SLEEZY THE CAT -- SOFT, SNEAKY AND FAT. Got him from Mom as a kitten. Tail as big as the rest of his body. Black w/white mouth & paws. Not too friendly, but beutiful. Never had too much use for Mom, and who could blame him. We were elected to cat sit & we kept him. Me & Lil. Lived with us when we shaked up in Brooklyn. Cuddled with me under the covers. Got big & fat. We moved to a place with a terrace & Sleezy loved it. Would cross the terrace divider where I could'nt get him, & he would visit next door. Go in through the window and hang out in there when the neighbor was'nt home. I used to go next door & ring trhe bell & bang on the door, so he would jump back out the window & cross the terrace back to us. Some cat. Neighbor got a rabbit & Sleezy would play with it. It was something to watch. We had a game we used to play in those days. I'd hold a "pounce" treat like I was going to throw it, & he'd tense his body in a runners stance. I'd try to fake him out (he rarely fell for it) & when I'd throw it, he would streak after it & grab it before it stopped boucing. Just like a dog. Big as one too. Had to be the biggest cat I ever saw. One time I weighed him at the Vet & he weighed 16 lbs. Woman who was there had her two cats at 7 lbs each & could'nt beleive it. Got hitched around this time, me & Lil. Sleezy was our baby. And, oh yes, cant forget about the chairs. He shedded them. Took his time about it, too. Big expensive raw silk dining room chairs. He tore them down to the wood. Lilli cried. He was smart. He knew we did'nt want him to do it (screamed & smacked him) so he did'nt do it anymore...while we were watching. But every day when we got home there was less and less of the chairs till he was down to the frames. We had gotten him a great scratching mpost, but he never went near it. Guess it was no substitute for the chairs. Well, we moved again & Sleezy came with us. A house, this time & he loved it. Let him hang around the backyard & he'd go for little day trips. We sweated, but he always made it back. Redid the chairs, so his claws had to go. Felt guily about it, but the tin foil trick & the cat-off spray bottle did'nt phase him at all. After his nails went, he got a bird out by the pool. Nothing left of it but feathers strewn about the yard (and in his whiskers) and a head. Sleezy did'nt look the least bit guilty. How he got him without claws, I'll never know. Got another cat (a kitten) and boy, did Sleezy get mad. Gave us the cold shoulder after that, & never was as friendly to us again (Hard to tell). But he loved to be scratched behind his ears and his jaw. Sort of liked being picked up and stoked, at least he tolerated it. But he always seemed to be hanging around in whichever room we were in. He was a cat with smarts and an attitude, & he did'nt take any crap. Intimidated my sisters dog. One tough cat. Fourteen years, as long as me & Lil been together. So much a part of us. Got a head tumor & we operated & he recovered, but the tumor was cancerous & it grew back lickety-split. Watched him get worse & worse till I had to send him off to the Happy Hunting Ground. We love him & will miss him always. Neil & Lil 
SHEBA 18 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AND 23 DAYS AGO, A DOG CAME INTO MY LIFE. SHE WAS IN A BOX FULL OF KITTENS. (I THINK SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS ONE!) SHE WAS A BLACK AND WHITE BORDER COLLIE MIX. SHE WAS SCARED OF EVERYTHING. SHE APPOINTED ME HER SAVIOR. WHAT AN HONOR! SHE FOLLOWED ME EVERYWHERE. I NEVER FELT SO MUCH LOVE BEFORE. WE BECAME CONNECTED, SPIRITUALLY. SHE ALWAYS SEEMED TO KNOW HOW I FELT AND WAS THERE FOR ME. WE WENT EVERYWHERE TOGETHER. SHE CAME WITH ME THROUGH ALL MY LIFE CHANGING EVENTS, WITHOUT QUESTION. ALL SHE ASKED WAS TO BE WITH ME, ALWAYS AND SHE WAS. WHEN SHE GOT OLD AND SICK, I WAS THERE FOR HER. THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS OF HER LIFE, I TREATED HER LIKE EVERY DAY WAS HER LAST. I HAD ALWAYS ASKED HER NEVER TO LEAVE ME, FOR I COULD'NT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF LIVING WITHOUT HER. (SELFISHLY) BUT WHEN I COULD TELL SHE COULDN'T HOLD ON ANY LONGER, I GAVE HER PERMISSION TO GO. SHE DIED THE NEXT DAY. I WAS WITH HER. SHE HEARD MY VOICE AND FELT MY TOUCH. I GRIEVE DEEPLY, BUT I KNOW SHE IS IN GOD'S HANDS AND THAT I WILL SEE HER AGAIN SOMEDAY! ALL MY LOVE, FOR SHEBA
Here lies Lady Little Lady Kelly the third was my best friend. She was with me through thick and thin never proposing an argument. She was my best friend as you can see to bad she only lived till three. She was protecting me from the evil cars I like to think and so gave her life for mine. She loved to chase balls and run down frisbees. She wasn't the most obeying dog but surprisingly she won first place for obedience in the dog show. My dog was the best better than all the rest I'm sure she's in heaven watching over me. One day we will be toghether again untill then I hope she plays with balls and chases frisbees untill her hearts content. Rest in peace my Little Lady. Love you and miss you so much I can't stand it my baby my lady Little miss Kelly. Her loving owner, Katie
