CHURCH (April 1991 – April 12, 2004)
I was going to write something special for Church, but Randy wrote one that touches my heart, so I’m going to post his version..
On the evening of April 12, 2004, “Church,” our Russian Blue cat for the past 13 years, lost a very short battle with lymphoma. Just a couple weeks ago, he was healthy and active, but this fast spreading cancer got the better of him.
Walking into a store in 1991 to buy Sam, our cocker spaniel, Greg (who was still very much a cat person) saw Church, scratching at the window of a cage, and though I was not really a cat person, he and Sam both came home with us at the same time.
Church was such a fixture in our house (appliance is probably a better word) that almost everyone who visited could not miss seeing this king of cats. Charcoal grey, with bright eyes and as big as a small panther, he loved attention (usually drooling on the giver).
From our rental house on De Celis, through the building of Annex, the Northridge earthquake, our first house on Rhodes, the Millenium, 9/11, he’s always been there, sitting on the couch, observing everything that went on, bothered by almost nothing.
So many people knew this cat, and he will be remembered by many.
–Randy
So last night, I held him in my arms and whispered my love for him into his ear while we sent him to the Bridge to be in peace with Dinky and await our arrival.
Church, I miss you terribly.
–Gregory
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
— Author unknown
My condolences for your loss. Church was one of the coolest cats I ever met. I can’t imagine what I’d do without my own kitties.