*Goodbye Sweet Caramel Girl*

Friday night, my sweet Caramel cat made her way to heaven. She will be waiting for me when I cross that rainbow bridge. Caramel was 13 years old and had been in poor health for the past 6 months. It was so sad to see her go, but I know that she no longer suffers. When I was living in Florida in 1995 I was suffering from loneliness at recently having my cat Crystal put down due to poor health. I tried living without an animal companion, but I could not. Off I went to the Animal Shelter in Ocala to see what I could find. I was talking to the attendant there and telling him how I could not live without a fur companion. He started suggesting several younger cats or kittens that he thought I would be interested in. All of the cages were lined up and there were a total of about 9 or 10 cats. All the while he was describing each cat or kitten, I sensed a cat in the bottom row of cages staring at me. It was a gorgeous siamese mix with beautiful blue eyes and a soft meow. I finally interrupted and said "what about this one?" He said that it was an older female that was due to be euthanized that day. I asked to hold her and when I did she immediately began purring and made me her new owner. Caramel and I became fast friends. I can remember my habit of laying on the carpet watching movies and having her come up and groom my hair with her tongue. At first I resisted, but when she looked at me with despair, I allowed her to continue with her grooming. When I had extensive surgery and was lying on my sofa feeling sorry for myself, she would lay next to me and purr. I have so many good memories of Caramel and I will always love her. We lived in Florida until the end of 1998 and then she moved with me to Michigan. She was strictly a one-person cat as most Siamese are. She enriched and enhanced my life. Cats give an unconditional love that you can't find elsewhere. Caramel, sweet girl, cross that rainbow bridge where all good pets go and wait for me................
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