Angelus aka Angel Crossed the rainbow bridge:  22 August 2012 Back in the spring of 2000, my sister and I went to the pound to look for a dog.  We didn't find one and for some strange reason I decided to look at the cats.  I spotted this one with unusual markings; he looked more like a Dalmatian then any cat coloring I'd seen before.  Looking at his card they had his age as a year a half with a question mark.  I opened the cage to pet him and he jumped right into my arms and started purring.  Well that was it.  I decided to get him.  We found out when we went to the counter that he was free since he'd been there so long and was going to be put to sleep.  They actually didn't know how old he was; just that he was younger then five years and older than a year.  We didn't care.  We took him home and he bonded immediately with my niece Lucinda.  Angel would sleep with her and when she got up during the night so did he only to follow her back into the room again when she went to bed.  Over the years we've had many pets come and go in our lives, but for over 12 years now Angel has been on constant. No matter how many others we may have he will always be special to us.  In the last few months of his life his age started to affect him and finally my sister and I were discussing taking him to the vet however we decided to wait.  It was Lucinda who decided when it was time and approached us on the matter; proving just how much of an adult she is becoming.  Angel has been a part of her life since she was six.  This was very hard on all of us even when we knew it was the right thing to do.  I am just very thankful that he has been with us to watch over us and love us. 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... We often wondered if we should have called him the Joker since he always looked as if he were smiling. While Cricket was alive he followed Angel everywhere.  We often joked we should have named him Trouble so we could say "Where Angel goes Trouble follows".  We lost Cricket a little over a year ago to a brain tumor and I am sure he has been waiting on the other side of the bridge for Angel.   Home