Lately, on facebook, I’ve been seeing people posting pictures of their furbabies and saying that they’ve recently crossed over the rainbow bridge. Just last Friday my sister, Jaci, said her last good-byes to her sweet furbaby, Mittens. She was 16 and such a sweet, lovable cat. I know that each time I visited, Mittens would come over to me, snuggle in my lap, and turn up her purrbox. How could you not fall in love with that?

My daughter had become close with Mittens as well and always gave her a gentle pet and a kiss before turning around and chasing the other, much younger cats in the house. There was something about Mittens that made my daughter be more gentle, lovable, and caring when she was around her. Maybe animals and autistic children have a secret way of communicating. However, I found it sweet and beautiful each time I saw them together.

Animals aren’t just pets, they’re family. I’ve had a couple of my own while I was living out on my own and can tell you that losing them was the hardest thing I had to endure, well, losing my grandpa a few years ago was actually the most hardest thing I’ve ever endured. Losing both of my cats was the second hardest.

Hugs to all of you who have lost your best friend, your furbaby!