Herbert I, Herbert II, Herbert III Herbert was the name of our first goldfish. Herbert I lasted one day, then we found him belly up in the little, pink aquarium. We were very sad and didn't know what to do because this little fish liked to follow our fingers and seemed to enjoy our company. Herbert II came to us through a carnival. He wasn't as personable as Herbert I but we loved him anyway. We fed him and he soon learned that we were his friends because he began following our fingers. Then we left the care of our precious goldfish in the care of a friend while we went home for a break, she forgot to feed him and when we came back he was very thin and very glad to see us. We fed him and he looked better but the next day he died. We were very sad and the friend felt very bad but we forgave her. Herbert III came from Walmart the next day and is the reason I am writing this. He was a great fish but lived for a very short time. He would watch us and spin in circles when we came over the the aquarium and follow our fingers around the aquarium he was a great fish. We loved him very much. He died three days later. We have decided not to get anymore fish becaus altogether these fish lived about four months. We just didn't have the heart to get anymore fish and feel we are not cut out to be fish owners. We will try hamsters next, maybe they will like us enough to live longer. Marinda and Kylie, CSC
CASEY (1985-January 4,1999) For 12 years you were a combination of my best friend and my baby. When my mother died suddenly, I couldn't wait to get home to cry into your fur (did you purr extra loud that night for me?) We lived alone together, and I always wondered at how much life you brought into my house. I have had cats all of my life, but you were the most affectionate, loving animal I have ever had the fortune to know. You were my small and dainty calico (your white chest must always be licked spotless!). When I was in a room, in minutes I would feel the little sound of you coming to join me, either daintily stepping into the room, or jumping on my bed. When we were together, you just wanted to sleep touching some part of me. I came to know the meaning of your different meows (or "murring," as I called your combination of meowing and purring that seemed almost like talking), and you seemed to know the meaning of the different inflections of my voice. I'm agonizing over whether I gave you the life you deserved. I keep telling myself that 13 years is a long life, and that your body shut down when it was supposed to. But I still wish you had lived to 20 or so, so I could say, "I gave her a long and magnificent life." But I can't give a long life--so I will try to console myself with the hope you had a great life while you were here. I will never have children, but I think I know the overwhelming feeling of love that you can have for them, because I felt it for you. That is why I am having trouble saying good-bye to you. I have lost family members--I know the eventual (merciful) lessening of the pain, but I also know that with that relief comes a dulling of the memories of the lost loved one. I am the only witness to your sweetness and love, and I so desperately want to keep that alive. I will go on to have other cats--there are too many lost animals out there, and I have too great a need for the unconditional love that they provide. (Even in writing that, I feel a betrayal of you, as if you were just one of a line of generic "pets"). But I know that no other relationship will match ours. So, maybe by putting these thoughts down here, when I need to, I can come back and remember how much love I felt for you, how special you were, and how much I miss you today. Please God, take care of my Casey--she was so loved. Heather
Lou Dog has always been deemed Man's best friend, but until one experiences this first hand, something is lost in the translation. It is almost impossible to explain second hand how nice a cold nose pressed to you leg feels on a grey day or what a dog's happy smile looks like after he's romped around the neighborhood. Lou gave my family and me the privilege of finding out just exactly what Man's best friend is like. His keen ability to sence the mood of his master's and his streak of pure orneriness combined to make a delightfully sensitive yet spirited member of the family tha nobody ever could replace. He became a member of our family on a middle-of-the-summer day. We three kids bounced excitedly on the backseat of the car all the way to my Aunt's house where Louie and his brothers and sisters were born. Louis Leslie, so named for our Grandpa, was romping in the tall grass, leaping like a jackrabbit, occasionally stopping to tussle with a sibling. As soon as the car rolled to a stop, we three tumbled out of the backseat, racing to see who would get the first chance to hold him on their lap. Lou was easy to pick out from the rest of the litter. His markings distinguished him clearly from all the other pups. Spots of black and brown strategically covered a background of white, and just at the top of his head was a small spot in the white area between his ears. He wasn't a handsome fellow, being part beagle and part some kind of terrier, but his spunky personality made him appealing and his blunt snout, which soon turned pointed, and his big floppy ears, which soon stood straight up, made him irresistable. Lou adjusted to his home quickly and we watched him play in the yard while the neighborhood kids gathered to see the newcomer. We proudly displayed him as if he were a priceless pedigree instead of a Heinz 57 mutt. We made a bed for him out of a box and an old blanket and he settled in between my bed and my sister's for, so we thought, the night. Just like an infant, Louie's wimpers awoke us at 3 a.m. We dutifully carted out friend out to do his business. Putting him back in the box, we snuggled back in bed to drift off to sleep. Seeming like minutes, but actually two hours later, we were all back up again to tend to out "new baby." As Lou grew he proved himself to