Well, it has been two years since I lost my beloved Biz.

It has not been easy at times, as I remember her and especially her last days on Earth. But, I'm so thankful she is out of any pain or suffering. There's too much of that in the world today, both in the animal AND the human kingdoms.

I would like to encourage those of you still grieving the loss of your beloveds -- or who are currently going through a very difficult and painful walk with your beloved who is ill -- that you will, someday, be able to come out on the "other side" where the pain you feel over your loss is less than the great memories you have together. It can happen! It is possible. Please tuck that away in the back of your heart and hold on to that hope of a better day.

For me, I have bonded with my "kitty buddy," Zadie, whom we got from an animal shelter about 3 months after Biz died. Zadie is similar to Biz in some ways, but, of course, different in wonderful ways. We still also have our older cat, Zach, who gets pounced on by Zadie from time to time.

For me, Biz will always be so very special. But my heart has healed enough to let Zadie come fully in with a bond that is precious and one that I wistfully think, from time to time, that will be lost to death one day. Either her death, or mine. I know I shouldn't dwell on that day of separation from Zadie, but it's always there, and I always wonder in the back of my mind if I'll have to struggle with Zadie (or Zach) like I struggled with Biz's sickness. We shall see. Until then, I'll keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of my faith and know that He will be with me, even until the end of the age (mine, Zadie's and Zach's).