Sunday, November 18, 2012

Time To Say Goodbye

Bernie joined our family on April 29, 2008 to be Mr Brown's new companion. Mr Brown was unconsolable after his companion, Manny passed away just a week before. He barely ate and would have died of a broken heart. He was overjoyed when he saw Bernie but Bernie was terrified and hid under the cage and Curly kept him company
The next day, Mr Brown convinced Bernie that he wasn't about to eat him and that he would take good care of him. And they ended up good friends. Sadly, Mr Brown passed away on November 20, 2011
Bernie : HEY! Why did you wake me up from my nap?
Bernie : OHHHHHHH. Banana! Me likey!
Bernie : I can smell you, Tutu!
Bernie : Pffffffttttt. You're NOT getting any of MY banana!
Tutu really eats bananas
Bernie : It's time for me to join my pal, Mr Brown. Until we all meet again on the Rainbow Bridge, enjoy a banana on my behalf!
Bernie has been through one health issue after another but he has never let it get him down. He lost his sight to cataracts at just 3 years young, then he had to have his left foot amputated on May 25, 2012. In October, he started dragging his remaining hind foot and chewed off his nails (just like with his amputated foot). About a week ago, I discovered a huge hard lump next to his right eye. But we kept going because he never stopped loving his food, even on the same night his foot was amputated. He's an amazing, brave boy!

Bernie, hubby and I had a little chat and Bernie told us that when he stopped eating, that would be the sign he was ready. Meanwhile, we were to spoil him rotten and give him his favorite bananas and veggies. He stopped eating his pellets on Saturday. Sunday afternoon I gave him a veggie leaf and he only managed a bite or two. His drooling had also increased. It was time.

Monday morning (we are around 12 hours ahead of most of our friends in America), I will bring him to the vet to help him cross the Rainbow Bridge...unless a miracle happens tonight and he starts eating again! Do keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a smooth transition.

66 comments:

Brian's Home Blog said...

I am so very sorry to hear about dear sweet Bernie. We send gentle purrs to you sweet Bernie and I wish you happy hopping at the Bridge. Hugs to Mom and Dad from all of us.

Unknown said...

We are sorry and we remember when Bernies' foot was amputated. We send healing paw and much love. Paws crossed.
Best wishes Molly

The Monkeys said...

We are all very sad to hear about Bernie and we will send many purrs to you and Bernie.

The only ones among us who enjoy bananas are Delilah and Mommy, so they will share a banana for Bernie. The rest of us will purr and purr.

Cats Herd You said...

We're very sorry to hear about Bernie. We are purring for you and will keep you in our thoughts.

The Island Cats said...

Oh, we are so sorry to hear about Bernie. We are purring for him....and all of you...and hope his journey to the bridge will be peaceful.

Mollie said...

Oh, we are so sorry to hear about Bernie..We are sending you are pawrayers for a miricle. Sometimes,however hard we have to let them go. Love and hugs to you all. xx00xx

Mollie and Alfie

Quill and Greyson said...

We are so sorry to hear this news. Such a sweet little bunny. I send my hugs to you and Quill send his purrs.

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

What a wonderful life Bernie had, and how blessed you both were for your meeting. Bernie could not have asked or dreamed of anything better.

Safe Journeys Bernie. While your people will be sad it is only because they loved you so.

Katnip Lounge said...

Farewell Bernie, until we see you again. we're sending purrs and {{hugs}} to your peeps and fur family.

Love from all of us at the Lounge

Hannah and Lucy said...

We are so sorry to hear that Bernie is going to make his journey to Rainbow Bridge tomorrow but it is the kindest thing you could ever do. Take care - we are thinking of you all.
Luv Hannah and Lucy + Mum Sue xx xx xx

meowmeowmans said...

Oh, we are so very sorry to hear that sweet Bernie must run off to the Bridge. Thank you for loving his so much, and so well. Fly free, Bernie. You will always be loved.

Purrs and prayers.

haopee said...

Oh my gosh, Bernie. I am sorry mom. It is sad but I know Bernie will be in a happier place where he can see and hop in super speed. We will pray for whatever's best.

God bless your little soul, Big Bernie.

Were you able to drop by the Card Exchange in Jazzi's blog... Unfortunately, it's already ended. No worries, we will email you so we can exchange cards.

Huggies and Cheese,

Haopee

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

So sorry to hear about sweet Bernie :(
Fly free, Bernie. You will always be loved.
XOXO

Layla Morgan Wilde ( Cat Wisdom 101) said...

