In Memory of Elizabeth 1982 to November 28, 2000 We will miss you.

 

The Rainbow Bridge 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, 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 each 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. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run 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 the Rainbow Bridge together... Author Unknown

Elizabeth came to us on a cold December Friday in 1983. She was a stray, perhaps abandoned by some heartless person, and was about one year old. Deborah took her in for the night and was going to take her to the Humane Society the next day. Instead, Deborah decided to name this skinny little cat Elizabeth. John, who was out of town for the weekend, came home on the following Monday to see the cat that he did not want and had been told about over the telephone. He put Elizabeth on probation until January 1.

Elizabeth survived her probationary period and took over the Gardner home. She snuck into the hearts of Deborah and John and many of their friends. On Christmas Eve, she would join the party by laying on the back of the recliner close to the fireplace. She greeted friends when they came to visit. In the summer, she would sit out on the deck sunning herself. In her younger years, she was tied to a brick so that she wouldn't go over the fence. In later years, she wandered the yard and would usually wind up on the deck sleeping in the sun, often near the bird feeder with birds feeding and a squirrel under the feeder.

Ask our friends about the time we saw her walking along the top of the fence. By the time we got to her she had jumped over the fence and a merry chase ensued. She was lured home with food. Then there were the times that she disappeared during a party when the gate was left open. We would sleep downstairs with the door open waiting for her return.

Elizabeth was a great mouser. She would sit by the garage door with her eyes on a little hole that mice could make it through. It seemed she had infinite patience and it often paid off. More than once Elizabeth tried to come into the house with a mouse in her mouth. Many mornings we would find a dead mouse in the garage. The mice finally stopped coming around.

It was with great sadness that we finally let Elizabeth go. We will miss her for many years to come. She was a bright little spot in our lives for 17 years.
 
 

What people who knew her said.

"She was a good cat."  Vince Gonzales	"I always liked Elizabeth." Sue Vanderover
"She got along with her cousin, Jess." Judith and Rich Wingate	"Elizabeth was a very special cat. When I was there she often would jump on my lap to be petted, I miss that." Gene Gonzales
"I most remember her just watching all the party activity whenever we were there. Also when [Deborah] and I were there alone chatting she seemed to be a part of the conversation and pondering what we were talking about." Sharon Lewis

See pictures of Elizabeth by clicking here.

Thank you to David Griffiths for the Lake Effect Java applet. The URL I downloaded this from is no longer valid so I cannot provide a link.