Cat Poem

They will not go quietly,
the cats who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think
we hear a meow at the door.
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them. . . and always will.

- Linda Barnes

Dicey

Our very beautiful boy Dicey has passed away . He had just spent a very short time here with us at the sanctuary. Sadly his owner had become terminally ill and could no longer look after Dicey and so Dicey came to live with us to be loved and cared for. He was just settling in to enjoy life with Walter, Bella and the rest of his new friends when unfortunately he took a turn for the worse. Dicey was twelve years of
age and had a very long and fulfilling life.

Despite our vets best efforts to cure him, he passed away peacefully. We all miss him but he is now with all our pals over 'rainbow bridge'

A tribute to Monty

Standing on the windswept beach on Irelands East Coast during the week before Christmas, with the little wooden box containing your remains – my mind went back to all the times you had so enjoyed your run on the same sand, and how you would charge away from the waves if even a tiny drop of water got on your paws – you really were quite a coward behind all the bravado. I would have to ensure we were well enough away from “friendly” people as anyone offering a hand of friendship was liable to be minus a digit before they even realized – so my unending call to the humans you might reach before I did, was – “He bites, don’t touch him” – mostly they took that on board but there was the occasional one who choose not to listen, knowing better, in their own estimations – and recoiled in horror when you snarled and snapped – silly humans, and to their cries of “he snapped at me” I would reply – “what part of – “he bites don’t touch him” didn’t you understand” – that said – you would run and play, interact with other dogs all quite happily – once you were ignored and I was always a couple of steps away for you to safely return behind my legs if you felt threatened.

In the almost four years we were together, you calmed down considerably and learned to trust me and a few selective people, all female – trust to the extent that we could put on your collar and lead and put down your food – a rub around the head, on your terms, was all you could tolerate physically but you seemed happy and content and knew every word I said to you, every invitation issued and every instruction given and you responded accordingly, like a very well trained dog should.

As an old chap you required quite a lot of vet care and my local care team were marvellous as you were not the most civil of patients, but they had
a way, a way that eventually you realized was not really too threatening and you allowed whatever procedure was required, with a certain amount
of candid snarling – but we managed, and when I came back to collect you, I was invariably welcomed like I was the best thing since the sliced
pan – and in your eyes I was.

Your ongoing medication, disguised in whatever tiny delicacy I could muster up seemed to keep you going, but then in September, I went for a few days holidays and left you in the care of the vets practise, where you were always so well looked after and so absolutely understood and appreciated for the contrary and damaged little creature you really were. But - you went downhill quite unexpectedly, over a few days, nobody could believe your rapid
decline, and I came home to very sad faces having to tell me that you were very very ill. The underlying cause of your decline presumed sinister.

I asked if I could take you for a stroll to access what should be done next, but poor baby, you were unable to give me your usual excited “Welcome back” and had hardly an ounce of energy – but your sad eyes said it all – I knew you were saying – “I’m tired – let me go” and reluctantly I made the decision, that yes – it was your time to leave this world.

The vet gave you an injection, just to calm you down totally and for the first time in our relationship I could hold you on my knee, crying into your soft
white fur, and rubbing your tiny body, consoling you that everything would be all right, and assuring you that you were safe.

Monty you had to leave, and took indeed, a little of my heart with you. You were one of the greatest challenges
of my life and I still wonder at what mishandling had you been subjected to for so many years before we met to affect your whole demeanour so devastatingly. We got used to one another and I admired your tenacity so much, I admired
the fact that you allowed yourself, through abject fear of humans, to trust again, but always sparingly. We understood each other and had such happy times, running on beaches – you – not me – walking in the mountains, in the Phoenix Park and on Tara – where you were absolutely terrified of the sheep – that used to make me laugh so much. You enjoyed your food and the little treats I kept for you – I need never come home from a dinner date without a small wrapped “something” in tinfoil – and you would sit so beautifully and wait while I cut up a minuscule piece of steak
or chicken for you – yes, you were a little bit spoiled, but Oh! -so so appreciative.

On that cold December day I looked out at Irelands Eye and Lambay, scattered you on the turning tide and wondered where you now resided, knowing you were out of pain and free again, but this time, without the chattels of fear and anxiety, free to run and romp and be happy and know – all humans are not bad, in fact the majority of us, given half
a chance, are really OK – I hope you know that now.