Sending Universal love & light to Bernie for a smooth transition to the Rainbow Bridge.

Fuzzy Tales said...

We just saw this posted on Marg's blog and came to say how sad we are that it's Bernie's time to cross. We purr and purray for a quick, gentle, merciful and peaceful crossing, and send you all universal Light and Love.

Marg said...

Well Bernie, you know I am sad. This post made me cry even more. We know though that Mom is doing the right thing, and pretty soon, you won't be hurting any more. We sure will miss you and have loved knowing you.
Big hugs to you Cathy. We are so sorry and will be thinking about you, Thanks for all these wonderful pictures of Bernie. Take care.

Little Miss Titch said...

Run free Bernie over the rainbow bridge,but have a peaceful cross,we will see you again.
nose bonks and snuggles from Speedy and hugs from his mum

Cat-from-Sydney said...

God speed Bernie, you will be missed. Say hi to Tom and Ralf if you meet them on the bridge. ((((HUGS))))) purrrr...meow!

Sandra said...

I am so sorry Bernie is no longer able to eat. But if this is the sign you all agreed on, than you should help him reunite with Mr. Brown. Sending lots of purrs.

Katie Isabella said...

Mom and I sent you an email about sweet Bernie. We are very sad that he decided to go join Mr Brown now but we know we will all meet again. Love and hugs to you Cathy. XXXOOO

brokenteepee said...

Oh I am so sorry. They do let you know, don't they? He will be all hoppy again at the Bridge with his friend. Goat hugs from here.

www.shelter-cats.com said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Bernie. He's had a rough time and letting him go is the loving choice, but it's still so hard.
Sending sympathy and purrs,
Maggie

Random Felines said...

we are so sorry to hear about Bernie going to the Bridge. We know he will be well met....and how very much he was loved. purrs.....

A Tonk's Tail said...

oh Bernie - we are so very very sorry to hear this sad news. We know your humans love you very much and will listen to yoru requests and will place your needs first, always.

If you decide it's time to go to the RB, then we'll help yoru humans down here with comforting purrs....

Tamago said...

Oh Bernie..we are so sorry to read this. We love your cute cheek and admire how brave you are.
Even if you decide it's time to join Mr Brown, we know it's extremely hard for your family who love you so much. We will be thinking about you and sending warm thoughts and hugs.

Pretinha said...

That decision more difficult, I am very sad, I know it is not easy.

Anonymous said...

We are thinking of you tonight. Sending good vibes to you.

Annie Bear said...

Cathy, I'm so sorry. I just love Bernie. He's such a trooper and his love for bananas is so precious. I'm not sure if it's Monday morning yet there but I'm going to pray for you & hubby & Bernie. I wish I could give you a hug and a pat to Bernie.

CATachresis said...

It sounds like Bernie had a wonderful life with a lot of loving! Sending hugs and purrs xox

Avalon's Garden and Mewsings of Garden Cottage Cats said...

Oh No! We are so furry sorry to hear about Sweet Bernie, we will miss you so much. We know life haz been tough fur a little bunny like you, and we know your mommeh luvz you furry much!! You are a furry Brave boy! ^..^ we will send Loud Purrayerz fur a Safe Journey for you Bernie, and Soft Puurz & Kissiez fur your mommeh becauze we know she will be heartbroken :((
Till we meet again.......

Safe Journey Bernie~

*Hugs* from Mom Angel,
I'm so Sorry~
I know how hard it is when one of our babies leaves us....... :((

Anonymous said...

We are so sorry to hear about Bernie. We are sending lots of thoughts, prayers and hugs your way.

Mariodacat said...

Aww, what a darling bunny. We're so very sorry for your loss. What great pictures you have of him to remember all the fun times with him.

Dachshund Nola said...

I'm so sorry. Hugs to you
Nola

BeadedTail said...

We're so sorry to hear about Bernie. He's in our thoughts and prayers as he journeys to the Bridge. Hugs and purrs to you too.

Oui Oui said...

We are purring for poor, sweet Bernie and all his family left behind. We hope you are comforted by knowing he had a great home with lots of loved ones. Purrs, sweet furriends!

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Sending big purrs and purrayers for you, Bernie and efurrybody.

Unknown said...

We is so sorry about Bernie. Pets are like angels, they light up our lives with their love and affection.Bernie will always be in your heart!
Kisses
Nellie

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Aw, we are so sorry. Poor little fella! We're sending our hugs and purrs.

Gigi said...

