Remembering Rosie and Filling In Fill-Ins

I'm going to begin this post by honoring my sweet angel Rosie, who flew to the Rainbow Bridge six years ago today.

Every year, I ponder what to post in my dear Rosie's honor. She was my best friend, my pride and joy, as well as the main reason I felt compelled to start this blog of ours. A couple years ago, I finally found some words that more or less explain how I want to remember my Rosie every year on the anniversary of her journey to the Rainbow Bridge. So, I'm now going to re-post what I have said over the last couple of years.

Rosie was by my side for 21 years, from the time I was 4 years old until soon after my 26th birthday. She was my companion through nearly every milestone in my life up to that point. This is certainly one major reason why the day I lost her was the worst day of my life thus far.

That all being said, as devastating as it was to lose her, I simply cannot forget the countless beautiful, happy, and funny memories Rosie gifted me. I would never and could never wish those memories away. That's why, when I think of Rosie, I always do all that I can to refrain from feeling sadness. Instead, at the thought of her, I try to go into my reservoir of memories and find ones that bring me joy. And let me tell you, there are many, many, many of those! What's more, I'm certain Rosie would not want the thought of her to bring me sadness.

It's difficult not to feel some semblance of melancholy when thinking of a lost loved one. But, in honor of the companionship, love, and countless memories that she gave me, I always try to remember Rosie with nothing but a smile. After all, for 21 years, she made me smile each and every day. She will always be my ray of sunshine in this world.

I love you, my Rosie, forever and always!

The above image was created a couple years ago by the ever so talented Ann of Zoolatry. I don't know if there is an image I cherish more than this one. I have never enjoyed having my photo taken, and the only regret that brings me is that I do not have many photos of myself with my furbabies. However, I am beyond grateful that my mom once snapped a candid shot of me kissing my sweet Rosie on the head. Ann then spruced up that photo to create the beautiful image above. I cannot express how grateful I am to have this image to help me forever remember the bond Rosie and I shared.

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And now we'll get to the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. If you think this sounds like fun, please do join us! My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. My day is not complete until I _________.

2. It is time to _________.

3. _________ made me change my mind about _________.

4. I simply refuse to _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. My day is not complete until I have sufficiently cuddled every furbaby in the house.
(Actually, my day isn't complete until I cuddle every furbaby in my immediate family. Since my parents live just down the street from me, I go to their house pretty much every day to see their kitties. I cuddle them, and I cuddle all the kitties and the pup at my house, and only then is my day complete. I've been this way since I was a kid, and I'll never be ashamed to admit the attachment issues I have with the animals in my life.)

2. It is time to do a bit of spring cleaning.
(When spring rolled around, I actually felt inspired to do some decluttering and deep cleaning. So, I've been working on that in the evenings after work and on weekends for the past couple of weeks. Sometimes I actually enjoy cleaning. Other times I have to force myself to do it.)

3. Getting older made me change my mind about what I want to be when I grow up.
(After much deliberation as a teenager, I went to college for a degree in the field of science, and now I work in the field of science. The older I get, the more I appreciate my creative hobbies, and now I realize how I much I think I'd more so enjoy a creative career. Art and writing are two of my favorite hobbies, and if I could turn one or both of those into a career, I would not complain one bit.) 

4. I simply refuse to live a life without animals.

(Ever since I was a child I've had cats, dogs, and a variety of other animals in my life. I would never have it any other way.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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Now, of course, it's time for your Eddy fix. She's coming at you from a strange sort of angle today, but at least it lets you get a decent view of her adorable snaggletooth.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day:

Today, we're taking a bit of a break from our parasite prevention tips in order to share a tip in honor of my sweet angel Rosie. Today's tip will offer some ideas on how you might be able to memorialize your Rainbow Bridge angels. Everyone has their own way of grieving and their own thoughts on memorials. Below are just some ideas that some may wish to use, while others may opt for other memorial options.

To begin, you can simply yet effectively memorialize your angel by displaying photos of them. You can even set up a little memorial corner or other area in your home, specifically for maintaining a memorial for your Rainbow Bridge angel. Whether or not you display it in a specific memorial area, you can also display your angel's clay paw, if you have one. You can also select a special urn for their remains, if you opted to keep their cremated remains.

Another option is to have customized portraits or other artwork painted or otherwise created for your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can have such artwork created based on your favorite photo of your angel, for example. Another option is to have custom jewelry created, using your Rainbow Bridge angel's image or name. Whether you wear such jewelry or put it on display, it can make for a lovely, unique memorial item.

If you can and want to, you can also create your own art or craft in honor of your angel. Whether this be a drawing, collage, or anything in between, this can help you feel closer to your angel. Or, you can write something in honor of your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can write a letter to them, write a poem for them, or simply write down any and all memories that you share with them. This is yet another way that you can honor and feel close to your angel, and you can choose to display or store away your personalized memorial items.

If you have a yard or garden where this is possible, you can also plant a tree or flower in honor of your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can also place a memorial plaque or statue for them in your yard or garden, or even inside your home. In the case where you can and do bury your furbaby in your yard, you can also select grave markers, including customized ones, to mark their resting place in a special way.

Yet another potential way to memorialize your Rainbow Bridge angel is to make some sort of donation to a shelter or rescue, such as the one from which they were adopted. Donations can be monetary, or in the form of food, toys, or even your time. Other donations you can make include those to the cause for a cure, such as in the case that your angel passed away from or suffered from a particular disease.

The options for memorializing Rainbow Bridge angels are endless. Everyone grieves and honors lost loved ones in their own way, and that is more than fine. If you wish to memorialize your angel, simply think of what ways might feel best to you, and then pursue those options.