The Love Of A Pet

We lost a family member today. Our 16 year old cat, Tini. Actually, she was my boyfriend's cat, but she "adopted" me from the beginning of our relationship. She loved burrowing under the covers to lay up against our legs at night ... purring away with pure pleasure. She may have been old, but if a bird or squirrel showed up, she was as fast as a kitten going after it! Sweet, lovey, cuddly, purring Tini. We love you so much, there's no way we could allow your final days on this earth to be pure agony from the tumor that invaded your body.
I'm going to quote a poem that is not mine, but is appropriate, called "Rainbow Bridge":

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 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 again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days 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. Their eyes are bright and intent, their eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly, they begin to run from the group, flying over the green grass, their legs carrying them 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, and happy purr murmurs whisper in your ears, your hands 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 the Rainbow Bridge together.

RIP Tini. We love you dearly and already miss you terribly.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress