by Kristin
(Pittsburgh)

Cody Sleeping In His Favorite Bed

Cody was a lost cat who followed us home from school on October 25, 2007. I called him "kitty" and he quickly trotted after us. I swear he was was made for us. I fell in love with him right away. At the time we were having trouble with our neighbors, and we were still grieving our old cat,Itchy (named that because she was a stray with fleas), who died of cancer and distemper. He was so cute and funny, he loved chasing balls of paper,climbing,hunting,and being with us.


A few weeks after we got him, we took him to the vet to be fixed and to receive shots. After about two years he stopped eating. We thought he was just having a stomach ache and he would be better. Well, we waited and he stopped drinking. We decided to check him out and noticed his eyes were watering and he was losing weight. We scheduled a vet appointment for the next day.


After I came home from school (my Mom took Cody to the vet while I was gone), I was shocked to hear that Cody was diagnosed with the non-curable Feline Leukemia.


As the days passed by, Cody started to get better. One year later, he had another outbreak, which seemed minor, in which he was sleeping all day,not eating much,and he started sleeping under my Mom's bed.


We ignored it until he started throwing up and not going in his litter box, which was wrong. About a week after that,when he was just getting better,he went missing. I went searching for him and found him stiff and cold,under my mom's bed.

We wrapped him in his favorite blanket,put him in a box,and put most of his toys in there with him to take to heaven with him. We hugged him and kissed him,said a prayer,put some holy water over his body, and each of us wrote a note to him. Mine to him said this:


"Dear Cody,
I miss you so much, even though you have been gone for less than two hours. You were the greatest and best cat in the universe. We will never forget you. You will always be in our hearts. For now,go to heaven and meet Itchy. I have told you a lot about her,so I think you'll identify her easily. While you're gone, please think about us,and the great life you had. I know we will. Especially Grandpa and I. Please give me a sign you're in heaven now,like a dream. For now, sleep well my little son,until the day you'll see me again.

Love Mommy,"



I have not received a sign from Cody yet, but I do know he is in heaven running with the other family cats who have passed on. Itchy,Lechat,Ezie,C.P,Little Kitty,and Carrie. Here is a poem that made me accept that Cody is gone, but his spirit still lives on:



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...








Dedicated To Cody, who was,indeed,the best,and the fastest cat(lol, it was a joke that we made up for him), in the world. We love you Cody!