrowful note of his journey. As I was doing so, we were having a thunder storm, and I couldn't help but feel that the claps of thunder were the welcoming committee, acknowledging that your precious baby was coming home, pain free and whole again. And the pelts of rain were the tears of the Angels sharing in your pain for both the unselfish decision you made and the loss in your heart.
Please know my household of furbabies and I send our prayers and hugs to you and daddyman.
MaryLou
Gino, Miss Jade, Smokey and Sylvia
It's hard when the passings come so close together, Jabi. It often happens, though, for those of us who make the choice to fill our homes with fur and purrs. 1988 was our bad year when Mark and Livy passed within two weeks of each other, and then our precious Sam less than six months later. I really thought I would never stop crying.
We're coming up on the five year anniversary of the passing of Thomas Trouble and Angie who crossed the Bridge in a two week period in October 2004. I spent a lot of time on Petloss.com that month, reading the Bridge Arrival stories Consta Jenkins has written, crying my silly eyes out but healing as I read those beautiful stories with the snippets of what she feels it's like for our "kiddens" at the Bridge. Tears are a good thing at times like this, Jabi. They may make our eyes red and our noses run, but they also help to wash the worst of the pain away. I wish I could have read those stories in 1988!
There is no grief without love, Jabi, but we both know that even through the pain and the tears it's worth it, and given a chance we'll do it all over again.
Hugs
Ribs
Jabi
I forgot to ask if there is something I can plant for Oliver in the Memory Garden. Maybe something blue or purple?
Dearest Kim,
That would be just wonderful. Thank you.
There is a Clematis that has a "blue" flower. Or maybe a Lilac bush. I always loved my Nanny's Lilac bushes...they smelled so beautiful.
Thank you so much for doing this. I miss Oliver so much. And it seems like we didn't have an opportunity to even mourn for Harlie as Oliver started showing symptoms two days after she made her flight to the bridge.
Our house is so empty...and my heart feels like it will never heal.
Much love, many prayers and infinite Hope,
I can't begin to imagine how awful it would be to have so many losses so close together. I'm so sorry that you had to say good-bye to yet another beloved critter.
Godspeed, Sir Oliver.
dottie
I just got access to Lisa's computer and was sad to read of Oliver's crossing. I had not had a loss since Smokey, then three close together. Rascal, my quaker parrot, Little Bit, the ferret and Sandy Dragon. Only here can people understand the significance of the loss of these pets. I miss Rascal telling me, "Good boy'" when I fed him. Gismo is the only ferret now and I still want to call out Sandy's name when I enter my room. They are all so special, aren't they?
My prayers are with you as you recover from these losses.
Nora
My dear, dear forum family,
Thank you, all, for your prayers and words. I cannot tell you how much they mean to me, but I know, with all my heart, that you KNOW how we are feeling, here. It has been a very trying and difficult year for us.
Our animals are so precious to us...each with their own personalities and needs, but the one thing they all have needed from us is Love...and they have given it back to us, unconditionally. Our hearts will ache, always, for each of our babies that have made their way to the Bridge. But...I know, with everything that I am, that we will be with them again. I KNOW this...
But...I know, with everything that I am, that we will be with them again. I KNOW this...
Of course you do, my friend. How can it possibly be otherwise? Our animal angels deserve eternity as much as we do, and as for us, we're promised happiness in the next world, and how could that promise be true if we're denied the love of our furry loved ones?
My dear Jabi, I'm so sorry that you've had to say "goodbye" yet again. You and Crawford must be feeling as if your hearts are slowly moving to the Bridge with your furkids, Dad, Randy and your Grandmother. Yet, every little bit of our hearts that are at the Bridge, we replace with empathy, understanding and the reaching out to others who also have lost part of themselves to the Bridge. I think that is the real way we heal.... by joining ourselves to others and caring for them. And you are such a perfect example of that.
I've moved Ollie, Jabi, with some tears of my own and many prayers. I've also added you and Crawford to the HN list.... and pray that the cushion of Love that is coming your way helps to eas the terribly rough edges of grief and loss.
Very gentle huggles, many prayers and lots of love
Marf