"Cassidy's Story Part 2"

Cassidy had gone to the Bridge the 18th. of March.
On a late June evening my daughter Krisitn
and I had rented a movie.
My husband was upstairs, for this was a "girl" movie,
and Krisitn and I were downstairs seated in front
of the recreation room T.V.

I had made popcorn for the first time since
Cassidy's leaving and had settled myself in the chair
where Cass and I had always sat.
Kristin, with Zoey, was comfortable
in the chair across from me.

Suddenly, about half way through the movie,
I was very much aware of a slight weight
that had come to rest on my left shoulder.
Shocked beyond all belief,
I told Kristin that Cass was on my shoulder.
"Mom, you are imagining things," was the response,
the same response I would have given myself
prior to this experience.
But, I was not imagining things and I knew that the little rat
sat on my shoulder once again.

We watched the movie until the end,
the little presence with me the entire time.

Then, suddenly, she was gone...
and also, the guilt.
The weight I had carried had vanished
and I was finally able to truly
enjoy memories of my little friend's life without sorrow.

Cass has not returned since, although so often
I have wished to experience her presence just one more time.
The guilt has not returned either
and all my memories of Cass are of
the beauty and joy of our friendship.
Not of what I did or did not do.

When sending grieving pet owners pet loss cards
that state that their beloved companions wait for them at the Bridge,
I know that this is true.
When someone writes me that they wonder if their pet
has forgiven them for something either done or not done,
I can say a confident "Yes!"

My little black Berkshire rat Cassidy
who came back one more time to tell me, "It's alright"
gave me more than just a hope
in the Rainbow Bridge Poem.

And now when confronted with those grieving
the loss of a beloved animal friend, I can say with a confidence,
"They do love us, they do remember us
and we WILL see them again!"

Rats of the Rainbow link
"Cinnamon's Story...Humble Beginnings"