Today is the 6th annual Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day…a day created by our friend Deb Barnes from The Chronicles of Zee and Zoey in memory of her special cat, Mr. Jazz.
It’s a day where we remember and pay tribute to those furry loved ones that are no longer with us…who have gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Of course, these special ones are in our thoughts every day…but Remembrance Day is the day we tell the world about how much they meant to us.
Today let me tell you about those cats I was lucky enough to love and share my life with…but sadly are no longer here with me.
This is Bogart…yes, named after the actor whose movies l love. I adopted him as a 6 week old kitten after I graduated from college and was living on my own. That was back in 1981. Bogart was my constant companion…maybe a little cranky at times…but that’s what made him so lovable. He lived a long life, over 20 years, but sadly left me in December 2001. I still miss him.
When Bogart was 9 years old, I decided to adopt another cat. I found Scooter at the Michigan Humane Society, a cute little 6 week old kitten that was desperately trying to get out of the cage he was in. Scooter Cat, as I affectionately called him, was a great cat. I really think he thought I was his mother. Bogart and Scooter never became good friends, but they learned to tolerate each other.
In 2002, when Scooter was around 13 years old, we moved to the Island. And the idea of “The Island Cats” was born. Unfortunately, Scooter passed away in January 2006 just shy of his 17th birthday…before I started this blog. But Scooter will always be the Original Island Cat.
And then there was my precious orange boy, Wally. Like both Bogart and Scooter, I adopted him as a 6 week old kitten. Given that Scooter was 14 at the time, I was hesitant about bringing another cat into the household. But when I saw that little orange ball of fluff, I couldn’t say no. And while outwardly it may have appeared that Scooter didn’t like Wally, I know deep down he did. It wasn’t unusual to find the two of them curled up together.
Wally was the orange cat I always wanted. Friendly, funny, loving. A real talker. And the most handsomest orange cat in the world, in my opinion. There will never be another like him. I miss him every single day.
Do animals go to heaven?
I do believe that we and our animals will meet again.
If we do not, and where we go is supposed to be heaven,
it will not be heaven to me
and it will not be where I wish to go.
~Cleveland Amory
36 Responses to “Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2020”
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All of your angels are beautiful. Of course I only knew Wally, but him being a ginger, I always had a soft spot for him
Beautiful angels. Wally was a pawsome guy and we miss him a lot. We still talk about him a lot at Scouts.
The Florida Furkids
Hugs and purrs.
thank you for this…
We’re sending you hugs as you remember your beloved kitties today. We miss Wally.
Such a lovely tribute to the kitties who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Mom bean says the poem is absolutely correct.
Purrs and virtual hugs.
I hope I see my dear dear ones again in Heaven. I loved seeing your cats who have gone on before. XX
Ah, sweet and beautiful Wally, we remember you so well and with much fondness … and we imagine that up there in the clouds of heaven you have become great friends with Bogart and Scooter, may you all run joyfully free together, forever.
Oh how handsome Bogart was Sue! I do not think I;ve ever read about Bogart before…he sounds lovely; like my Mingflower the Merciless…
Scooter was also a handsome man cat & I DO remember you talking about him & he definitely was the 1st ‘Island Cat”@@
And dear precious Wally…he was adorable & I loved to read his posts. I’get’ why you always wanted an ‘Orangey Boy’; there is something special about them…I remember Mingflower’s beau Monty!! Biggest orange bundle of adorableness like Wally….
Thankfully we have our photos & memories to comfort us during the rough times….
Much love & (((hugs))) Sherri-Ellen & ***purrss*** BellaDharma
Bogart, Scooter and Wally you were great furs all. We miss each and every one of you and know your parents do too. Wally you are always thought of at Cat Scouts and we still look at your photos and all the fun we had together. Purrs until the day we meet again friends
Timmy, Dad, Toby, Rumpy Bumpy, Miss Fitz and Einstein
Sending hugs as you remember your beautiful boys.
I think about Wally every time I read your blog. *wipes leaky eyes*
We didn’t know your other angels unfortunately but Wally – Wally was one of a kind. What a GREAT Scout he was too in addition to a good friend. Maybe I’m just a little bit partial to gingers – Angel Sammy then Teddy……they are all just big love bugs. We miss Wally too…..sending you hugs today as you remember all your beautiful angels.
Love, Pam and Teddy
Gosh mom got tears in her eyes again after replying to BellaDharma,s post.
We remember Wally such a handsome man.
Mom said we will all meet up again at rainbow bridge until then we will always have a place in your heart forever.
Such beautiful and special kitties, and we will always remember handsome Wally! Big hugs for all of your losses.
Such sweetie Angels all and we send hugs as you remember them each and every day. We always think of dear Wally anything we see anything orange.
I want to go wherever my babies are too. A agree with you. Heaven wouldn’t be heaven without our babies.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. ♥
Lovely tribute and I agree with Cleveland Amory!
Lots of purrs to you today. <3
You had a wonderful family of cats, and I like many others believe we will all meet again. What a happy reunion that will be!
You’ve shared your life with some beautiful angels.
Beautiful tribute to your angels. I love that quote by Cleveland Amory. XO
We miss and think of Wally so often! Thank you for sharing all your angels with us – we remember them with you.
*Bows head* as I remember your losses. I still tear up when I see Wally.
Thanks for telling us about your purrsonal Angels and sharing them with us! Wes has missed Wally too (wes thinks there is a big pawty OTB where Wally and Nellie and the rest of the blogging gang is thinking of us! Wes knows how impawtant kitties is to us. When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.
Purrs and paw pats
Marv, Jo Jo, Kozmo, Cinnamon and Angel Nellie
I loved seeing all your precious angels xo
I miss Wally too. That is a cute photo of he and Scooter.
Beautiful!
That’s a beautiful post about your wonderful friends and companions over the years.
Purrs,
Tama and Genji
Thank you for sharing this special post, and Bogart… that nose…so wonderful! Purrs from Deb and Mr. Jazz of Purr Prints of the Heart.
These are lovely stories and of course we know Wally better than any of them because everyone was in love with Wally. Mama had a sweet tabby first, years ago, so we understand your love and longing for Wally.
Your kitties over the Rainbow Bridge are all precious and beautiful. The photo of Scooter and Wally is so sweet. Purrs and hugs xo
Such a beautiful post about your beloved angels. Sending gentle purrs as you remember.
Aw, we think that Scooter and Wally are curled up just like they are in the picture, just across that bridge. We miss Wally too–he was a great ManCat and a fine example to all felines everywhere. XOXO
I really enjoyed seeing the ones who came before and their stories in how they came to be with you. Wally. I miss you too, and I know Ernie does along with your human parents. XXX
What a beautiful remembrance to your beloved angels ♥ Soft Pawkisses as you remember your sweet Scooter and dearest Wally ♥