Little fellow, you taught me to love unconditionally, initially without much return, you taught me to “speak” and “think” in a dog sense, you let me into your very closed canine world and eventually you emerged somewhat – into my world and we made a good team, based on mutual respect and plenty of quiet space. You will be missed by more then you will ever know – all your admirers and well wishers from the Galway SPCA who always kept in touch and were so pleased at your happy progress, all the vets and staff at Active Vetcare Dunshaughlin, who genuinely gave of their all to keep you happy and pain free – and not always with your responding in a kindly manner towards them – but they too made allowances for you, the neighbours children who knew they could call and play with you but never never to touch you – they too felt they had lost a little friend and for many it was their first experience of loss, Eilish & Maureen at my office and in particular Margaret who, every Friday you waited for and went off happily in the back of her car, knowing as soon as you reached home she would have hot cooked chicken for you – yes little fellow we all miss you but thanks for the memories –

Shalom small friend.

Little Rod

Sadly our little boy passed over in his sleep very quietly and un-expectedly and to the sadness of all his pals 2 and 4 legged. He was a happy go lucky character who came to us as a kitten full of flu, but he pulled through it and was hale and hearty so the Suddeness of of passing caught us all as he was full of the joys of Spring . His party piece was sitting on your shoulder as you went around and he just loved it. Little Rod we miss you and talk of you often.

Sweet Oliver

Our beautiful dog Oliver passed away after a sudden illness, despite our vets best efforts he could not be saved. He was a beautiful dog and had a wonderful time at the sanctuary with all his friends with whom he loved to play with and have fun every day. His pals were Walti, Thomas, Hetty, Lass, Gwen. His passing has been a terrible shock to all, and he is very much missed by all in the sanctuary. We know he is now with Maxi, Bran, Monty and the rest of our motley crew over rainbow bridge, watch over us lads we miss you all.

Goodbye special lady

A special girl has gone to 'rainbow bridge' after a very full ,active ,action filled fourteen years. Billie we are all sad that you have left us, and we miss you dearly but we know that you are now well and happy and restored to the beautiful lady you were and are. The joy and stories about you will live on in our hearts and you will never be forgotten by all who loved you. Say hello to Sheba, Charlie mind them and have lots of fun, and when you meet up with Sam , Bran, Maxi and all the rest say hello from us all, and watch over us here . Sweet dreams little lady your were and always will be a very special lady.

Goodbye little man

This is little Punch who only spent a few days with us before suddenly passing over 'rainbow bridge' to meet up with Bran and Maxi. Even though he got to spend only a few days, he packed in a lifetime of fun and games with his new pals Wallace and Gromit so even though we are sad at his passing we are glad he enjoyed a few days of fun , friendship and love from all his two and four legged friends in the sanctuary. Goodbye little man

For those of you who met Maxi on visits to the sanctuary, it is with sadness we now tell you our girl has passed over 'rainbow bridge'.

Maxi was a golden labrador and fell asleep two weeks ago after eating her breakfast Maxi as always her had her priorities right. Maxi loved her daily stroll around the fields in the sanctuary. Her passing has been a big blow to staff and volunteers who loved her dearly. Her time was not that long but she enjoyed all the things in life a dog should enjoy and she had her own gang of pals she went walking and playing with pals like Walter, Bran, Alex, Shy. We know that when she crossed 'rainbow bridge' her pal Bran was their to greet her and show her around. So goodbye old girl mind Bran and have lots of fun chasing clouds.

it is with sadness that we tell you our longest resident and favourite of all who worked in the sanctuary Bran has passed over rainbow bridge.

Sadly poor Bran suffered a stroke and passed away but he did not suffer and that is something we are happy about. Bran lived with us in total happiness and much love for nearly eight years and saw a lot of comings and goings in the sanctuary. To Bran quite simply Heathlawn was home and it was a home he loved even if he had to 'put up' with them cats as he would say. We shall miss him and his smiling face as he greeted everyone and the place will be different, but he is now in a good place meeting all his pals who have gone before him and I'm sure telling them lots of stories about his exploits in Heathlawn.

From us all Bran good bye , watch over us all both two and four legged until we meet again.