My Tail of Devotion to Cole on His 1st Bridge- Anniversary....

I remember 16 years ago when I went to the shelter to adopt a kitten. A scrawny little black cat was not what I had in mind. As I visited each cage and held each tiny kitten, I looked up to see you staring so intently at me from across the room. You never took your eyes off of me the entire time.

You were the last kitten I held and when you looked into my eyes and gave me the ‘silent meow’, I knew you were the one. You grew to be the biggest and most handsome black cat I had ever seen.

You openly accepted every new pet (regardless of species) that came to live with us and of all of them, you were the most social and a true lap cat. I thought sure that I still had a few good years left with you.

When you became ill, I tried so desperately to nurture you back to health. Baby Boy, I am so sorry I wasn’t able to succeed. When your suffering ended, mine began.

Today, I think of you on your first anniversary at the Rainbow Bridge. Time as flown and it seems like just yesterday that I had to say ‘goodbye’ to you. Your presence is greatly missed and my lap feels empty as does my heart.

You’ll always be mommy’s little “CoCo-Mo” and I will always and forever love you.

Until we meet again….
Love,
Mommy

Granny is with me now....

Granny joined me & Brandon at the bridge on February 6, 2009. Mommy was holding her hand when she left.

Thank you to Mercy's family for the beautiful funeral bouquet. I'm sorry we didn't take a picture of it, but please know it was very beautiful AND appreciated.

Also thank you to Louis & Ethan, Hobbes and family, KC Sunshine's family, Miracle Paws, Sally Maria, Pomme, Piewackit's family, Alexis & Abby, Sagan's family, Bisquit's family, Baby, Mr. Sam, Ashley, Martin, Autumn, Buddie, Boudin, Negra & Family, Mercy & Family and countless other kitties and doggies who have sent us condolence rosies, gifts, cards and p-mails & emails

Please forgive us if we've left anyone out. It's been a very sad, stressful and hectic week. Please know that we have appreciated EVERY thoughtful gesture and prayer. We don't know what we do without our support system of wonderful friends that include ALL of you.

Love,
All of us & Mommy too.

PS: Granny's online guestbook and memorial tribute can be viewed online at (copy/paste):

http://www.davidfuneralhome.com

On the right hand side are pictures and names. Click on "Lillian Moreno".

5th month @ the bridge

Today is my 5th month at the bridge. I'm adapting pretty well and thankfully, I have a lot of old friends here with me as well as my k9 brother Brandon.

I see that mommy lit the memorial candle from Ashley's mom for me tonight. Sometimes it seems like mommy is doing better but then all of a sudden, just when I think she is getting over her grief, she comes to visit my page and she just sits there staring at my pictures and her eyes start leaking a lot.

She is always asking me over and over to visit her and let her know that I am okay. She just doesn't get that I'm ALWAYS near *sigh*
How can I make her understand? She thinks I am mad at her because she didn't notice that I wasn't eating for a few days and then I got Fatty Liver Disease from not eating and that's why I'm not visiting her. Hopefully in time, she will stop blaming herself. I lived 15 years and mommy gave me a life full of love and happiness. I wish she could think of it that way, instead of dwelling on the thought that she inadvertantly killed me.

Thank you to everyone who is still offering mommy support during this time. I'm sure it's getting old....MOL!

Love, Cole

A gift for mommy....

Yesterday mommy received a package in the mail from Ashley's mom. It was to help mommy heal because she's been missing me so much. The box smelled so good when mommy opened it. There was some loose sage and Bast incense..... Bast is the goddess of cats. There is a small quartz crystal, a memorial candle and the most beautiful glittered butterfly!! Mommy had been looking for the purrfect adornment for my urn and this is it! Ashley tells me that he has one on his urn and that I should have one too. That's how come he told his mommy to send one to MY mommy. Mommy lit the little candle last night before she went to sleep and I could see it from the bridge! It was shining so brightly and I know it was filled with her love for me. Mommy is very appreciative for this very thoughtful gesture. Thank you Ashley and mom Brenda.

Before I go, I would like to also say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my bridge and earth friends!! Hope all your wishes come true.

Love, Cole

Merry Christmas from Mommy.....

Baby Boy,
If you are looking down on me now, you know that I've been thinking about you all day and that I've been sitting here alone for the last two hours crying my eyes out. I'm looking at the twinkling lights on our little Christmas tree and I can't get you out of my mind. My first Christmas without you.....my heart is crushed. I miss you more than words can convey.

