Goodbye Sweet Ginger

This is a post I've dreaded writing. Back in March, our sweet, sweet Ginger was diagnosed with Feline leukemia (FLV). It was heartbreaking for all of us. We made the decision, as a family, that we would do everything possible to keep Ginger happy for the remaining days she had with us.

It was very hard keeping Ginger separated from Duchess and Clarence. FLV is very contagious, so we had Ginger living in the "penthouse suite" (master bedroom and bath). The other cats had free rein of the house. Daily, we switched places and allowed Ginger to have the reign of the house but all she wanted was to play with Clarence. He was her buddy. Clarence cried for Ginger and she for him. The life Ginger was living was so limited. Not to mention her illness. Poor sweet Ginger was so anemic.

We did everything possible to make her comfortable but in the week prior to our Disney Trip it was obvious that our sweet Ginger was not her old self. We had a tough decision to make. Do we wait until we return from vacation and possibly have something happen while we were away or do we send Ginger off to the "rainbow bridge" before we left?

We opted to take care of Ginger before we left. On Friday the 12th of June, I took Ginger to the vet. Once there I held her in my arms, cuddled, kissed and hugged her as she was quickly relieved of her earthly pain. It was a sad but very tender time.

I brought Ginger back home to rest. All of the girls put flowers on her grave and we intend to plant some perennials so every year they will bloom and remind us all of the love we shared with that sweet little kitten.

Goodbye sweet Ginger, until we meet at the "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 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...