Thursday, March 06, 2014

Thankful Thursday

 Thankful Thursday brings me to a topic I have not expressed the deep appreciation I have for it.
This photo is the second one I took of my Miss Priss. It was taken inside the PetsMart where we adopted Annabelle from. I was in the process of filling out the paperwork to adopt Annabelle. There were  these open bookshelves in the adoption area where she made herself right at home at. She was very relaxed but wary.
 When I was drawn to the cat area last December I really wasn't thinking that I would be bringing this young cat, or any cat into my home. My heart knew I wanted to adopt again, but I was battling with the notion that it would be a betrayal to Abby if I did. It's a silly irrational thought, but I imagine one that many have had when their beloved cat or dog passes to the Rainbow Bridge. When is the right time? Is there a right time? Am I doing the right thing?
When I saw Annabelle, then Fritzie my heart started singing. But I still hesitated, for 24 hours I hesitated and then I starting wondering would she still be there when I got back? What would Abby think?
Now I believe whole heartedly Abby had a huge part in this entire event.
 Little did I know how much healing Annabelle would bring to my empty and broken heart. She made me smile and she brought life back into my world. Annabelle has performed a second miracle, she helped me so much with the loss of Gracie. Without her, the anguish and the sadness of going through those two weeks of intense care for Gracie would have been overwhelming and I believe would have made me tumble back into that doom of despair I had just begun to come out of.
 There was one very sweet and parting gift given to me from Gracie to Annabelle. I recorded a scene the day before Gracie left for the Bridge. It was of Gracie and myself at the kitchen table. I was recording Gracie to get her meow. She did meow for me, but while I was recording Annabelle jumped up on top of the table and she walked up to Gracie. Gracie gave her a head butt and Annabelle in turn began to groom her. It all happened so quickly and then Annabelle was off -- ZOOMING as she does-- into the dining room where she jumped onto the fringe of the rug. Something she relishes playing with. Gracie watched her intently. I pondered for a moment ... did Gracie think that used to be me? Now my time is nearly done here? It was a wistful moment. For me. For Gracie.
 The recording stops at that moment but it is a gift. One I was so happy to have, of Annabelle accepting Gracie. It made me sad too, because I thought of all the cats, Gracie and Annabelle could have been good friends who played together. Gracie loved to play and Annabelle does too. But there wasn't enough time for that to develop. Not enough.
***
I will always treasure that moment, it was special.
 I will always be thankful for Annabelle helping me get through these dark dark days.
So today what are you Thankful for?
***
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30 comments:

  1. That is a wonderful moment the two of them had. Who knows what a friendship might have been or perhaps already was in that short time-

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  2. That was positively magical, what happened between Annabelle and Gracie right at that moment - and that you were there as witness. I do think it was a gift to you, as Annabelle is Abby's gift to you... because I do agree she had a paw in bringing her to you.

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  3. We've been keeping up with you guys with the emails of your posts. Our hearts purr love and happy your way. We wanted to come visit and say hello to everyone!
    =^~^=

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  4. this was beautiful, and you know I can 110% relate...

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  5. Sparkle said it better than we could.
    ***
    I remember the last afternoon with Annie, after work, when she wobbled her way upstairs and lay in the sunshine on my bedroom floor for a while, let me take those last photos...then she and Derry made their way into one of the spare rooms (I left them alone), while they shared some sort of Cat Communication. I don't know what passed between them, but they weren't there long, then Annie went back to the basement for the last night. I think a special moment between the two of them.

    So yeah, we understand. (((Hugs)))

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  6. Cats have a wonderful way of knowing when something is "happening". The two cats I had before Hannah and Lucy were not close like them. Max was sick and we had to send him to the Bridge and Emma (who was really my late husband's cat) started to sit with me - she never had before.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  7. I am forever thankful for mine gorgeous sweet tuxie Angel Abby. She for sure did bring you into Annabelle's life and she for sure did bring Annabelle into your heart. Just like Ralph brought me into Norton's life and into my forever home.

    purrrss n nosekissies- your adoring floofy cocoapuff meezerman Sammy

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  8. What a touching moment. Abby has a paw in so many things that happen in your household, and always will. Pierre and the cats who came before had that kind of moment with Cyrano at the end on his long Christmas night. They don't tell the rest of us what secrets they whispered with thier whiskers, but they are moments that humans are privileged to share.

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  9. What a beautiful moment between Gracie and Annabelle. And how precious it was that you were able to witness that.

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  10. i always admire the talent you have of putting emotions into words. and thank you for your generosity in sharing these emotions to us.

    emma and buster

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  11. one cat never leaves without sending another....sometimes sooner than later

    annabelle has blossomed since coming to your house; sure the lighting in the pet store may not have been as good, it's not obvious in her coat...but in her eyes....

    annabelle is thankful for her gotcha day... and more....
    Xxx

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  12. Finnnnnnnalllllly we can comment
    Mom turned the crazy puter off and had a cup of tea!!

    We are sure Angel Abby had a paw in your finding Annabelle and giving her a furever home
    Hugs Madi your bfff

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  13. I do believe that to everything, for everything, there is a season. Our human selves don't always recognize it especially at the time?) or even like it. But I do believe there is a reason and a season for everything. And that makes me happy and thankful.

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  14. That is wonderful as Abby and Gracie are smiling, we can feel it.

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  15. That is such a wonderful story and a great memory. That was so nice of Annabelle to be nice to Gracie. I really believe that animals know when another one is sick or older. Great post. Take care.

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  16. beautiful beautiful story, I am sure Gracie is still playing with Annabelle, just in a different form xoxo

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  17. I feel the same way about my sweet Quill. He helped ease my heart so very much as I grieved for my girl. Purrs to you.

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  18. So much to be thankful for here today. Conflicting emotions are common before adopting again and yet we just know when we listen to our heart, like you did.

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  19. That was a beautiful moment between Gracie and Annabelle, and special for you to be able to witness it.

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  20. We know just how you feel and we do believe Annabelle had so much to do with it! Btw, we LOVE your photos! Purrs...

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  21. That was beautiful. Annabelle had been a genuine blessing in so many ways.

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  22. I am thankful that I joined the blogging community so that I could meet people like you who love their furry children as deeply and wholeheartedly as I do. It is wonderful to belong with such a great group of people like you!
    Marty's mom

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  23. We're thankful you listened to your heart and adopted Annabelle, rather than thinking you would be betraying Abby. I believe anyone who truly loves another will never want to stop their beloved from filling the hole in their heart caused by those who have left us behind.

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  24. What a wonderful story. We're so glad Annabelle is helping you heal.

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  25. What a magical moment between them and how wonderful that you got to witness it. Beautiful post. Purrs...

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  26. Cats are as mysterious sometimes as they are magical at other times. While you listened to your heart and adopted Annabelle, I am sure Angels Abby and Grace were listening too. There is so much love there.

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  27. What a special moment with Annabelle and Gracie. :)

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  28. That was a wonderful precious moment. I agree that there might have been more of them had things turned out a bit differently. TBT

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  29. Debra, that was such an exceptionally great post in praise of both Gracie and Annabelle. I was so pleased when you brought Annabelle into your life because it meant that you were opening yourself up to love again. It was tragic that Gracie's death had to fall so closely after that. But it was obvious that whether Gracie, Abby or both drew you to this precious gift, you two were meant to be in each others lives. XO, Janet

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>^,,^<
♥AngelAbby♥Annabelle♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥AngelGrace♥