Six years ago

It was 6 years ago today when Abby made her journey from the pain and suffering she was enduring in her body to the peace, joy and lightness of being we call Rainbow Bridge.


Memories . . .

My beautiful sweet Abby! You were full of life, curious and playful, as smart and sharp as a whip, loving and affectionate. Your coat was shiny and beautiful: a gorgeous mixture of reddish brown, deep orange and tan-beige and you had the spirit and spunk of a typical redhead. Yet you were such a polite kitty too!

You’d sleep on my bed next to my right shoulder every night. You loved to be picked up and held in my arms. Only Miss Mittens shared both your polite manner and loved being picked up and held and carried around the house. I used to hold you in my arms and play music on the stereo and we’d dance around the room. You’re the only kitty I’ve ever lived with who has allowed me to do that! When I came home from work, you were always waiting for me at the front door. I’d greet you and then pet you. I’d be petting you as you rolled around on your back and you’d roll from one end of the room to the other. In the summer when I was wearing sandals, you’d rub and lick my toes. In fact, you had a *thing* about toes and loved to nip and bite my toes. You'd nip my toes whenever I wasn't wearing shoes or socks and you'd go for them when I'd be lying on the bed. Ouch! I had to learn never to leave my toes exposed! You hated it when I talked on the phone. For some reason, you thought it took attention away from you and you’d get jealous. You’d meow at me and butt my hand with your head as you’d try to knock the phone out of my hand! You loved it when I sat there and *talked* to you. You gave me your full attention and it almost seemed like you understood what I was saying. You loved being the center of attention and you were always there and visible when we had visitors or anything was *going on* in the house. Every night after dinner, we’d play a game together. I’d throw a ball and you’d play fetch. You loved dangly feather toys and peacock feathers. What energy you had when you played! I remember the last time we played. It was about a week before you went to the Bridge. It’s a cherished memory. You were so sick and yet you made an attempt to play. You sat there in my bedroom as I gently rolled a toy ball to you and you gently batted it back to me. Back and forth the ball went. Our game lasted for only a minute or so and then you were too tired to continue . . .


During our final night together, I held Abby in my arms all night. Whenever Abby would lay her head down and try to close her eyes and rest, she’d begin choking and gagging. She was very frightened and so was I. She purred loudly in my arms the whole night. Purring doesn’t always mean a cat is content. Cats also purr when they’re in pain or in distress or frightened. That final night, I feared she was going to die in my arms. But she made it through the night.

Abby was suffering horribly from an aggressive lymphoma which had spread rapidly throughout her internal organs. I hadn’t even known how very sick she really was until early December when she was diagnosed with cancer. That had been only 16 days ago.

It pained me deeply to see her suffering so much. There was no doubt in my mind that it was her time to leave. The next morning, with the assistance of Abby’s wonderful vet, I held her in my arms and said goodbye.

I miss my Abby boo boo girl . . .


Abby’s mom Teri


P.S. Abby and I had a very special bond. Even though it's been 6 years, I miss her very much and my heart still aches when I think about her. Thank you for remembering my sweet angel today and for your lovely comments, pawmails and gifts!

My friend Greyson needs purrs

My sweet friend Greyson needs purrs! He’s very sick and his white blood cell count and neutrophils are alarmingly low. His blood tests only tell his vet what he doesn’t have. His vet thinks he might have bone marrow cancer and is referring him to a specialist to find out what’s wrong. Please purr for my friend Greyson!

Purrs & hugs,
Abby
(Greyson's guardian angel)

I'm a DDP!

Mommy just got home and logged onto Catster and got quite a surprise. I’m a DDP!

This is only the second time my diary has been chosen for a DDP honor and it feels very sweet! I can’t remember feeling so excited and I'm purring happy purrs! Thank you Catster diary lady for choosing my diary today!

The only thing marring this happy occasion is the loss of my friend Athena and knowing how sad her mommy is. Please keep purring for Athena’s mommy. Athena’s brother Apollo is not feeling well and also needs your purrs.

The first thing we noticed when we logged on is the kitty who is today’s DOTD. It’s our dear friend Skippy Skipster! Congratulations Skippy on DOTD!

And congrats to today’s other DDPs: The Kitten Crew, Nelly-Bell-May and Sampson Silver Dollar!

Thank you to everyone who sent congratulatory pmails and gifts!


Love,
Abby at Rainbow Bridge

The angels welcomed Athena to the Bridge last night

As beautiful Athena's earthly guardian angel, I was by her side and escorted her to the Bridge last night. We were joined by a huge host of her angel friends who wrapped her in their wings and guided her safely to her new home.

Athena has been a mainstay of the Catster community for years and one of the best loved and esteemed kitties on Catster. We are very sad that she has joined the angels and will miss her dearly!

