A Love Letter to Zee for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2022 and Blog Hop

My Dearest Zee,

While it is true, I can now walk into the kitchen and see your empty food dish on the counter next to the seven others and not break into tears as I had been, remembering the 3 times daily ritual I would feed you from it, it does not mean my heart doesn’t skip a beat, missing you being a part of it.

You always had the sweetest, most trusting look in your eyes.

Your sweet face. Those precious, trusting eyes, looking up at me while I prepared your meal that required both pills and a specially formulated diet. You are gone, but not from my heart. Not from my memory, and I miss you so, so much since we had to say goodbyes to you on March 18, 2022. But now, for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, I wanted to write a love letter to you, to share my thoughts and let you know just how special you are to me. But there they are, the floodgate of tears as I dare open my heart even the tiniest bit, to put the words on paper.

You’re gone and it still hurts so very much not to hear that sweet meow of yours, chattering away in a conversation with Dan or me as you follow us around, insistent on being a part of what we’re doing. Sure, as you got older and started your decline in health, the following around was not nearly as constant, but you still wanted to be near us. Especially at night when we’d sit on the couch to watch TV, or when I’d finally go to bed. You’d jump off the couch and eagerly trot by my side to join me, only then to juggle back and forth all night between Dan and me as to whose head you’d be sleeping on top of because you loved us both so much and wanted to make sure you were fair with your attention.

The couch was one of your favorite hangout spots, probably because you could see where everyone in the house was from that vantage point.

There are so many memories and so many things I miss. After all, you were with us for nearly seventeen years so that’s a lot of reminiscing. There are far too many moments to list, but some of my favorites began when we first brought you home as a kitten. You had such an independent and curious streak in you, refusing to be the cuddly lap cat we thought you would be.

You helped us with a major home renovation, and then, a couple of years later, we brought another furry house guest into the house – our Bengal, Zoey, and it was love at first sight for you. You towered over her, but instantly she was in charge of the relationship, and you reveled in it. So much so that a litter of kittens resulted. We didn’t know about spay/neuter back then like we do now, and honestly after she had the kittens, you were NOT thrilled.

Moments after Zoey captured your heart, the two of you were inseparable.

Can cats pout? It would seem so. This was you after the kittens were born.

They upset your applecart, but you grew to love them. Your precious daughters, Mia and Peanut, and your son, Rolz – all of who adored you from day one, even if they initially annoyed you. As time went by, they would rally around you, and rarely were you ever without one, two, or all of them nestled by your side. Zoey, too. She remained deeply devoted to you. Really, anyone that knew you, loved you. Whether feline, canine, friends, family or even random company that would drop by. You made a mark on everyone. But of course, you did. You were a charming, intelligent, inquisitive, friendly, and charismatic cat. It was impossible not to love you. Even those self-proclaimed, “I’m not a cat person,” people were charmed by your appeal.

Mia and Zoey – leaving not even an inch to spare, wanting to be close to you!

And all your wonderful personality traits – bringing us endless plush toys at night, your “catch” proudly presented as gifts to us. There was even a time you dragged in a stuffed teddy bear that was twice your size, dropping it at my feet to get my attention. You also would play hide and seek which I loved. I’d run from room to room, hiding behind corners and you’d always come running to find me.

A small sampling of the many gifts (and the teddy bear) you would bring to us.

Sure, there were also moments of naughtiness. The time you knocked a full bottle of bright pink grenadine from the kitchen counter, comes to mind. It fell and broke into a million smithereens on the floor because you were upset we were outside hosting an evening get-together without you. You’ve also broken candlesticks from the mantel and even broken the ceramic lid to the guestroom toilet in quest of a lizard outside the window. But the family would always joke about those incidents, saying Zee could never do wrong. And they were right, we never could get upset with you, because you were Zee and utterly perfect to us.  

My darling boy, I pray you are at peace. Your last days on this earth were probably difficult for you. I know they were difficult for us, knowing the inevitable to come. Bone cancer is cruel. But we did the best we could to give you the most beautiful last day ever. We also gave you the gift of dignity, so you did not have to prolong your pain as your body began its rapid deterioration before our very eyes.

One last precious time outside in your beloved tropical yard. It was our last gift to you, to let you enjoy one of your favorite things.

The indent of your body and spirit remains in my heart, as well as on the couch, the counter, our bed, outside in your beloved yard, and everywhere else because you were such a huge part of this home, and your mark is indelible. I love you, Zee.

