Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 2025 Blog Hop by Zee & Zoey and Purr Prints of the Heart
At 5:15 a.m., the bedroom was dark, and when I put my foot on the floor to slide on my carefully laid sandals from the night before, I felt something soft and squishy. Yes, of course, there was a hairball in my right sandal, courtesy of my precious ginger cat, Jazmine, that was now embedded between my toes. Lovely. I was getting up, as I do 365 days a year, to feed my feline gang, including Jazmine and my six other cats – Zoey, Mia, Peanut, Rolz, Kizmet, and Shadow. It’s an ordeal. First, before I’ve even had coffee or the chance to wake up fully, I scoop three litter boxes. If I’m lucky, I don’t have to scoop again, but often as soon as I scoop, one of them will go again, meaning, back to scooping. Not to mention the litter that is kicked outside the box, which I have to sweep up…
Preparing breakfast is a foggy whirlwind. Each cat has specific dietary needs, and while I’m getting everything ready, they are meow-screaming at me the whole time. As the house is quiet, naturally, the sound level is amplified to a piercing level and on a continuous loop. One would think they’ve never been fed… After that, there’s cleanup, which is not just washing their feeding bowls and changing water, but typically one of them will throw up from eating too fast, which means more cleaning for me. Several of them will use the litter box again, so that means more scooping. Generally, when all is said and done, it takes between 30 and 45 minutes before I’m done with the process and can blessedly drink my first cup of coffee.
Click on the image to enlarge to see the cat math!
Rinse and repeat. They have a small lunch around noon, dinner around 5:00 p.m., and a smaller snack meal around 8:30 p.m. I find that feeding them several small meals throughout the day, rather than a big breakfast and dinner, works best for their digestion and well-being, but it does require a lot of effort from me, although these meals are slightly less complicated than breakfast. There are treats, too—usually at least twice a day. Then, aside from feeding and endless litter scooping, there is also grooming, administering meds, playtime, and more. I’m genuinely exhausted by the end of the day, but despite all this, I am not sharing my day because I’m complaining. I’m sharing because I’m grateful to be doing it. Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, a day I founded in 2015 in tribute to my precious Ragdoll cat, Mr. Jazz, whom I had to say goodbye to on August 28, 2013.
The day was created for people to share memories of pets they loved and lost, but never forgotten. What wouldn’t I give to feed Mr. Jazz again, or scoop his litter, or brush his fur? I miss him dearly. I miss all my angels – especially those that were such a strong part of the Zee/Zoey gang – Mr. Jazz, Harley, and Zee. Remembering them gives me even more reason to be grateful for what I have in my life now, as I know my time with them is fleeting.
My beautiful angels – Zee, Harley, and Mr. Jazz
I give all of you who have loved and lost a beloved companion my deepest sympathy and support. Every day is a day to remember them, but consider today, and an extra-special hug from me to you.
xoxox
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, whom 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 pets they had loved and lost.
Logo designed by Deborah Barnes
I miss my Tylan. I would give anything to have to give him his meds and sub-q fluids and chase him around with his dinner again. He was such a sweet boy. He loved everyone as much as they loved him I swear he never met a stranger—cat or human!
Tylan was such a love and we all enjoyed meeting him through your blog and social media posts.
Thank you for hosting this Deb – the ache of loss is always there even amidst my many fond memories.
Yes, Create With Joy, the ache of loss does remain, but we can be grateful for the love and time we had with them.
A lovely post of remembrance. I miss all my cats, but Eric and Flynn the most. Maybe because we took them at the young age of 5 1/2 weeks to save them from a marauding tom cat who was killing kittens, and also knowing they wouldn’t live long at the farm with no close contact. Cats were lucky to get past a year old there. The pain of loss never goes, but you learn to live with it, and there are always happy memories to remember.
Eric and Flynn were quite special, holding a dear spot in the hearts of all who knew them.
Beautiful post. We miss our Angels too.
Love and purrs to you, Florida Furkids.
A beautiful remembrance post, Deb. Thank you for creating this day for all our little sweetheart pets who have left us.
Thank you for stopping by, Leah. Love and purrs…
We did not post today, having felt that we’d post about our two angels so often now … but your story of a day with those who still fill your life with love ~ from dawn to dusk, enthralled me. It is so true that this is not a duty but a privilege, a joy, an honor. It is giving. Thank you for sharing this … and it also made me smile. There are times when I’d so rather grab that cup of coffee … but no, it doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t happen, does it.
I completely understand, Ann. Thank you for stopping by and for finding this post enthralling. It just felt right for today. Peace and purrs to you.
I miss my angel kitties every minute of every day.
My heart is with you.
What a great Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day post! I so miss my beloved FiveSibes, but appreciate all the moments – including the “icky” ones – as they were all the days I was so blessed to have them as part of my family. Your current kitties (love the cat math!) and all of your furangels are beautiful. Thank you for hosting today’s special blog hop. ❤️
Thank you for stopping by, Dorothy. I once had a Siberian Husky (Miko) and still miss her, too. I’m glad you enjoyed my cat math – it was fun to figure it out!
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day has been a gift to all who have loved and lost furry companions. My most recent loss was in January of Asher Elvis Pawsley (a Blue Persian) after having enjoyed 15 years of his adorable and feisty presence. As Helen Keller included in the 1957 book “The Open Door” : “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” Thank-YOU for another lovely post. P.S. Upon finding this post amidst my inbox it reminded me that I had neglected to order more of your official T-shirts before today. Benjamin’s has become a wee bit snug and others had requested their own. A quick visit to the Zazzle shop remedied that error and a pleasant surprise, they are having a 20% off sale too!!
I must correct myself due to proofreading after posting : Elvis Asher Pawsley but always just called Asher!
Correction noted!
Ellen – I always enjoy hearing from you and love the Helen Keller quote. Thank you also for appreciating the T-shirt. I am happy knowing that Benjamin treasures his.
Having lived with cats since forever, there are many up there watchin’ along with my human and other loved ones. They are always in my heart, soul, Prayers, and thoughts, and sometimes fond memories pierce my heart, but they also bring great joy at the love shared. So many never know love. We have known it always!
So very true, jmuhj. I wish they all could know love. Wouldn’t that be the most wonderful thing in the world?
My seven angels, (6 ‘meezers’ and one dog) are all missed so very much. I always feel a pang when my phone decides to show them to me at random. Of course mostly only Pipo, Minko and MrJackreckles were known to all my blogging friends…but I miss all their quirks and purrsonalities.
Thanks for a special day to remember them all.
We know that pang well… Love and purrs to you.
So many beautiful Angels and what a movement you started Deb.
Thank you, Brian. It truly is astounding. When I see the outpouring of love, compassion, and support that circulates worldwide, I sometimes can’t believe it’s happening…
I am grateful to be serving my cats that many times a day too. 🙂 XO
Yes, Ellen, you do have a lot of service to be grateful for! xoxo
May their memories bring comfort and blessing. Thank you for creating this day for all of us to stop and remember.
Thank you for your kind works, Messymimi. Love and purrs.
Thank you for this beautiful post, Deb. Your love and the special bond you had with Mr. Jazz are so powerful. Just look at the movement they have engendered! XO