be extremely quick to catch on to things, he was easily "potty" trained with nary and accident. He chewed his toys instead of the rug and never seemed to get into the trouble pets usually are noted for. In fact, it was a few months after we got him that we discovered his one and only vice. Lou, Being the smart dog he was, found out that freedom lay just beyond a certain door in the house that led to the great outdoors. Soon he was taking his liberty whenever he could sneak past our legs. He would bolt like lightning and be gone before we knew what was going on. He would run at top speed around the neigborhood, visiting friends and terrorizing cats, with two or three kids in hot pursuit. Riding in the car was the second most favorite pasttime; so on occassion of Lou's truancy, we would all climb into the car and circle the block until he bounded up to the car for a ride. Many years later a fast runner married into our family who put a halt to quite a few of Lou's treks around town. Lou darted out one day for his usual weekly gallup around the block when he was snatched from behind. A look of surprise crossed Lou's face as he was carried home by the only one ever to outrun the dog. No more fanagling rides by pulling the escape trick. Every Christmas we are reminded just how much Lou was a part of our family. We always had a package for him under the tree and he would dig around until he found his amongst the other presents. He would pull it out from under the tree with a smile and commence to opening if with his teeth. One year we all somehow forgot to place a present under the tree for him and the hurt plainly showed on his face. Dejected, he turned his back on us, sighed and lay down, throwing longing glances at us. Needless to say, we never forgot him again. As the years went by, Lou was always there in the background wagging his stumpy tail. He officially baptized all the new grandbabies, licking their faces and ears. He greeted all guests who came, never failed to beg at the table, and slept right smack dab in the middle of Dad's bed with his head resting on the pillow. Coming back from vacation was as happy as going because we missed Louie so much while we were gone. Upon our return, Lou would wag so hard his whole body would quiver and dance all over the room. Lou seemed to always be there, a permanent fixture, sometimes taken for granted. In the fifteenth year of his life, his health steadily deteriorated. His teeth became abcessed. Arthritis made his joints ache and cancer formed in lumps all over his body. At the end of his fifteenth year, his wasted body wouldn't stand erected anymore. He couldn't eat without falling into his dish, and laying down was a major effort. Finally one day, he seemed to be near death. The family gathered and prayed over him. God gave us one more week to live him and appreciated him for the joy he added to our lives. Then one morning it was over. Lou breathed his painful last. It will be strange to go in the house without being greeted by his happy, glad-to-see-you wags. No more willhe scratch at the door to go out and bark at the robins invading his territory. He's peacefully at rest now, and maybe someday we will all be together as a family again. Goodbye old friend, you've proved yourself faithful time and again. Our lives were blessed by your love given freely without condition. We now know just how true man's best friend can be. Louis Leslie Brunia June 5, 1967-May 12, 1983
The Day "Jin-Jin" Died By Father Monty Jin-Jin's death was a wicked waste of beauty, of nature's form and loving grace, of recent motherhood, and of loving companionship. If "beauty" ever had a name it must have been called "Jin-Jin." If nature's form and loving grace is evidenced by a shining coat of brown and jet black, and legs and body that radiated strength and dignity, and eyes that missed not a single trick and a face that spoke of bloodline bold, then Jin-Jin was of nature's pure gold! If recent motherhood was rewarded with precious puppies of Jin-Jin's own, it did not ease her shabby and untimely death by ferocious worms that killed her heart of such golden motherhood. And left poor Jin-Jin dead, even though she was not yet three! Motherless came her puppies, to be. If loving companionship is like a glittering crown, then Jin-Jin was its princess like Diana and the English Rose. But above all, Jin-Jin loved and was loved. The day Jin-Jin died, it made the days cold and tears with anger unfold. If humankind is known to be our animals deadliest enemy, then such an enemy is less likely to be after being touched by one such little dog just like Jin-Jin. She made even the coldest person respect and love her overwhelmingly no matter how cold they might be. Even in her hours of little life left, Jin-Jin retained her magic to demand love and respect. She was magic, itself! Bless you Jin-Jin for having shared your life with me and me with you. Let me tell you, dear Spanky and Boy-Boy pine for you so sadly like I do. I have comforted them as they have comforted me, due to our joyless loss of you. But do remember, the echoes of our everlasting farewell will ALWAYS be with you, my sweet Jin-Jin!! Love always, Father Monty. P.S. I wasn't your "master," I was simply your loving friend from the moment we meet to the moment you died. I reject the concept of "master" per se, no creature needs a master but rather an unconditional friend that will never fail to give love, protection, and improve the quality of life of such creatures like Jin-Jin whenever, wherever, and however possible. The only master is LOVE, pure and simple!
