One Year Today, MISSING SCOOTER Options

[Shortrish]

It's been one year to the day since we lost our beloved cat Scooter. He was only six years old, and had kidney failure. It has been a long, sad year, but we have also had blessings also. After we lost Scooter, we lost 5 people very close to us. Three, to a murder suicide, and one was a close friend of my husband who died suddenly. The other was a woman we worked with for many years. It seemed as if the sorrow would never end. If not for this forum, and being able to express my deep sorrow, helplessness, anger, and other emotions, I don't think I could have made it through.
I have met many wonderful people here, and I want to thank you so much for all of your kind words and help and shoulders to cry on. But, I want to thank someone special that I met on this forum. We'd both lost our cats very close to one another, and we started writing back and forth to one another through this year. We have shared so much with one another, and helped each other through sad personal times as well as shared happy times too. Without her, especially to this day, I doubt that I could have remained sane throughout all of the tragedy we've suffered this year. And her name is Barbara (Scatsmom) on the board here. I hope she doesn't mind, but she has become my closest friend. We both feel that our furbabies that passed on, did bring us together to help one another through.
Recently, Barb, had lost her cat Shadow, and had been missing for more than 40 days. I know she posted about it here. Through prayers every day and night, and thinking positive thoughts, we could only hope for a miracle. As each day went by, it was getting more difficult to think there could be a good outcome, but I still had faith that Shadow would return home. And, one day, before the anniversary of Scooters passing, SHADOW WAS FOUND AND RETURNED HOME.
Barb and I both feel that Scooter had somthing to do with Shadow being found and brought to a shelter.
A while ago, I'd had a dream that I shared, about Scooter, and could not understand it. I saw Scooter, and he appeared to be in a scene where there was a lot of chaos, and damage. I didn't recall him looking at me, but it was definitely Scooter in the dream. My friend came to the conclusion, after a lot of thought, that Scooter was there helping others to cross, or find their way home. It would have been like Scooter to do that. He was a brave little guy.
Anyway, after Scooter passed, we swore that we would never adopt any more cats. I started volunteering at the local shelter an went a few times a week. My husband knew that somthing more would come of this, and somehow, I feel that Scooter sent us to Marcel, whom we adopted,. We were back to four cats again. Marcel does so many of the same things that Scooter did, one of them, is how he would wrap his paws around my arm and snuggle with me, and Marcel does this too. There are other things, but Marcel has brought us joy.
We thought we were done with adopting. My son could not keep his 9 year old cats, and surrendered them to the shelter. I didn't think we could handle 2 more cats into our household. My husband I visited Astro and Dante at the shelter a few times, but then then got sick, and were put into isolation and on medication. We were still allowed to visit them in a special room, and we made sure to wash our hands before we came home, and even washed our clothes, to make sure we wouldn't spread any infection to our cats at home. Astro and Dante recovered, and the shelter wanted us to take them, because they'd not been adopted out, and were running out of space, and the alternative was unthinkable, so we rushed over and adopted both Astro and Dante. So, after swearing to never adopt any more cats, we've found more than enough room in our hearts to love for all six of our cats.
It has been a long year for sure, and so much pain and many tears shed. Just yesterday, we learned of another family friend that has passed, and another friend has cancer that has spread. Somtimes all you can do is cry, and we have. But, prayer, has helped so much, at least with me. And, of course, my friend Barb,
A while ago, we found a video tape of Scooter, in a camera we were going to get with, but checked to see what was on the tape. What a blessing finding and having that tape has been. A living reminder of our baby, healthy and happy, and of course, his cat bark, was caught on the tape also.
At some point, I'd come up with the idea of a memorial garden for Scooter with a bridge, to symbolize the "Rainbow Bridge". I'll try and attach a few pictures of it. Planting this memorial garden for Scooter, has helped so much. It will be a loving project in the works, as we will add other annuals each year.
I'm sorry this post is so long, but I've needed to come here and express my thoughts and thanks, and my sympathy to all of those who have had to come here.

