Remembering Lucy + The Heaven of All Animals

One of our cats, Lucy, died last month on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. 

He was 15 years old. 

We only have one cat left, Meenie. 

2020 was not a good year for us in terms of pet loss. 

In addition to Lucy, Eenie died in April. 

He, too, was old - 16 years old. 

Both Lucy and Eenie were "Super Seniors" - cats who reach the age of 15 years old.

Having lived at our farm for 25 years, 15 of them with Lucy, there are reminders of him everywhere I look.

He probably sat on every piece of furniture we have in the house.

He was an easy-going cat who got along well with all the pets throughout his life.

He loved catnip - especially fresh catnip from the garden that we would dry in the dehydrator.

The cats would enjoy their special treats. This is when we had five cats (four of which are shown).

Lucy and Montague were close friends. When Montague came back from being groomed, he was so happy to see him. Lucy rubbed his head on Montague's to welcome him back.

Whenever I typed, the pets would surround me. Often times, they would be right where my arms were, making it slightly difficult to type.

  

Lucy was a good sport about the girls taking photos of him. He was a patient cat.

He also wanted to be right next to us when we ate. Towards the end of his life, he got bolder and tried to take our food if we weren't paying attention.

He was a part of holiday celebrations and always got a special treat in his stocking at Christmas. 

 

I loved seeing how the dogs would get along with the cats.

As I was thinking about Lucy, I looked at the books at the library and found some that dealt with pet loss. There was one that was a children's book that I thought may be helpful for Olivia, since it was she who found Lucy when he had collapsed in the next room from where she was sitting. She came in to get me - panicked - and then we went back to see what was going on. Olivia pulled Lucy out from behind the nightstand, where he had collapsed (we think he had a heart attack). 

Although he had a faint heartbeat, it was clear he was on the brink of death. We pet him as he was dying and told him he was a good boy. 

So, this book is one that I thought she'd like to see. Perhaps it could provide some comfort to her. I know it did for me. 

The Heaven of Animals by Nancy Tillman provides a message of comfort that helps people through the process of grieving and healing.

The illustrations are lovely and some brought tears to my eyes as I thought of the many pets that we have had over the years who are no longer with us - dogs, cats, a horse, sheep, chickens, turkeys, fish, and a hedgehog. 

I love the photos of animals coexisting who would never be next to one another on Earth - buffalo with a macaw, a cat, and a dog; or the boat with a child-angel, dog, giraffe, cat, and gorilla. 

Below are some of the images and text from the book that I particularly enjoyed. I also loved the cover of the book, pictured above.

When dogs get to heaven they're welcomed by name, and angels know every dog's favorite game.

When kitties arrive on their soft kitty paws

they are even more lovely to look at because

when they bathe up in heaven, their fur is so fine -

they stretch out their toes and just let themselves shine.

Horses in heaven are never alone, and grass is much sweeter than grass here at home. 

Whenever they want to, horses can snack; as soon as they nibble, grass grows itself back.

Sometimes a horse just wants to have fun,

so he and his friends kick their hooves up and run.

When it is thundering high in the sky,

horses in heaven are galloping by.

Heaven changes everything. 

But the love that you have for your animal friends is always the same - that love never ends. 

It makes itself known in all kinds of ways. 

It floats all around them, or settles and stays. 

And when angels whisper in animal ears, it is your voice that each animal hears.

You'll grow older; I will, too. 

That's what people always do.

But when you meet your friends again,

they'll see you as they saw you then

And you'll find they always knew

how much they were loved...

and how much they loved you.