


Judy and I were with Simba yesterday until the end. The wonderful care and kindness of Grove Veterinarians in Newport was beautiful. We felt at peace when kitty passed. He was with us for almost 20 years. We held him and cuddled him in a blanket until he was safely over the Rainbow Bridge. Simba will be in our hearts forever ♥
Simba came to us yesterday morning as we were having breakfast. He sat at his favorite spot by the window in the kitchen.
He could barely jump up on the chair to look out the window as he did each day. I opened the window so he could breathe in the fresh air and watch for his friends, as he has done for so many years…
Simba stared and looked at his back yard, he so loved for the longest time. We didn’t say a word, just watched him. We thought about our life together as a family.
Simba was thinking the same, I know. We both felt and heard him speak to us from his soul with so much love…
Finally, after what seemed like a timeless pause, Simba turned around and looked at us with those penetrating loving eyes. As always, everyday for 20 years, he showed love and kindness in his heart like no living being we have ever known…
Then, Simba gingerly put his paws over the chair. He looked down, probably wondering if he could jump to the floor like he always did with vigor and excitement to get on with his day, just like everyday…
Simba walked slowly over between us like he always did, but it was different this time. He looked sad, but serious this time…
Simba looked up at us and thought, “I know you both love me very much. But I’m old and tired. I can’t hold my food down any more.”
“Please,” he said sadly, but with love in his heart, “it’s time for me to walk over the Rainbow Bridge. I want to be with my brother, Skai, again. It’s time, Pops ‘n Mom. I know you both Iove me. I love you so much too.”
So we retreated to our favorite couch in the living room. We both sat there silently, looked at each other and cried….
Simba, we called him Kitty too, followed us as he always did to the couch. We have a foot rest he uses these days to get up between us on the couch like he always did…
Kitty went to Mom first, like he always does. She held and cuddled him for awhile. Then, he came to me like he always did. We cuddled and hugged for the longest time…
Later in the day, after spending our last day at home as a family, we left home with Simba for the last time. Judy held him closely in a cozy blanket. He seemed at peace with love and kindness in his eyes, like he always did…
Simba is with his brother, Skai, now, somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge. They both look down at us with love and kindness in their hearts, as they always did…
Simba and Skai, will be in our hearts forever. We love them both, and miss them so…

Children and Families in Life After Trauma