Until we meet again,

Purrs, hugs, and love from your human mom.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for letting me share it with you for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. Initially, I struggled with it. The pain of missing Zee hit me deeply in the gut and I wasn’t sure I could finish writing. But then something happened. Yes, it was still painful, causing me to cry as I typed words. But somehow my tears became tears of happiness. Certainly not because I was happy I had lost my precious cat, but because that precious cat gave me so many wonderful memories to remember. How could I ever think it would be possible to bury my head to forget, so as not to feel the pain? Zee was a significant part of my life, my heart, my home, and my world.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is a special day dedicated to honoring the memories of those beloved pets in our lives we have loved and lost but never forgotten. Whether a pet with fur, fin, feathers, scales, or something else – one pet, or many – this day was created for you to honor that pet in any way that feels most comfortable to you. Post a picture, write a poem, share a favorite memory, host a memorial event, upload a video, or write a special blog post and share the link.

ABOUT RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY:
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day was founded in 2015 by Deborah Barnes, award-winning author, and blogger of Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles in tribute to her Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, who she had to say goodbyes to on August 28, 2013. She shared the journey of letting him go in her critically acclaimed book, Purr Prints of – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond, and decided to create the day in his honor as a way for others across the world to share memories of their own pets they had loved and lost.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day logos designed by Deb Barnes



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  1. Such a beautiful letter to Zee. I also had tears reading it. I still have tears for Flynn most days even though it is now more than 5 years. I will never stop missing that beautiful kittenish face.

  2. Charles Huss says:

    That was a beautiful letter. It is amazing how pets can touch our souls so deeply.

  3. Deb that was beyond beautiful. The memories are priceless! I so understand writing and not being able to finish due to tears flowing. Zee was the crux of your entire family (of course along with Zoey)…..a monumental loss. Your tribute/letter was purrfect. Sending love and hugs as you remember.

  4. Leah says:

    A meaningful tribute to Zee and to the experiences you shared, Deb. I know it was difficult to write as I too am missing so many, for so long. Purrs and hugs from the kitties and me.

  5. Beautiful post and a lovely tribute to your sweet boy. Thank you for coming up with this day so we can all remember our beloved furbabies no longer with us. XO

  6. Jan Angel-Milo and Alfie's mom) says:

    A beautiful heartfelt post, expressing palpable love. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

  7. A beautiful tribute that really show your love for your sweet boy.

  8. Catscue says:

    What a beautiful remembrence of such an amazing kitty. Hugs.

  9. jmuhj says:

    For me, the end of August is not only a time of some joy (Autumn on the way, and two birthdays of loved ones to remember) but also of great sorrow (the anniversaries of the passing of two loved ones, and this year, the passing of our beloved angel Suha still very much in our minds). There have been so MANY passings over my life that one day isn’t sufficient.

    What a beautiful communication with your beloved Zee! He is watching over his family here on earth, and you will all be reunited in due time, as will I with my loved ones.

  10. So much love. Eternally xo

  11. Purrs as you remember your handsome Zee on this day of remembrance. You can feel the love in your letter.

  12. Brian Frum says:

    That was such a beautiful and heartfelt letter, I do understand that pain. I’ve never been able to do a remembrance post, I get too sad and weepy so I’ve given up trying. Thanks for hosting such a special day.

  13. We are always glad to remember the cats we all love and miss. There is no finer tribute than yours.

  14. This is absolutely beautiful, Deb. Thank you for creating this special day.

  15. meowmeowmans says:

    This is such a beautiful tribute to your beloved Zee, Deb. Thank you for sharing it with us, and for creating this special day to remember our beloved friends who have left this plane, but who remain forever in our hearts.

  16. Jo Singer says:

    Such love, such joy and what come with these gifts is a wicked sadness that can seem that it will never end when our beloveds fly over the Rainbow Bridge. We yearn to reunite with them and we will. It’s people like you Deb that eases our pain with the amazing heart you have so filled with love that you share like a golden light. Thank you!

  17. Zoolatry says:

    Another beautiful and thoughtful Remembrance Day, and we thank you for continuing this wonderful tradition. I am so sorry that I was unable to post and be part of it this year, due to the fact that I was traveling. Yet my heart was with you, and all others as they remembered those loved and lost. May they all forever rest well.

  18. Pam says:

    What an amazingly beautiful letter. Zee looks so sweet. Ramona, from Create with Joy told me about this Remembrance Day because our precious Sunny (16 year old Yorkie) left us forever this past Wednesday. At my last blog post (Thursday Favorite Things from September 8), I shared the news about Sunny and a collage of some photos of her. I don’t feel emotionally ready to write a blog post, and may never be, but Sunny was just an absolute joy of a dog. I have several posts about her at my blog. She had been a breeder dog in a puppy mill until she was 4 years old, and then she came to us through a rescue organization. She blossomed from a timid little girl into a joyful, incredibly loving, beautiful family member. I can’t believe she’s gone. Thank you for this remembrance day.

    • Deb says:

      Thank you so much for stopping by, Pam, and for your kind words regarding my Zee. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet Sunny. She certainly was a special girl and how wonderful to have had her in your life.