"GOD DIDN'T PRMISE DAYS WITHOUT PAIN, LAUGHTER WITHOUT SORROW, SUN WITHOUT RAIN. BUT, HE DID PROMISE STRENGTH FOR THE DAY, COMFORT FOR THE TEARS, AND LIGHT FOR THE WAY'

My love to all of you
Scooters mom

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[Furrys Mum]

Dear Shortrish,
What a beautiful memorial to Scooter, & how strong you are to now have 6 cats to care for. But they give such love & joy - how could one ever be without a furry friend? It will be a year for me without Furry in 7 days time, how do we carry on? It is so great for you to have a video of Scooter, & to hear him again. Every night as I go to bed I smell a clump of Furry's fur, she lives on in my memories.
Judith

[Shortrish]

Hi Eveeryone,
How could I have forgotten the best blessing of all this year. It was the birth of our second grandson in May. He is beautiful and healthy and a great joy to all of us

Scooters Mom

[Moose Mom]

Scooters mom

You have had a very rough year, I'm so sorry. We are starting to be able to see the end of our first year without our boy, dreading it. I'm so sorry you lost Scooter.

On a better note I'm happy you have Astro and Dante and a new grandson! Blessing happen in the worst of times. I'm so happy you found a new friend and I woke up smiling today because I remembered Shadow got home. I guess we just have to find something to smile about as often as possible right now.

Scooter's memorial is beautiful.

Love

[k9pal]

Shortrish, Love the memorial for Scooter it is beautiful. I can tell how much thought and love went into it. Congrats on all your new furbabies and grandson! I hope they all bring you alot of love and joy. Take car K9pal

[zookeeper]

Dear Shortrish,

I am absolutely in awe of your lovely garden, complete with the "rainbow bridge'. What a beautiful and loving tribute to your friend, and I'm sure a source of comfort to you. Thank you for sharing it with us (and inspiring some of us too!)

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Sharon

[radgirl]

What a great post. I too found this board to be a place to meet people that care. So sad to lose Scooter at such a young age, I am so sorry.

I too believe Scooter had something to do with Shadow being found. What a happy ending!!!

Interesting too that you found such a friend in Marcel........we also found a new cat after 7 months that we believe our Misty sent us.

Sounds like you had a tragic year otherwise, I don't know how you made it. You sound like a very insightful person. I am glad you found comfort here and it sounds like things have looked up recently...especially with a new grandson! Yeah!

I know Misty is watching over our daughter. I am sure Scooter is doing the same for your grandsons......

Your memorial is awesome, what a beautiful garden. That bridge is the best part. Great job! Hugs, Misty's Mama

[AlleysMama]

Scooter's garden memorial is so very beautiful and what a fitting resting place for your dear boy.

I know it has been a very hard year for you and I'm glad things are starting to look up.

It seems that Scooter is watching over others as well as you

[Muffins]

Dear (((((((Scooter's Mom))))))):

You have been through such a rough year -- Thank you God for the wonderful blessing you have had in the birth of your second grandson !

I cannot say enough about how absolutely beautiful you have made your beloved Scooter's memorial garden.

After reading this:

A while ago, I'd had a dream that I shared, about Scooter, and could not understand it. I saw Scooter, and he appeared to be in a scene where there was a lot of chaos, and damage. I didn't recall him looking at me, but it was definitely Scooter in the dream. My friend came to the conclusion, after a lot of thought, that Scooter was there helping others to cross, or find their way home. It would have been like Scooter to do that. He was a brave little guy.

and seeing the the bridge ("Rainbow's Bridge) in Scooter's garden, it definitely sounds to me as if your precious guy has become one of God's very special guardian angels.

Sending you and yours much comfort & love,

Denise

[Chaos, my little...]

Your memorial is stunning. Good to read about your wonderful friendship that you've found here too. What a wonderful forum this is.

[Laney]

How absolutely beautiful your memorial garden to Scooter is! I love the bridge. You have given me an idea to try and memorialize my sweet Murphy. We just had an actual bridge installed over a creek that runs through our property. Maybe I can dedicate it to Murphy by installing a plaque of some kind. It would comfort me to look at it.

My thoughts are with you and your family. You've had a rough time of it.
Laney

[Shortrish]

Thank you to all have replied. It just goes to show, how wonderful and supportive everyone is here. The memorial garden is the first thing I lot at in the morning when I go into the kitchen. I sit there and have my morning cup of tea, and it does give me peace.

Love and hugs to everyone here,

Scooters Mom

[Precious' mom]

Scooter's Mom,
I adore that memorial to your baby!! It is gorgeous and so fitting for such a beautiful and loving cat. I'm hoping all is well with you after the year anniversary. It's a hard one; I just went through mine with Precious (gone one year on 06 August). It's emotionally hard to imagine how fast time really does go -- I wonder where the year went! But Precious still communicates with me, I can still feel his presence even though I've got three cats now. Precious will always be Number One no matter how many cats I have.
God bless you and your family. Have faith that things will get better!
Lisa