Words from Sophie

[smudgley]

Thought I would share this with you all. Sophie wrote these words to me today (with a little help from Kazz)

To You

So now we’ve met you and I my name’s Sophie, and I’m a long haired cat, in need of a little care, have I come to the right place? I think I have “Hello”
Oh, the stories I could tell, my days of living as a stray unwanted, unloved, unnoticed but now we’ve met I know I’ll never need think of it again.
Perhaps I’ll rest here awhile its safe and warm, obviously you don’t mind me staying. Am I now a rescue cat?
“Hello” is what I call to you every day when you say “Good Morning” and give me food, clean out my tray; it’s always so nice to see you. But all that comes out is “Miaow!” When I mean to say “Hello”
I like it here, the two children are kind and nice to me, and the big people have been so gentle, and I hear you all say I am a beautiful, gorgeous, elegant and lovable cat. And I kinda like that.
Everyone here has been so nice I hate to leave, but I have to go you see I have a journey to make to a place called “Rainbow Bridge” where I’ll be healthy again, so please don’t worry about me, I want to say “Thank You” but all that comes out is “Miaow” but you all know what I mean.

Lots of Love Sophie.

RIP Sophie - 17.03.2006

[Mags]

I feel so choked reading that, it's beautiful...thank you Smudgley for posting it...and a big thank you to Kazz for putting Sophie's thoughts into words....

[Donna]

Oh that made me cry. Kazz that was so beautiful and thanks Smudgley for posting x

[Elaine]

Oh that made me cry
Thats really really nice.

[EmmaG]

Wonderful words Kazz Now I am in tears..

[Snoof]

That's so beautiful.

[Moli]

That so nice...and so sad....

[Kazz]

I just figured they would be what she would say if she had access to a pen and paper and every word she spoke did not come out "Miaow"

Take care of yourself Smudgley you did what was best for her - no cat could can ask for more, or expect any less.

Especially once they come through your door, and they become that special breed "a rescue cat"

Take care Karen

[CJK]

aww that is so touching.
and sumdgley, you must remember always that what you do is commendable, for all the rescue cats yout ake in. You give them all warmth and love and affection. You do your very best for each and everyone of them, and sophie went on her journey to rainbow bridge knowing she psent her last days here in the care of somebody who lvoed and cared for her

[LMC]

A version of Rainbow Bridge which I've had for a while and is so touching...

For rescued pets and rescuers:

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals that had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly cat came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him.

He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass.

Only those who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn to, the elderly cat turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other cats like him, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him. You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older cat with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge.

The first cat thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?"

As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young
and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

"Watch, and see" said the second feline. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer." The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort all those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge.

"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.

"So does God", was the reply.