Daddy's daughter gave us a book for Christmas....we opened it tonight. It's an older book, entitled "Straight from the Horses Mouth: How to talk to animals and get answers." Of course, I flipped all the way to the very last chapter that talks about communicating with your deceased pet. The greatest gift I could receive tonight would be a spiritual visit from you.

Cole, Cole, Cole.....I miss you SO much :'-( I'd give anything to see you again and to hold you close. Anything.

I lit a candle so that when you look down tonight, you'll know that I am thinking of you. I do that quite often. I hope that you can see from where you are.

Merry Christmas my little CoCo-Mo. I love you and wherever I am, you'll always and forever be in my heart.
Love, Mommy

*NOTE:
I found this on the internet when Brandon went to the bridge 8 years ago and ever since then, I have visited this website ( http://www.angelbluemist.com/ ) and read this poem every Christmas Eve night:

CHRISTMAS AT THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
(by Terri Onorato)

As the midnight hour approaches on Christmas Eve, a tremendous celebration begins. If you listen closely you will hear the exuberant sound of Bridgekids preparing for the remarkable moment that comes but once a year. Puppies romp through the tall green grass, chasing butterflies and rolling over and over until fits of giggles bring them to a tumbling stop. The volume increases as kittens, cats, tigers and lions purr in pure delight while the wings of snow white doves gently caress the air. The babbling brook that runs beneath Rainbow Bridge overflows onto the edge of mossy banks and fins of treasured aquatic life quiver in anticipation of this most joyous event. Nestled in the midst of this happy choir of Bridgekids are the littlest angel tots staring in awe at the majestic Christmas tree adorned with flowing strands of angel hair. Effervescent, twinkling stars seesaw elegantly from the sky and land in glorious harmony upon the stoic limbs of Heaven's most perfect Christmas tree. Swaying to and fro in nearby rocking chairs are grandmothers, grandfathers, parents, aunts, uncles and loved ones. The sound of their whispered lullabies permeate the air as they sing to tiny angel babies resting quietly in their arms.

Like magic the clock approaches midnight and a great stirring is heard in the distance. Each Bridgekid stops and listens, knowing the time is near, and they choose a fleecy cloud on which to snuggle. The roar of purrs drops to barely an audible hum, the babbling brook ripples hypnotically and the flutter of downy feathered wings fall silent. Heaven's spirited toddlers climb expectantly upon the laps of angels while babies coo in tranquil unison.

Amidst the warm glow of candle light which rises from the earth below, the arms of the Bridge Keeper envelop the heavens and into the precious hands of each child and in front of each animal a holy gift is placed. With grand exuberance the ribbons are removed and left to fly on a tender breeze where they dissolve into showers of angel dust. As the golden lids of these heavenly gifts are raised, an amazing aura fills the sky, reaching down to the very core of the earth. Ascending from each and every box is the greatest gift of all…unending, unconditional, all-encompassing love. This blessed love gently wraps itself around the cherished souls of heaven, warming their hearts with beacons of radiant light and bringing forth from angels an exquisite chorus. As the clock strikes midnight the distance between heaven and earth is vanished. It is at this very moment on Christmas Eve that the Bridge Keeper, His children, angels and Bridgekids send a message to their earthly loved ones on the wings of this unbridled love.

Listening carefully with an open heart we will hear the familiar voice of our own angel whisper softly into our ear their Christmas message..."Let me share with you this love of mine, always and forever. When you need me know that I am here. I have not left you for I am in your heart where I belong. Our love is eternal as is the brilliant glow of candlelight which illuminates the path to the heavens and Rainbow Bridge. I wait patiently as do you for our inevitable and glorious reunion. I love you, I love you, I love you."

Three months at the bridge......

Cole,

Today is your third month at the bridge. I miss you everyday since you've been gone, but for some reason, tonight is especially hard. I don't know what is different about it. Maybe it's the fact that the holidays are approaching....your favorite time of the year.

I miss how you used to lay on my lap all night while we watched TV. You're the only kitty in this family who does (did) that. Since you've been gone, I have tried to get Kayleigh, Kassidy or even Maytag to lay on my lap, but they jump down almost immediately. I miss you so much, that every time I sit to watch TV since you've been gone I place a micro-bead pillow on my lap and I find myself absent mindedly kneading it, very similar to how I would absent mindedly massage you as we watched TV together. It's not YOU, but I guess it's a close substitution, huh?

Sometimes, after daddy goes to bed, do you know that I take your urn from off the mantle and I hold you (your ashes) on my lap and just cry like a baby? I did that again tonight.

Do you hear me when I sit in the skychair and talk to you at night while the dogs do their thing before bedtime? I hope you can.

