Just this side of Heaven, is a place called Rainbow Bridge...
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
THEN YOU CROSS RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER...
Bear 
Jackson
Bear, you were the strong one, built like a tank. You were Sean’s favorite, he loved you from the first moment he saw you. You were always there in the morning for your carrots and you would hog the water bottle and fight the others off the tube.
Jackson, I remember you as the sweet little boy with the turned up nose. My wife fell in love with that little nose and we had to take you home that day. You grew into a beautiful piggie with long flowing hair that turned up in the front like Elvis. You loved scratches under the chin and rubs behind the ears more than anyone.
Boys, I am so sorry. I love you both and we will all miss you terribly. Your friend Chaco misses you, but we will take good care of him for you.
Say hi to Big Al, Fluffy and Patches and we will see you soon.
Love Steve, Sue, the kids and all the piggies.
Florinda was our "naughty girl". When she was young her hair went everywhere, but her spirit and spunk was amazing. She would stare down the dogs and cats and wrestle with the dogs for her carrots. She would lay on her back in our arms, and fall asleep just so peacefully. She knew her name and would look us right in the eyes when you talked to her. She was remarkable!!
Florinda is now over the bridge, where everything is beautiful and the dandelions are plentiful. Her husband Big Al was waiting for her when she got there, he adored her and left us first. Their friend Patches is there to play with. We can close our eyes and see them popcorning in the greens. We know that we will see Florinda, Big A I and Patches again someday, but until then we will keep them in our memory. We miss Florinda, and we love her so!!
Steve, Sue and the Piggies
We love you Bigness.
Steve, Sue, all the kids
Your wife Florinda and the rest of the piggies
This past week Abe started slowing down and losing weight. He didn't suffer and after we had him checked and knew it was his age we coddled him. On his last night he was fidgety when I fed him. I checked him an hour later and he had passed away peacefully and without suffering. His piggie friends were with him to send him to the Bridge.
Abe, take care! We loved you and were amazed by you. Have fun at the Bridge with all your friends and we will see you someday.
Steve, Sue, all the kids
and the rest of the piggies
(Florence Margiegale, RN)
Margie died on September 4th after a battle with an infection and some other complications. We thought she would make it. Margie was nursing her cagemate the week before because he got sick first. She laid with him while he was sick and did not leave his side. When Margie got sick he laid vigil by her and would not leave her until she died. We tried everything to save her, but it was not meant to be.
Margie was a wild one. We never could get her long beautiful hair to lay right. She was very spunky and demanding for her food. We grew to deeply appreciate her feistiness during the last two weeks when she put up such a valiant struggle. We now miss her terribly!!
Margie, I hope you are now well and happy at the Bridge. Please say hi to all your friends who got there before you. We will take good care of Eddie for you and see you again someday.
Steve, Sue, all the kids
and the rest of the piggies
Mattie was one of our first piggies and was married to Melvin (on our Herd page). The people at my office were so enamored of the piggies that they had a wedding for them and made Mattie a wedding gown and Melvin a tux. They were so cute. Mattie and Melvin went on to have one litter before Melvin was fixed. We still have their four kids and they are beautiful and strong piggies. Mattie was a great mom and was the only mother I ever saw who positioned herself near the water and food so she could nurse, eat and drink at the same time.
Mattie was big, bold and bodacious. She was loud and clear about anything she wanted. She would come to the front of the cage every morning for her carrot and greens and would not shut up until she got them. Mattie was also a beautiful piggie, with a very regal face and piercing eyes. Her look is unforgettable.
Mattie tended to Melvin all the time. Melvin is now almost 5 years old and has bad arthritis. Mattie would clean his ears and eyes, lick him and generally make sure he was OK. Their bond was intense and since she died Melvin has had a hard time. Mattie fought with no one but tolerated no stuff from anyone, often peeing in Melvin's face when she wasn't in the mood.
Mattie recently had ovarian cysts that had to be removed. The surgery went great and she was on the mend. We thought all was well. But on the moring of the 4th I woke to find Mattie in big trouble and despite heroics by the vet she died. We miss her so much, the room is so quiet. We thought she had more time with us but I guess not. We weren't ready for her to leave. I cry as I write this even though days have passed. We love you Mattie and we know you are well. It doesn't mean that we don't miss you and wish you were still here.
Say hi to everyone before you. You and Fluffy can harass everyone together now. Let Big Al know how Melvin is doing, they were so close. And wait for us, because someday we will be there too. I MISS YOU!!!!!!
Love
Steve, Sue the kids and everyone here.
Last night we had to say goodbye the to "Godfather" of all our piggies, Melvin. Melvin was a prince; gentle, sweet, determined and demure. He was Matilda's mate and the father of 4 beautiful piggies who are now 3 years old.
