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Hi Shailen and everyone,

Firstly...Many thanks AGAIN, for ALL the wonderful help and support over the past few years...I have lost several beloved little pets, as you know...and the continued support I receive, and the ability to give support to others too, on this site, is wonderful...Thankyou all so much...

I have loved each and every pet I have ever had, and really I don't like to think that I have had favourites, but truly , my beloved guineapig , Charlie, was so special.....My heart is breaking today, ( as it has EVERY day since the day he crossed Rainbow bridge ), as I think that on Thursday, 13th Feb, it will be 2 yrs since he left me....
Charlie's story, and his photos are all here on the memorial , and I know you have all seen and read them before....but today I sit here, at my computer, with the tears streaming down my face, longing for that little furry friend, with the bright and sparkly eyes....I am going through so much in my life right now, and Charlie helped me through a very difficult 7yrs...and how I wish he was here with me now..yes, 7yrs I had my beloved guineapig !! Quite a long life for a little piggy....
Many people think I am crazy to have loved a guineapig...I have a lovely cat ( who I adore too ) . She's almost 15yrs old now, so one day I will have to let her go too....and currently, I have 6 beautiful guineapigs that I love with all of my heart...but truly, Charlie was the dearest pet I have ever had !.....
Just feeling devastated today....its as if its all happening again......
Thanks for letting me ramble on here....
Irene

I have Charlie's ashes in a little memorial box, with a photo of him and me on it....I took a few ashes and put them in a tiny velvet heart, and this was sown into a beautiful bear ( from "Build a Bear" workshop ), and he sits on my bed...so a bit of Charlie is always with me....and no, I am not a child, I am a 50yr old mom of 2 adult children !....People can laugh if they want, but its my way of trying to cope with the loss...

Hello Irene, I can understand how you are feeling. It seems as if we build up a special relationship with a pet; a love and closeness that is special. I lost my cat Toffee 2 years ago and she was so special to me. My heart aches for her, and I love all animals, but just cannot feel ready to have another cat yet. You had a special bond with Charlie and he and you shared something special. What other people think doesn't matter; he is in your heart forever and is close to you. I think your remembrance of him is lovely, and he is near you on your bed. We have Toffee buried under the garden seat, with a brass plaque with her name and details on; at the moment her little grave is covered in spring flowers. Our much loved precious little ones have touched our hearts, given us unconditional love and we mourn their loss; it is hard, and I send you my love and share your sadness. Bless you xx Penny

Dear Penny.... Thankyou so much for your kind words... Meant a great deal to me...Thanks too for sharing with me about your cat Toffee.... You too have set up a lovely memorial too... I love to think that our precious departed pets are all togerher, with their Maker....in a beautiful, happy place, where we will all meet again some day...
I can fully understand how you are still grieving, and not yet ready for another cat... As I said in my previous post, my own lovely tabby, Kerry, is nearly 15.... She is very healthy and sprightly for her age...but I know it will be so so hard when her little life hete with me comes to an end one day.... As I type, she is curled up beside me.... She sends you whiskery kisses to warm your heart...
Thanks again for your very kind words...
Love and blessings...
Irene

Dear Irene, First of all thank you for the whiskery kisses from Kerry. She sounds adorable; they are so sensitive aren't they and I'm sure understand our ups and downs. I have been thinking of you and sharing the feelings you have for your precious Charlie. Have you lots of photos of him ? We have photos of Toffee all around and it is lovely to look at her beautiful face wherever I go in the house. The Ralph Site is wonderful for all of us to share our grief and be comforted and helped by special people. I have made a lovely friend called Caroline; we both lost our cats within a few months of one another, and are going to meet up in the summer. I am always here for you Irene if you want to talk; I completely understand your feelings and send you love and hugs. Your precious Charlie is running free at Rainbow Bridge free from pain and as you say with all our departed pets together with their Maker . xxxx Penny

Dear Irene, First of all thank you for the whiskery kisses from Kerry. She sounds adorable; they are so sensitive aren't they and I'm sure understand our ups and downs. I have been thinking of you and sharing the feelings you have for your precious Charlie. Have you lots of photos of him ? We have photos of Toffee all around and it is lovely to look at her beautiful face wherever I go in the house. The Ralph Site is wonderful for all of us to share our grief and be comforted and helped by special people. I have made a lovely friend called Caroline; we both lost our cats within a few months of one another, and are going to meet up in the summer. I am always here for you Irene if you want to talk; I completely understand your feelings and send you love and hugs. Your precious Charlie is running free at Rainbow Bridge free from pain and as you say with all our departed pets together with their Maker . xxxx Penny

Hi again Penny - thanks so much for your lovely reply ! Yes, I do indeed have many beautiful photos of my Charlie. If you are able for it, have a look at the memorials page here on the Ralph site. Look up Buzzby....He was another of my little piggies, who I have lost...My lovely Charlie was amazing the day Buzzby died...do have a look at the photo of them, and the little story with it...It's sad, but so touching...
Like you, I have made some new facebook friends, and Shailen,, have been and everyone on the Ralph site, have been so supportive....Its wonderful to be in contact with so many like-minded people !
I will look you up now on facebook, if thats's ok, and send you a friend request. You are more than welcome to look at all the photos I have up there of my past/present pets...Lovely ones of my Kerry too... I am glad you have photos of Toffee around your house....It does help....
Thanks again for all your kindness...I look forward to chatting more with you on f/b..
Take care.....Irene..xxx

Hi Irene, I will have a look at your photos and also look at little Buzzby. Look forward to being your friend and chatting on facebook. It's a comfort talking to lovely people like you who love animals, and cherish the memories of our precious little pets we have lost. We can all support one another through these sad and difficult times with love and understanding. Lovely to hear from you, and look forward to chatting. Take care, Penny xxx

Hi Irene and Penny, So sorry to hear about the death of your pets, it doesn't seem to matter how long they have been at Rainbow Bridge, we still miss them so much, and it doesn't matter what type of pet they are, we all get them for a reason, because we all have love to give, some people have loads of kids, other people dedicate their lives to animals. I am a firm believer that all our pets go to Rainbow Bridge and are waiting for us. My first pet died 18 years ago last week, and have lost one every 6years, and I see them in my minds eye everyday. Like you I have photos of all my boys, and when I pass their lovely pictures I talk to them. My last boy died in July and I felt that I just couldn't have another pet, we had rescued Charlie from the Dogs Trust and we took a bench through in his memory and lo and behold my husband cast eyes on a lovely wee boy who was 8 years old and we booked him and brought him home the next day, we are his eighth home, and don't know why as he is a lovely wee boy, but are glad no one else wanted him. Like you I have my Charlie's ashes in my bedroom, usually I scatter them at a place they loved, but he was attached to me, so he will be put in my coffin when I go and we will be together, I also took a lock of his hair, and my darling husband bought me a locket and I put his hair in that so I have him with me everyday. Give your lovely cat a big hug. Aileen x