Sending you purrs and love from me and the Human. You gave Bernie a wonderful life with you and the other furries. If it's your time, then Godspeed, sweet bunny ~ Mr. Brown will be waiting for you! XOXOXO

Cory said...

Peaceful travels across the Bridge, my furriend.

purrrs,

Cory

Lívia Fernanda (I/O Gatos) said...

This is really sad, but when there is no options, maybe help them in this way would be the best thing to do! They live so little, I had a hamster who lived only 1 year, and I never more brought any rodent, I felt so much her death!!

I know Bernie had a good time with the furries, and I hope he will be very happy in the heaven of the animals!!

Peace in your heart!

Anonymous said...

Hey it's Jet here.

We are so sorry to make your acquaintance via Miss Marg, at this sad time.

We send you Jetty kisses and JJ hugs of support. You are brave and compassionate. We hope that our sweet Fluffy, who crossed in August will meet Bernie *OTRB* and keep him company during his crossing. Fluff is very chatty and sweet as pie, so he would be a wonderful companion.

Kay said...

So sorry to hear that. Take care & purrs from Snoopy

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Our hearts are breaking for your precious Bernie ((((hugs))) you are in our thoughts

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

So sorry ~ what a brave boy. Thank you for loving him so much. xx

Callie (a.k.a. Trouble) said...

Bernie is in our prayers. I am sure that he appreciates the love it took to let him go when it was time.

Remington said...

I am sorry to hear this....so sad....take care, my friend....

Marilia said...

So very sorry!

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

We are very sorry to read about Bernie. He went through quite a lot!

Colehaus Cats said...

Sweetes Bernie. We are sorry to hear you had to go. Have a great time catching up with your buddy, Mr. Brown. Until we all meet again....Purrs...

Petronela said...

That is sooo sad, I am so sorry for your loss...It's sooo hard to experience the loss of a furry friend...You did the right thing helping him to let go of the suffering..Oh My I truly hope I shall be able to do the same when time comes :(.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that the time has come for Bernie to cross the bridge. I know that he has been a very lucky bunny to have such a wonderful family to love and care for him. And now he can run and play and eat all he wants across the bridge and be with Mr. Brown again.

I hope that you all will be okay without him; I think that can be the hardest part...

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Oh we are so sorry to hear about Bernie. Our furry friends let us know when it's their time, don't they. We of course are never ever ready. But we will keep all of you in our prayers.
xoxoxo

Cat Tee Mission said...

I'm so so sorry :(
xx

ZOOLATRY said...

Farewell little Bernie ...

Kat said...

We are so sorry for your loss and are sending comfort to you as you go through this sad time :'(

~CovertOperations78~ said...

When I read this the first time, I just couldn't stop crying. I have come back to send my love and prayers to Bernie and all of you. We shall meet Bernie again at the Rainbow Bridge. Those are some really precious photos of Bernie you have there.

Clooney said...

What a trooper and a sweetheart dear little Bernie was. We send you our gentlest purrs and thoughts of love at this very sad time. We hope Bernie gets tons of bananas at the Bridge and is re-united with his special pal Mr. Brown.

Be Well Sweet Bernie

Oskar said...

We are so sorry for your loss.

Prayers & hugs,
Oskar & Pam

Gigi said...

Hi furries, It is Thanksgiving here in the US of A, and we are thankful for all of YOU, yes, even you Boomie (well, sort of). You are wonderful furiends.

We are sending you some more purrs and love as you say good-bye to sweet Bernie--I bet he was thankful he had such a wonderful home with his loving family. XOXOXOXO

yuki and rocket said...

this is so sad, it's amazing what an appetite he had even with everything he went through. he will be in our thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry I am so late. Hop free Bernie. You have lots of furiends on the other side of the Bridge.

Hugs and love,
The Roo Family

Fr. Tom Fish said...

Sweet, brave Bernie! We just heard the news and we are sad for you all, sweet friends.

Bernie, be happy at the Bridge and have fun with our angels there, Trapper, Tom #1, Vinny, Bentley (a cousin).

Hugs and comfort,
Tom, Mom Julie, Mitty, Tinker & Anastasia

Gigi said...

Hello sweet furiends! We miss you and hope you'll soon be back XOXOXOXO

Purrfect Haven said...

feeling sad and sending you love. A beautiful post and a tribute. Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx

Anonymous said...

You know when they tell you it is time...and you heard Bernie..and he is well now and has all four footsies and is running and hopping all over the Bridge with Mr Brown and all the other bunnies. Paw pats, Savannah