My family and I send our condolences and love, hugs and purrs of comfort to her heartbroken mommy.

Love,
Abby & family

Today is my Gotcha Day!

Mommy remembered yesterday that today was my Gotcha Day. When she woke up this morning, she remembered the first time she and I met each other.

I was living in a foster home when mommy and I first met. The woman who fostered me had a pet gift shop in the town next to ours and would bring kitties she was fostering into her store so customers would see us and hopefully adopt us. Grandma had seen me in the store 2 days earlier and told my mommy about me. Mommy had a day off from work and came into the store 13 years ago on this date and asked to meet me. I was in a cage at the rear of the store. When I was let out of the cage, at first I jumped onto a cat tree and observed mommy. I was very friendly and let mommy pet me. Then I jumped off the cat tree and came and laid down next to mommy and let her pet me some more and fuss over me. She thought I was so pretty and sweet and fell in love with me on the spot. My foster mom and mommy talked for a long time and mommy asked to adopt me. She filled out an application and her application was approved that day. Mommy brought me home that afternoon. What a happy day that was! I was with mommy for 8 years until I went to the Bridge.

The pet gift shop is no longer there. A few years after mommy adopted me, my former foster mom relocated the store a few blocks away onto the main street of the town. When I went to the Bridge, mommy went to the store to tell my foster mom but she had sold the store to someone else and mommy couldn’t find the lady. The store went out of business last year. Nothing ever stays the same . . .

Thank you for the gifts! Mommy is very grateful to all who remembered me today.

Thank you to:

Alfie, Albie - A Sweet Angel Now, Lucy, Jack, Cathy & family
Elise & Genny (The Generator)
My sweet guardee Hamlet
My other sweet guardee Greyson
In Memory of Rebby
Nala Sue [Angel]
Finnegan, Lacey & Alex
Simon & Reuben (An angel now)
Nonny
Pounce
Steinan-In Memory, Winnie-In Memory & family
Riley & Skippy Skipster
Kallie & Joey
Sassy
Athena
Timmy Tomcat, Toby Tomcat, Buddy Tomcat & family
Ciao-Li, Jean Louise Weezer & family
Rex, Bugsy, Max, Simba & family

Hope I didn't forget anyone!


Love, Hugs, angel kisses & headbonks,
Abby

Thank you for remembering my crossing day anniversary!

Dear furriends,

First of all, a very Happy New Year to you and your family!

My crossing day anniversary was December 22 and I want to thank everyone who remembered me with their comments, pawmails and gifts. It was very busy over the holiday and then mommy got sick and that's why I haven't been able to thank you until today.

Da Tabbies O Trout Towne (my wonderful and funny
angel furriend Dude Kitty and his terrific family) for the angel Star

The very sweet Angel Kitty Thing Two and his lovely
family for the angel Star

My dear furriend and unofficial guardee Sally Maria for the angel Star

Dear furriend angel Alfie for the rainbow rosette

Sweet furriends angels Wriggley, Bunka, Dice and family Nonny,
Pinkie, Biggles, Buddy, Fluffy, Stripey and Xena for the rainbow rosette

Pretty Kelly Ann in loving memory for the red rose

Dear furriend angel Socks Bush for the heart

Love,
Abby
=^..^=

Today is my 4th Rainbow Bridge Anniversary Day

Today is my Rainbow Bridge Anniversary. Four years ago I left my home and family and came here to Rainbow Bridge. It feels like I’ve been here forever because I feel so full of peace and joy. At the same time, it feels like I left only yesterday because I miss my mommy and family. I watch over them every day. About 2 months ago, my grandpa joined me here. I love my grandpa so much and was so happy to see him!

Mommy was remembering me yesterday and she and grandma talked about me. She misses me. She can’t believe I’ve been gone only 4 years. At the same time, it feels like I’ve been gone a long, long time. She knows how much I loved my grandpa and how happy I must have been to greet him when he came here. Mommy misses both me and grandpa even though she knows we’re both in a much happier place.

Love,
Abby

Christmas Tag

I have been tagged by Pigeon. He asked me to answer these questions. Thanks for tagging me Pigeon!


1. Do you believe in Santa Paws? Why? / Why not?

Of course! I can see him at the North Pole getting the toys ready for the children! What’s not to believe? :))


2. Have you been Naughty or Nice? Please explain yourself!

Nice, of course! A guardian angel kitty could never be naughty! :))


3. What would you like Santa Paws to bring you? Why?

There is nothing I need or want for myself personally now that I’m living in Rainbow Bridge Heaven.

However, I would ask Santa Paws to bring . . .