LORD GREY A noble soul has gone aloft, his earthly troubles left behind to seek a more enlightened croft, to which his sort is best inclined. The writer, guru, physicist made up the friends which he had known. Along with the man who had walked on the moon, although this bird had never flown. While children had no need to fear, no cat could ever be secure, he left his mark in furry ears. The warrior struck well and true. And after 17 years of revelry, he found a kind and pleasent death. Surrounded by his family, he passed away at home, in bed Might there be room at Odin's board to toast a valiant little bird? LORD GREY,17 YEARS HE WAS MY FRIEND. 9-18-1977
Teah 1987-1998 Teah was a wonderful, sweet, and gentle Lhasa Apso. Teah came to us a few years into her life. She was a kennel dog only meant to make puppies. We took her in to give her a good home that she never had. She wasn't much to look at when we picked her up. A lot of her hair had fallen out, her teeth were broken, and she was very shy. We took her home, cleaned her up, and it didn't take long before she warmed up to us. We'll never know, but we think this was the first time she was happy and loved. Eventually her hair grew back and it was hard to imagine how we ever got along without her. Our other Lhasa Apso, Rosko, had a buddy to play with and they acted like they were always meant to be together. Teah was the laid back one while Rosko liked to play. They complemented each other so well. Teah and Rosko had four puppies in 1993. Teah was a terrific and caring mother. She had four puppies that have grown into wonderful dogs. Teah got sick before Thanksgiving. She held on through Christmas day almost as if she knew it was Christmas and she didn't want to leave then. She slipped further the day after Christmas and we said good-bye two days later. We love you and miss you Teah. We are glad to have given you the happiest times of your life. Daniel, Mary Ann, Barry, Rosko, Bianca, and Buddy
NOELLE 1982 - 1998 Noelle was an adorable, tiny white toy poodle. Her paws were tinged with apricot, and her eyes were always full of love. Noelle came to me sixteen years ago on Christmas Eve, and now she's gone, only two days after Christmas. She has helped me find such joy and contentment in life. I wish that I could repay her in some small way -- hence this memorial. Her personality and great joy for life were unbelievable -- she brought fun into everything that she did. Noelle was my greatest comfort one summer, when I was housebound due to eye surgery. She was always there to cuddle, and I sure wish that scratchy tongue could lick my face just once more! Noelle, we found a great resting spot for you. It's a beautiful pet cemetery, and you'll be under a flowering tree with other little dogs like yourself. We will never forget how you loved to wrestle the ornaments off the Christmas tree and chase them around the room!! Or the times when we would play "sock" for hours on end. Noelle, even at 16, you were still such a puppy at heart. You will surely be missed, and of course you know by now -WE LOVE YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!! The Emery Family
Kasie McDougal The sweetest little cocker black puppy face with trusting eyes alone in a pet shop being attacked by a parrot. The people were laughing. I was not and told them that I didn't think it was funny to let a parrot attack a defenseless little puppy. It was just before Christmas, and I didn't have enough money to buy him to save him from this assinine behavior. I went to check on him several times. I told my husband, that after Christmas if he was still there, that it was meant to be. He was. A greater love there will never be. Such a perfect boy. A gentleman to the end. He loved to chase the sounds of beeps and buzzes of driers or a million other things we never pay any attention to. He brought so much joy to my heart. I could not look at him without thinking how much I loved him. I could let him out to go potty, and tell him to be back in twenty minutes and he would, without fail. He would go to work with me and wait patiently for the end of the day. He was happy just to be with me. He was truly my baby. But you see, there are a lot of irresponsible people out there breeding animals. Although he was perfect on the outside, he was not bred to be perfect on the inside. He had bad eyes at a very early age, he aged excessively fast and early, had thyroid problems, colitis and congestive heart failure. And these are what took him away from me. None of which were his fault. All he wanted was to love and be loved. And this we did unconditionally. August 6, 1998, we lost our fight. I don't think my heart will ever stop breaking for Massa Manna Beautiful AKA: Kasie McDougal. There is no greater love than one given with nothing asked in return. I would have done anything to keep him here, even for awhile longer. But it was not in my hands. I just have to know that he is waiting for me on the Other Side. Helen
Mariah To little Mariah, the most empathetic sensitive intelligent Australian Shepherd there ever was. We will remember you beautifully running through the fields across the street, chasing rocks and rabbits. You are in our hearts and will stay there forever. You were my best friend, and I loved you. Wait for me in heaven. We will remember you always - always.