Thank you for sending the baby black dragonfly to me last week. I was so surprised when he landed on the corner of the book I was reading and we just sat there for at least an entire minute gazing at each other. Did you also send me that beautiful peach and white butterfly a couple months ago that kept hovering above my head for almost 10 minutes? I look forward to your signs. Please keep them coming.

I miss you so much CoCoMo. You'll always be "Mommy's baby boy". I love you.

Love, Mommy

One more Memorial Gift

Mommy received another surprise in the mail today. It was from the Defenders of Wildlife. Mommy gets name lables from them sometimes, but she has not donated to them for quite awhile, especially since she is no longer working.

Today she received a package from them and she said, "Hmmm...what is this? I haven't donated to them in a really long time." Then she asked Daddy, "Did you donate to them?" He said "No.". Mommy thought, 'there must be some mistake'. She opened the package and inside was a cute little stuffed wolf!! Mommy said, "Aaaaawwww!" as she nuzzled the little wolfs nose with hers and said, "They must have made a mistake, you have to donate or adopt to receive one of these." She looked inside the envelope again and pulled out a letter than came with the little wolf.

As she read the first line of the letter her eyes began leaking and she got all choked up, she couldn't talk and daddy, said "What is it?" She said, "A donation was made in Cole's memory from one of his friends."

Louis, Ethan and their mom adopted a wolf in my memory because they know that mommy loves wolves. Mommy was touched. Me too! You can see a picture of it on page 8 of my memorial gift slideshow. Just click on the pages of the slideshow until you get to it.

The letter with the little wolf said:

"Dear Lisa Perry,
Sharon Evans, Louis & Ethan have adopted a 2008 Defenders Of Wildlife Wolf for you in Cole's memory. This thoughtful action will help protect our imperiled wildlife and its habitat for future generations."

At the bottom of the page was a personal note from Louis, Ethan and their mom. It said:

"We thought we would adopt a wolf for you in honor of Cole. He was such a special cat. We will never forget him. Love & Purrs, Sharon, Louis & Ethan."

There was also a Certificate of Adoption and 5 X 7 photo of a wolf. On the back of that is a wolf information sheet. Do you know that wolves are the largest members of the K9 family?

Mommy and I thank Louis, Ethan and Family for honoring me with this very special gift.

Love, Cole

Another treasured gift....

Last week my bud Vincent and his family sent mommy a beautiful necklace that his meowmy made in my memory.

Mommy wanted to add a picture trail of all the cards and stuff I have received from some of you, but her camera recently broke and it will cost too much to fix, so daddy said he is going to buy her a new one as an early anniversary present. So for now, we can't add any new pix, all I can do is describe this beautiful necklace.

The chain itself is a link of tiny hearts and then half way down are colored beads that resemble a rainbow. Then it drops down (almost like a rosary) and there is a red heart bead and then it drops down a bit again and there is a cat with a little bundle of rainbow colored beads just above his head. I know my description doesn't do it justice, but soon as mommy gets a new camera, you'll be able to see how beautiful it is.

Mommy had it on the counter the first day she received it and she kept admiring it every time she walked past. Later in the evening, she heard something drop on the floor and she looked just in time to see my brat brother TAG pick it up and start to carry it away! Yeah....go figure....he thinks everything is a TOY for HIM! I can see things have not changed much since I left as far as HE is concerned.

Thank you Vincent's meowmy for thinking of me & mommy. She loves the necklace.

Love, Cole

cards & stuff.....

I just wanted to share a few things that mommy has received in my memory.

In addition to Scooter's sympathy card received last week, mommy received one from granny, her boss, her former boss and my vet.

Today mommy received a card from the Houston SPCA informing her that Pedro and his family gave a donation in my memory.

Also received today, from Mercy and her family was a beautiful memorial keepsake picture frame with a poem that opens on the left side. The outside flap when closed says:

"For Every Joy that passes....Something Beautiful Remains"

Then you open the flap, it has the Stairway to Heaven poem. Mommy put my funny upside down picture in it because someday it will eventually make her smile when she looks at it.

Thank you all for thinking of me and mommy. Mommy will always treasure these keepsakes.

Love,
"angel" Cole

PS.....mommy has save ALL of my Farewell Stars, Rosies & Gifts and made a print out of them, so that all of your kind words and thoughtfulness will also be treasured for a lifetime.

A page overhaul!!

Wow!!! Thank you to Mercy's mom, Ms. Janet. She picked this awesome background, border and banner for my page and then worked all night to code it, etc... There's no way mommy could have made my page look so beautiful on her own.

Thank you Ms. Janet. Mommy and me love my new angel page!