Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Nicodemus 2006-2008

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


I knew the time was close. Nic had been losing weight fast, and his breathing was loud and raspy. Over the past few days, he could be found sleeping in Lorelei's arms, happy just to be warm and comforted.
This morning, my heart filled up when I saw that the girls had made a soft bed with a pillow in a box for Nic. And they covered him with a hand towel to keep him warm. His eyes were dull and he seemed to have no strength even to let us know he had had enough snuggling.
I picked him up, kissed him and placed him back in his cage with Max, Isabelle's male rat.

In the afternoon, I went up to check on him, but I just knew what I would find.

He hadn't been dead for long. His soft fur was still warm.

The girls were told, and while Isabelle has gone through this before and is older, Lorelei took it hard. Her sweet eyes filled with tears and she threw her tiny arms around my neck.

After dinner, we prepared Nic for burial.

The girls painted a rock for his tombstone, with a million red hearts and a message for Nic to take with him to the Hereafter.


Rest, dear sweet Nicodemus.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good night sweet prince!

Amy said...

How sad to lose your Nic. This entry is very timely as we are about to lose one of our 4 ferrets...and he's my favorite. I was talking to my hubby about Ermey's impending death and said it hurts too much to lose a dear pet. Yet, what would our lives be without animals? I can't imagine not sharing my life with them. Thank you for sharing your pet with us. It helped somehow.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry, Susan. Thinking of you and your girls tonight. :(

Mary said...

OMG Susan. I'm starting my day bawling. May he rest in peace...

KGMom said...

Oh Susan--so sorry. So hard to lose a much loved pet. Give the girls extra hugs from all your fans here in Blogland, including me.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I'm sorry Dear Susan. Aching for you this morning.

Laura said...

Aw, it's always so hard to lose a family friend. So sorry ...

Susan said...

Susan,
I'm so sorry about your little pet. Those are adorable photos of him.

NatureWoman said...

Wah, I'm so sorry you lost your dear Nicodemus, sniff, sniff, hugs to you.

Mel said...

:(

Kathie Brown said...

So sorry for the loss of your pet. That Rainbow Bridge poem is wonderful. Someone sent it to me when our dear old collie died. Hugs.