So yes, it's almost been a month. Will be 4 weeks this Friday since my cat Majestée passed away. Today, August 3rd is her birthday. She would've been 16. I'm sad that she's not here for her birthday.

Is any one of you joining the Monday Candle Ceremony on the Pet Loss website? I went for the second time and cried more than I thought. But it is comforting.
I received my cat's ashes last week. The cremation company was really nice and sent me a card and the Rainbow Bridge poem and a certificate of authenticity. They also included a lock of fur. It made me cry a lot. I had Haruka, my remaining cat, sniff it and he licked it. He licked the urn too. I wonder if he knows. I displayed the urn in my living room, not sure where to place it. Today I bought flowers and placed them beside it.

It makes me happy to have her near me, but at the same time it makes me feel so sad to think that my friend from so long is now a pile of dust. She was there just 3 weeks ago. It seems like she's just away for a while, that any second now I'm going to see her turn the corner to my room. But she's not coming back. Sometimes I imagine seeing her, but it's just a cushion, or a shadow...
I know this is all part of life, but it's still just so painful.

I was always told that animals do not go to Heaven because they don't have a soul. But I was reading Cold noses and the Pearly Gates by Gary Kurz and I realized this can't be true. There is much evidence proving they do go to Heaven! I'm still worried though. Cats are still cats. When cats have to move houses, they are scared and confused and stressed. If my cat is suddenly in Heaven, is she thinking: where am I? I'm scared. I don't know anyone here. Where is my mom?
But this is Heaven, so I'm hoping that even animals are free from any fear.

Please wish Majestée a happy birthday today.

Happy Birthday, Majestée.

Know that cats DO have spirits, and your little Majestée is sitting right next to you purring away.

I lost my little Diamond-Kitty to liver cancer yesterday, but I feel his spirit with me.

Hi, Sapphireluna, please let me try to reassure you that indeed our furkids ARE in heaven. Scripture attests to this, even though most organized religions prefer not to acknowledge this. Are you familiar with James Herriot? He was asked this very concern by one of his clients who was very worried that she wouldn't see her furkids in heaven, that she had been told that animals do not have souls. This is what he said to her: "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. I know I'm right . . . They teach us vets all about animals' souls." (Quote from "Do Animals Have Souls, The Best of James Herriot, copyright 1982).

And please know that she is happy in the company of the angels - - and all of our precious furkids to keep her company and play with. I'm sure they gather together and share their stories of their "humans" - - and all agree they will be so happy when we join them in eternal joy at our appropriate time. What a glorious reunion that will be!!!!

I'm glad you have Majestée's ashes back, and yes, Haruka does understand - - he recognizes Majestée's scent. But she is NOT reduced to ashes. That is only her physical body. Her sweet Living Spirit is forever with you, Sapphireluna. I know the transition to this different dimension is hard, so very hard, for the ache to hold our precious furkids never goes away. They are indelibly imprinted in our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies, and their physical absence is very painful - - both physically and emotionally.

Rest assured, Sapphireluna, that your precious Majestée is forever with you sharing every moment of every day just as she always has - - she no longer is limited to waiting for you to get back home after grocery shopping, work, etc.. - - she's right beside you helping you pick out those "sinful" cookies that are so unresistable and saying "go ahead, mom - - you deserve this special treat".

Sapphireluna, I hope in some way you will find comfort and peace in the words I have written. Please know you are close in my thoughts and prayers.

Happy Birthday, Majestée!!

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you. It really is much comforting.
I know everything you say is true, but it's just so hard to get rid of this feeling of "unreal" and all the "what if" and "if only".

I feel my faith is being tested. I'm not sure what's real and what's not anymore.

Dear Sapphireluna--

My faith went through a similar kind of testing when my beloved Ladywolf left her body almost two months ago now. Everything I believed and didn't believe came up for questioning, and I even sought spiritual counsel, which is very unlike me.

What happened in the days after Ladywolf passed is that she came back to live here again, in the sense that I can feel her presence all around me all the time, particularly in this little house that I rent. So I KNOW that she is not really "gone," even though I watched her body being buried. And I figure that if her spirit can be with me all the time, then her soul just MUST exist, on some higher plane. I do not know if I will ever "see" her again, but I sense her with me all the time anyway.

I think that the spiritual questioning is perfectly normal and right on schedule for you. Losses as huge as your's and mine can just naturally cause us to question our belief-systems. If we loved them THAT much, how could they simply cease to exist? My answer is that they DON'T cease to exist.

I hope that you find peace in your own heart, in time...

Big hugs from Margi, Spiritwolf, and Sir Leopold

I have just stopped by and read your post. I lost my Moose Dog in 05. And today is the 4th anniversary of having to put my Gato Cat asleep after 16 yrs. They were my family. Anyways, dont you believe pets dont go to Heaven. Your pet is part of who you are, they become part of our spirit and essence. God loves you so much, why would he not give you the desire of your heart. I totally believe he will restore all that we have lost and loved! They are all part of who we are. Never lose hope, heaven is filled with animals!!!!!