Melvin was my favorite, and I was his. When I came home from work he would greet me and get all excited. I would sing songs to him when he had to take medicine and he would purr like a kitten.
Melvin had a tough life. He contracted pneumonia when he was younger and had to take medicine for a long time. He was our first piggie to receive a pneumonia vaccination and led the way for everyone else. He tolerated all the vet visits and they too fell in love with him.
Recently Mel had been struggling with bad arthritis in his rear legs. He learned to take "spa visits". He would sit in a foot bath with the warm water running on his legs. He would then come out and run all over the floor. He loved his treatments.
Mel, be happy. You are again with your mate and I'm sure Matilda was there waiting for you at the Bridge. Be healthy again, run and play like when you were a little boy. Big Al is there, but you can't fit under his hair anymore. Know that we love you, we always will. We will see you when we get to the Bridge, and will never be separated again. In the meantime your loss will leave a hole in my heart and your life will leave a smile on my face. You were a gift to us, thank you for sharing your love with all of us.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!!!!
Steve, Sue the kids and all your friends
Sally
March 2000-February 4, 2006
Sally was a beautiful piggie. We met her at a show 5 years ago. She looked up at me and said take me home. I couldn't resist. Sally was very sweet and very attached to her cagemate Max. They were always together and slept in their little house side by side every night. When she was young we mated her once with Max and she had two beautiful little boys. However we vowed never to breed any guinea pigs again and neutered Max.
Sally was lazy. She enjoyed nothing else but to sit around all day. However she seemed to enjoy her floor time with the other piggies!
Sally was one of the "Grand Dames" of our group. She will be missed by all of us, but especially Max, who is having a really hard time. She is up at the Bridge hob-nobbing with her old friends and waiting until the day we can hold her again.
HAVE FUN SALLY! WE LOVE YOU!!!
Rosie
2000-February 7, 2006
Rosie was one of first rescues. She and her friend Ginger were dropped off by someone who didn't want to take care of them anymore. Both were skinny and used to fight all the time over their food. However this passed as they became secure with us and they ended up staying.
Rosie was a clown. She was spunky, in your face and always looking for attention. She was bold and beautiful. She and Ginger settled into a peaceful co-existence together until late last year when Ginger passed away. Rosie then lived with a new friend whom she accepted with open paws. Rosie was feisty until the end and fought to live. I held her in my arms as she passed away, and she left with dignity. I hope she is happy at the Bridge now that she is stirring trouble up there.
LOVE YOU ROSIE! BE GOOD!
Ginger
2000-Fall 2005
Ginger was a pistol. She arrived as a rescue with Rosie and after settling down became inseparable. Ginger hated to be picked up and would scream when you tried. She did like to be held and was held a lot. Ginger was more of a loner with other piggies. My guess is that she was not well treated at her first home. We grew to love her and she grew to trust us, and she was a darling until her last day.
Now she and Rosie are together again at the Bridge. They will enjoy each others company I am sure. We will see her again some day!!
LOVE YOU GINGER-DON'T GIVE ROSIE A HARD TIME!!
Jenny
2000-January 2006
Jenny was our first rescue. She was majestic and so friendly we couldn't give her up. She gave kisses on command and was a great partner for Harris, who she lived with for years. Jenny aged gracefully, but a little over a year before she died she had a near fatal bladder illness that she miraculously survived. Later she developed a tumor on her spleen and survived a splenectomy. Jenny was strong with an unshakable will to live. She finally grew tired in Jan and passes away in our arms.
For us Jenny will always be the symbol of the will that these guinea pigs have to live and not give up. We called her our "Miracle Piggy" and I hope God has taken good care of her. See you later!!
LOVE TO YOU FROM ALL OF US YOU LEFT BEHIND!!
Harris
April 2001- March 2006
Harris was one of three Himalayan babies born to Belle, their mom. He was a magnificent guinea pig, truly beautiful. It was so cute to watch him race around the cage while his girlfriend Jenny just watched in curiosity. He was strong and brave and lived life to the very end. He struggles with Adrenal Gland problems and took medicine for a very long time.
Harris and his brothers would sleep in a hammock when they were younger. They would just replace each other when one got tired. Harris got very depressed when his cagemate Jenny died, I think he lost the will to go on.
Harris, we loved you and will miss you!!
Sweetie
February 2005 - May 2, 2006
Sweetie was the most amazing piggie we have ever met. She came to us at about 3 months old, having been treated for 2 months for a nearly fatal pneumonia and ear infection. She was found in a pet shop cage on her side nearly dead and after her treatments we took her in to help care for her. I took her to the vet the day she came to us, she was so weak and thin that he thought she wouldn't last a week. She fought for her life and lived for a good year after she came to us.
