It has taken me a week to be able to post this.  Our dear little CeeCee had to be put to sleep last week.  She was DH's kitty and with him gone this was a bit hard.  DS was also devastated since, in Daddy's absence, he had become the human of choice.

We adopted CeeCee 13 months ago from a rescue shelter.  She was already 10 years old and had been at this shelter for 2 years.  She was really traumatized.  When DS and I volunteered there last year we couldn't stand to leave her.  She pretty much stayed in one or two corners of the cat room.  She couldn't walk well or really at all.  We knew bringing her home that her time on this earth was limited but we wanted to love her and give her happy times for her time left.  We were able to do that.  She had significant arthritis but by this summer was walking with a funny little walk, but walking.  By this fall she was coming for pets and brushings.  By Christmas, she was getting on the couch beside me at night.  So we did what we said we would do.  We gave her happiness and she knew she was loved.

I know there are many others who are facing much greater trials than this but for our little animal-loving family this is quite a loss.  I would like to share some thoughts and Scripture a dear minister and friend of our family shared with me to help with DS's grief.   It was special that DS was able to be a part of the decision-making and be with her as she left this world.  A difficult lesson but one that is a part of the sinful world we live in and one I am glad I was able to be there to walk with DS through.  My prayer is that these may bring comfort to the other animal lovers out there.

"We must remember the Bible was written for the salvation of humanity, not of animals.  Humans sinned and brought the wrath of God, not the animals.  Sin came through us.  The animals are like innocent by-standers (Romans 5:12)  In Psalm 145:-9-10,13,15-21  God loves all His creation and has made plans for all His children and the lesser creatures to enjoy His eternal Kingdom."

"Romans 8:19 says that the lesser creatures await Christ's return to redeem the sons of God so they, too, will be released from physical death to eternal life."

"Romans 8:21-22 says 'Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.'"

LUKE 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" (NKJ) 

ACTS 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (KJV)  

REV. 21:5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (KJV)  

ECCLESIASTES 3:18 I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals”. (NKJV) 

ECCLESIASTES 3:19-20 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath, man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return. (NIV)  

PSALM 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O LORD. (NRSV) 

REVELATION 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
   "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
   be praise and honor and glory and power,
         for ever and ever!"