A Loving Farewell to a Cherished & Unique Feline Family Member, Purrci
BrightHaven President & Founder Gail Pope shares a heartfelt farewell to a cherished and unique feline family member, Purrci.
“The 13th of July 2023 was a BrightHaven red letter day as it was the day that our dog Ziggy invited Purrci [Purr-see] to join our lives. A little overview may help set the stage.
Our adored golden retriever Rosie (brought into the family originally by Ziggy too), had recently transitioned after a beautiful hospice journey. Equally adored Italian greyhound Ziggy was approaching his own end of life, and we were visiting our vet hospital that lives up to its name of “Wise and Wonderful.”
At the same time Richard, my beloved husband of 60 years, was also just weeks away from his own journey beyond this world.
I like to believe that Mother Nature stepped in that day at the vet’s office. Ziggy and a rather beautiful but strange-looking orange and white cat, with his tail stuck up in the air, went man to man, licking each other’s face gently and lovingly. I was then informed that the cat, named Purrci, had lived at the clinic for around 12-13 years after a nasty car accident had rendered him badly injured and homeless.
I was also told that, now in his golden years, Purrci remained unadoptable because his bladder and bowels did not function properly and needed to be manually expressed every day. Plus he had nerve damage and neurological issues… I had dealt with these same issues many times while caring for animals at BrightHaven.
For two short years Purrci filled my heart with love and joy, and he helped me through the deaths of both Ziggy and Richard. He was a gorgeous, quirky, charismatic, sometimes mischievous, loving and charming being who lived inside a very handsome fur-body.
Purrci remained by my side both day and night until the 22nd of August 2025 at 2:06 pm, when we were parted by his own death, caused by sudden and complicated kidney damage.
In longstanding BrightHaven tradition, Purrci lay in state, watched over by the dragonfly for transformation and light, the magical power of the unicorn, rose quartz crystals, members of the teddy bear brigade and other mementos of his life and times.
I am left to wonder why, why, why Purrci had to leave so soon. Did destiny call him again? Was it simply his time? Will we meet again? All questions left unanswered for now, but I do know that we will be forever connected by that magical heart-to-heart silver cord. Travel safely, Purrci.”
And my deepest thanks to Jeff Levy, DVM, Purrci’s veterinary homeopath and my close friend, who was, as always, there for us day and night, whenever help was needed.”
ANIMAL WISDOM FOR LIVING WELL!
In a time of so much change and chaos, with old ways of being and doing undeniably falling away, animals can show us a much better and more authentic way to live. Find out what they’d like to share in GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. (Authors: Gail Pope, BrightHaven President and Founder; Carol Howe Hulse, BrightHaven Education Program Manager)
How Purrci Found Us
Handsome Purrci
Purrci Pope
And so, adopted by Ziggy, Purrci came home to love and care for me once Ziggy passed on just a short time later. Certain destiny. Let’s talk about that quirky tail, which always brought a smile to my face! After his accident, it became completely rigid, upright and fused to his spine. And it bent a few inches from the tip. Unfortunately, the tail snapped and hung limply one day, requiring a delicate surgery that left him with a 4-inch stub. It turned out that shorter tail was somewhat easier to deal with in daily life for us all!
For two short years Purrci filled my heart with love and joy, and he helped me through the deaths of both Ziggy and Richard. He was a gorgeous, quirky, charismatic, sometimes mischievous, loving and charming being who lived inside a very handsome fur-body.
Purrci remained by my side both day and night until the 22nd of August 2025 at 2:06 pm, when we were parted by his own death, caused by sudden and complicated kidney damage.
Purrci lying in state
Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with their heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation. —Rumi
In Appreciation
Also from Gail: “My undying gratitude goes to my family members Kirstie, Dave and Emma. They supported us and held vigil with me until Purrci stepped out of his body. I’m also grateful to dear friend Ann Kaplan for her frequent visits to offer laser and craniosacral therapy to Purrci and his canine brothers Andy and Ollie. My heartfelt thanks also to Alan Power-Lum, DVM, and his wonderful team, especially Purrci’s ‘clinic mother’ Megan La Fever, at the Wise and Wonderful Integrative Veterinary Center in Santa Rosa, CA.
And my deepest thanks to Jeff Levy, DVM, Purrci’s veterinary homeopath and my close friend, who was, as always, there for us day and night, whenever help was needed.”
BrightHaven Caregiver Resources to Help Your Animal Live Well Each and Every Day!
ANIMAL WISDOM FOR LIVING WELL!
In a time of so much change and chaos, with old ways of being and doing undeniably falling away, animals can show us a much better and more authentic way to live. Find out what they’d like to share in GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. (Authors: Gail Pope, BrightHaven President and Founder; Carol Howe Hulse, BrightHaven Education Program Manager)
Gail & Joey
(Photo by in joy photography)
- Do you have questions about how BrightHaven’s holistic healing or animal hospice care approaches can help your animal? Do you wish to discuss end-of-life concerns and options? We invite you to book a consultation for experienced and compassionate support.
- Follow Your Heart: Navigating a Terminal Diagnosis – helps you walk this often-challenging path with a deeper sense of peace, confidence and clarity. (Author: Gail Pope)
- The BrightHaven Guide to Animal Hospice – learn how to care for your animal companions in their Golden Years and through the end of life. (Author: Gail Pope)
- Soar My Butterfly: The Animal Dying Experience – a simple guide to the signs and symptoms you may encounter during the final stages of the natural dying process. (Author: Gail Pope)
- BrightHaven Online Learning – help your loved one live the best life possible each and every day! We share what we’ve learned about holistic healing, animal hospice and living and dying well by following the wisdom of the animals since 1990.
Carol & Silver
(Photo by Beth Shields)
- Walking with My Dog Through (End of) Life – an intimate look at a profound life passage, from terminal diagnosis through hospice care and a peaceful, gentle natural death. (Author: Carol Howe Hulse)