Muffin--A cherished member of the family--1986-1998 Muffin, a noble and brave feline, passed away on December 2, 1998. She will be sadly missed by all. Strong, throughout her life of 12 years, she provided comfort and strength to those she loved and courageously held her head up high right until the end. She is now free from pain and happily mousing with her younger sibling, Freckles, who predeceased her on December 25, 1992. Life will just not be same without you, Muffin. You were a very special friend to a lot of people. From your "snore-purr" to your "mega-meow", you gave us all many hours of enjoyment and affection. Muffin lost a very courageous battle to cancer. In the end, cancer took away her eyesight and her sense of smell. She stubbornly continued to eat and drink, despite the pain she was in. The Staff at Faraday Animal Hospital provided Muffin with compassion and care during her passing. For that, we are truly grateful. Miss Muff--goodbye precious! You will stay in our hearts forever!
OUR DEAR "SKIPPER" 1983-1998 "SKIPPER" CAME TO US IN ABOUT 1989, AT THE AGE OF 6. HE WAS A BEAUTIFUL BLACK AND WHITE BOSTON TERRIER, WITH RIPPLING MUSCLES AND JUST A TINGE OF BRINDLE. HE LEFT US ON NOVEMBER 22, 1998 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM. "SKIPPER" LEAVES BEHIND A LOVING FAMILY OF FOUR, PLUS HIS THREE COUSINS, CLARABELL, SUGAR, AND EMMITT. WE WILL MISS YOU, OLD BUDDY, BUT, WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN WE MEET AGAIN ON THAT "RAINBOW BRIDGE". THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD YEARS, AND NOW, MY FRIEND, REST IN PEACE, BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS ALLRIGHT. WE WILL BE OK, SKIP, BECAUSE WE ARE LOT BETTER OFF FOR HAVING YOU WITH US FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS. GOD BLESS YOU.
SPIKE the very friendly hedgehog... Not even a year with us did he live But that's time enough for impact A great guy with quills And very soft-spoken Hardly a squeek did he give. Waking him was quite a pleasure To see him run about to-and-fro Little wiggly legs back-and-forth Didn't know we could love him so. Enjoy your future Otter life. We'll never forget.
A MAGICAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS We loved you so much for all of these years now that you are gone our happiness turns to tears. You loved to play and go hunting with dad you were his best friend you never made him mad. Remembering the cottage and how happy you were the years go by so fast it all seems a blur. Time is too short hours pass by too fast wanting to turn back the clock to make it all last. You were patient with us you never gave up always triing to please ever since you were a pup. You learned everything that dad taught to you you were always so happy to show us what you could do. No hunting for years now you got too old to play your legs would not lift you on the floor is where you lay. An effort to get up an effort to get down Only a matter of time until you were no longer around. Now your soul is set free on this cold and gray rainy day you are in a magical place it seems so far away. We can still hear you bark we can still see your face in our hearts forever that is the magical place. Where your legs now lift you where you can run all day where your eyes can see clearly where you just want to play. Part of the familly you are now gone in our hearts you live forever our memories of you strong. Never will we forget you we would not even try our puppy of thirteen years now Brandy, we say good-bye. With everlasting love from Mom, Dad, Kristina, Shaun, Bailey and Spooky. |