All cats and dogs and all creatures that live with or around humans lots of love and tender care, good homes or safe shelter from the elements, enough food so they aren’t hungry, good health, compassion from humans, an end to violence, cruelty and abuse and lots of time to play.

All the kitties in Furrever Friends’ foster care or at FF adoption centers, good and loving homes. I ask Santa Paws for the same thing for all cats and dogs living in shelters, rescue centers and foster care.

My earth sisters Kaci Sunshine and Miss Mittens, good health. Plus lots of catnip toys!

All of our friends, whatever good things their hearts desire or whatever they most need.

Mommy, a good job!


4. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Why?

Angels We Have Heard on High.


5. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show? Why?

Miracle on 34th Street.


Santa Paws knows how busy we are around the holidays ... so Tag as many friends as you would like! Any friends reading this who would like to play ... consider yourself Tagged by Santa Paws! Ho! Ho! Ho!


Merry Christmas!

Hugs,
Abby

Wings

My grandpa's (mommy's dad) funeral was this past Saturday, a rainy and gloomy day. When grandpa's funeral procession had entered the cemetary and at the exact same time the procession turned the corner leading to grandpa's gravesite, hundreds of starlings flew in from the sky ahead of the first car and beside the other cars in the procession. The starlings swooped down and landed on the grass on both sides of the procession.

Seeing the birds, grandpa's sweet 11 year old great-grandson (mommy's great-nephew) said:

Look! The souls of all who live in the cemetary have
come to greet us and give us a message:
Greatpapa has his wings!


Grandpa and I are together again. He has his wings and is here in heaven with me. As you can see from the main photo on my page, I loved my grandpa. We were very close when we were both on earth and I spent hours every day sitting and napping on his lap. Now I can spend eternity snuggling with him.

Love,
Abby

=^..^=

It's My Gotcha Day!

Memories of my earliest days are vague. Images flash into consciousness and then fade. Even here at Rainbow Bridge, where I thought I’d remember with clarity, I can’t bring my earliest days into focus. Perhaps it’s just as well. What I do remember . . .

Wandering the streets in a town in New Jersey. Having a litter of kittens. Sick and starving. A human brought me and my kittens to a place called a shelter. It was a kill shelter with a short wait time. Perhaps I knew? Even though I was in sad shape, I was sweet and friendly and licked someone’s hand. That someone thought I was such a nice kitty that I was worth saving. Another human had me in her home for foster care. Then I was sent to another shelter. Seems a mean ole cat at the shelter didn’t much like me. He picked on me and attacked me. I was a peaceful girl and didn’t fight back or stand up for myself. Other cats began picking on me. Still I wouldn’t fight back. Mean ole cat attacked me viciously. He cut open my nose and injured my eye. The scar on my nose never disappeared. Next thing I knew, I was in foster care again. The foster lady nursed me into good health. She thought taking me back and putting me back in with those other cats was a bad idea. She took me to the store she owned. It was a pet supply store. She didn’t sell animals in the store. She would bring 1 or 2 foster cats into the store. She put me in a cage in her store so everyone who came in to shop would see me. Hopefully someone would fall in love with me and give me a home.

Someone did. First grandma saw me and met me. She fell in love with me but didn’t adopt me. She did tell my mommy about me. Mommy hadn’t even been thinking about getting a cat. But she was intrigued enough to come see me. It was October 2, 1997. Mommy had a holiday from work and decided to come see me. I was in a cage at the back of the store. I liked mommy and was very friendly. She petted me through the cage bars. Foster lady let me out of my cage. First I jumped up on the lower level of the cat tree next to my cage. I studied my future mommy while she talked to foster lady. She seemed like a nice lady. I jumped down and came over to my future mommy. She started petting me and talking to me. I liked that and began purring up a storm. I rubbed her and rolled on my back so she’d know I was friendly and liked her. That did it! Then I heard the word adoption. My future mommy began talking to foster lady in earnest. Foster lady said my name was Abby. She asked mommy lots and lots of questions. Did that mean I'd get a home? Oh yes, please, please, please adopt me! Mommy filled out a form. Foster lady said she was going to check references and call the vet who had been Pete and Jennifer’s vet.

Mommy left me at the store and went home. She wasn’t sure when or if she could adopt me. Foster lady immediately made a few phone calls and seemed happy after the calls. A few hours later, she called mommy. She said mommy was approved and could adopt me. Less than an hour after the phone call, mommy was back with a cat carrier. She gave foster lady a donation fee. She put me in a cat carrier and then I was carried to her car. I was very nervous during the car ride and cried a lot. When I got to my new home, I was happy and very anxious at the same time. A new house and new smells! It was overwhelming! Soon I calmed down and began my new life in my new home with mommy. I was a very happy kitty in my new home with mommy. But that’s another long story and better told at another time . . .