Sweetie had such a will to live we called her a "miracle pig" Newspapers in Albuquerque wrote articles about her. Sweetie's illness tested all of our knowledge. She required routine nebulization, medication and at times an oxygen cage. But she really loved life. She would come when you called her name and would point her head straight up to see you. She loved to be cuddled and would dance around the cage waiting to be picked up. No one was immune to her charms and in her year she made more people friends than any other piggie.
We found Sweetie dead in her cage after a particularly difficult breathing episode. I cried like a baby, I loved her and was bonded to her more than I ever expected to be. We all still miss her "Sweetie Dance" whenever we walked into the house. She filled our home with joy and energy, and our life will never be the same!!!
Sweetie, I know you are at the bridge, finally whole and unburdened by your body. Enjoy your time there, you deserve it you were such a doll. Find all your friends and frolic in the dandelions. We will see you again when we get there and will be together forever!!!
"LIPS"
May 2005 - July 2006
Soft pink kissable "lips".
Fleece blankie, chin snuggling, carrots and the mission to steal the pop tart
when no one was "looking". Dancing to Avril Lavign and squeaking a happy hello
when we walked in the door. YOU're the bomb baby!!! Our special girl, our
heart...We love you Lips and miss you horribly. Until we meet again, "with
treats in hand and hugs galore", run free and happy with your friends baby.
You're always with us :)
Butterscotch
September 2001-August 2006
You brave girl. We rescued you in California from a horrible situation and you were already carrying your daughter. I can remember your beautiful eyes that sought us out to take you home. You were a peaceful soul, and soon after gave birth to your daughter Harriet. You were a great mom, and lived with her the rest of your life.
I remember when we found out you had kidney failure over a year ago. We thought you would leave us quickly, but with medical help stayed with us until a few days ago. Until the very end you were spunky, friendly and always lovable. You stayed with your daughter Harriet and even protected her when she got sick. We love you so much, but know that you are finally free of your illness and are back to your beautiful self. Have fun up there, eat your dandelions and say hi to the others. We will see you again someday.
Harriet
August 2002-August 2006
Harriet, you were too young. I wish we knew what was wrong, but we didn't. I remember when you were born and would nurse from your mom. You were so big you would blow up and out like a little balloon. You were always very independent, except towards your mom. When Butterscotch got sick you would sit next to her for hours, guarding her and keeping her warm. When you got sick a few weeks ago, I got to learn what a special piggie you were. But it was clear that your mom's death was hard to take and I know you wanted to go with her. You made your choice and we will miss you very much. You were so lucky, you were born here and lived with your mom all your life. I know you are with her now.
Be well my wonderful friend, you should only know the hole you left. But we will see you again.
Patches
December 2000-September 2006
Patches, you are the first of the "Royal Children" to pass over the bridge. Your parents Melvin and Mattie were piggie royalty and had 4 amazing children. We remember you when you were just a little handful, born that December morning along with your 2 brothers and sister. You were always the shyer one, and was always in the middle of your brothers. You were gentle and never bothered any of the other piggies. You used to love to be outside and graze on the grass.
Over a year ago you were diagnosed with cancer and we thought we would quickly lose you. You got skinnier but never really slowed down until the very end. We always worried you were in pain, but you ate and drank and ran around until the day you died. You blessed us with over a year more of your life, and we were happy for all we got. Last week you woke up and felt too tired to go on. You fought a brave fight, but we did not want you to suffer for us. You finally went home to your mom and dad, where you could be whole again. We were happy for that.
Patches, we will miss you oh so much. You brought joy into our lives. Say hi to Mel and Mattie, your folks and know that we will be together again later.
Love from all of us and your brothers and sister.
Cloudy
December 2000-October 2006
Cloudy, you seemed to lose life after Patches died. You were always the big, strong one and everyone leaned on you. You were part of the "Royal Family" and looked so much like your father Melvin. You died so suddenly, and we are still not sure why. But you had a full and wonderful life, and know that you were always beloved. Even a month later we still cry when we think of you. Have fun, take care of Patches and say hi to mom and dad. We love you!!!
From your adopted family and your brother Snowy and sister Brownie.
Potter
March 2002-October 2006
Majestic Potter, you were one of a kind. A multi state Guinea Pig champion, and a beautiful sweet piggy. Wow, were you large!! I remember meeting you for the first time and had to bring you home to live with us. You were too proud to have babies, so you lived with your girls in platonic bliss. You had a great life, only on your last day did you decide not to eat. You died that afternoon. Many people will miss you, you were remembered by everyone who met you. Your girls Blossom and Petunia miss you also. Keep your dignity, you earned it!
Love from all of us and all the piggies, the cage is very empty without you.
Cupcake
October 2000-October 2006
I'm not alone, I really believe....You never go, you never leave....Here and now, you always stay...."I love you" could not be said a better way.
Cupcake, you had three families and we all love you. You were a very special lady and we miss you dearly.
