SAYING GOODBY TO BANJO...A BELOVED PET

The little kitty on the left is Banjo. The big boy on the right is Buddy. The other morning, to my surprise, I found them like this in the laundry room. (top photo) Very unusual because they really weren't very close. Didn't really play or snuggle together. I fetched my camera and I'm so glad I did.

Later that day the Vet called to tell us Banjo's kidney's had failed. Late that afternoon, Richard took him back to the Vet and Banjo went to "sleep" in his arms. Out of all our kitties, I think Banjo was the sweetest of all . We miss him so much. I posted about Banjo on the forums and received so much love and support. I sent the photo to Linda in response to a very sweet email from her.

This morning I woke up to a very special surprise. She had commissioned another artist on Artfire named Jennie to do a special memorial photo. She also included a prayer on it from Buddy. It may be too small in the picture for you to read, so I will type it out.

Dear God,

I know I ask for alot of things,

like catnip, toy mice,

and even my own pants to dig up...

But I have one favor to ask.

May you please take care of my brother

Banjo. I love him dearly and he isn't feeling

very well. I know we don't see eye to eye

at times, but, I ask you this favor on

behalf of our mommy.

Love,

Buddy

Needless to say, when I saw the picture and prayer, I began to cry. It touched my heart so. These dear girls, whom I had never met had taken the time and effort to make such a beautful keepsake for us. Now, you may notice on the 4th line...the word "pants".

I think, perhaps, Jennie may have meant to write the word "plants". But, the Lord knew best. Buddy loves freshly washed and dried pants and other clothes and jumps in the laundry basket, digs around, makes a nest, and snuggles in. I have to shoo him out of the basket. So, you see, it wasn't a typo after all. I'm grateful to God for our time with Banjo. And grateful to Him for old friends and new, like Linda and Jennie. Thank you both. There are no coincidences, another friend calls them Godincidences...you see, today, my husband Richard is bringing Banjo's ashes home. Special thanks to my sister, Darla, who gifted us with them. This memorial for him comes at the very right time.

Banjo and Buddy are my "Babies", Linda and Jennie provided the "Baubles" and the Lord has used them and my sister, Darla, to be my "Blessings" today.

Linda's studios: RockyCreekGems and Calico Cat: http://www.rockycreekgems.artfire.com/

For those of us who love our pets and have made them a part of our families, please click on the link below to view a beautiful very short video of
"THE RAINBOW BRIDGE"
please make sure you have your sound on
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html