A Gentle Rest

17/03/2026

🍌 Chiquita 🍌
Chiquita, Chix, Chiquita Banana, the Banana she answered to them all until 3/07/26 at 11:45am when she went over the Rainbow Bridge.
Fifteen years after she first came home to me in Buffalo, NY, looking like a miniature pit bull puppy; still on formula and needing her tooshie wiped to go potty. She was spunky, inquisitive and too cute for her own good! I was scared I would lose this tiny being in the
house because she was so small, fitting in the palm of my hand.
She loved going for walks on a “sniffari” sniffing everything there was to smell. There are no sidewalks so she would walk along the top of the curbing. Chiquita loved visitors because they brought new smells and I think she had her favorite folks.
Late last summer Chiquita started having some issues with life. She couldn’t jump as high and couldn’t always get on the bed. The walks were shorter, and she would walk in circles in the house. The vet said she was having “cognitive decline” and arthritis in her
lower back and hips. A few weeks ago, she just wasn’t the same happy dog she had always been. I woke up every time she moved at night and checked on her. Chiquita had a wonderful day on March 6th. She was eating, relaxing and seemed almost like herself. I think she knew she was going to be set free from the pain soon. The next day she met Dr. Ashley who was so gentle with her. We went and sat in our chair and with her on my lap stroking that white stripe of fur, she went over the Rainbow Bridge. The house is so quiet, and the bubbly energy is gone. She took a piece of my heart with
her, and I miss her more than words can even explain. Till we meet again at the gates of the Rainbow Bridge, play in the sunshine my little Banana and know that you are still
loved and missed so much.

11/03/2026

💕Theo💕
I first met Theo at the SPCA's holiday windows at Macy's in downtown San Francisco. I wasn't sure yet if I was ready to adopt yet after losing my previous cat a few months earlier, but I stopped by to admire the kittens in the windows, then ventured inside to the backstage adoption center, where more kittens waited in cages. One guy stood out for me, a tabby with a distinctive white ring around his neck (I would come to call it his scarf), and bright, curious eyes. When they brought him out to meet me, he spent the next 20 minutes bouncing around the room, chasing the wand I'd borrowed, and pouncing on everything in sight (including a couple of the volunteers). But eventually he settled down on my lap, stretched out and went to sleep, and that's when I knew.

He was a bundle of energy, tearing around the apartment, bouncing off the walls, playing with his toys. But eventually he would settle down, and then he would bring that same intensity to loving me with all his heart. There was no place he'd rather be than my lap, where he would purr contentedly for hours. He was always at the door to welcome me home when I got home from work, and would roll ecstatically on the floor while soaking up pets and head and belly rubs. And when I went to bed at the end of the day, he'd snuggle right next to me for the night.

When he wasn't on my lap, he loved to look out the window at trees and birds, or go outside on the landing for fresh air and sunshine (where he was a hit with the neighbors), or join me in sharing some chicken or turkey. But most of all, he loved visits from his other human Claire, which were always a special occasion for him.

By the time he started having health issues, I was retired and again could focus on him and give him all the attention he wanted and needed; our close bond grew even closer. As his health declined, the time came to let him go, but he had a good last day filled with his favorite activities and surrounded by his loved ones. He will be missed beyond measure.

04/03/2026

I first met Theo at the SPCA's holiday windows at Macy's in downtown San Francisco. I wasn't sure yet if I was ready to adopt yet after losing my previous cat a few months earlier, but I stopped by to admire the kittens in the windows, then ventured inside to the backstage adoption center, where more kittens waited in cages. One guy stood out for me, a tabby with a distinctive white ring around his neck (I would come to call it his scarf), and bright, curious eyes. When they brought him out to meet me, he spent the next 20 minutes bouncing around the room, chasing the wand I'd borrowed, and pouncing on everything in sight (including a couple of the volunteers). But eventually he settled down on my lap, stretched out and went to sleep, and that's when I knew.

Once he was home with me, that first encounter turned out to have been prophetic, and set the pattern for our life together. He was a bundle of energy, tearing around the apartment, bouncing off the walls, playing with his toys. But eventually he would settle down, and then he would bring that same intensity to loving me with all his heart. There was no place he'd rather be than my lap, where he would purr contentedly for hours. He was always at the door to welcome me home when I got home from work and would roll ecstatically on the floor while soaking up pets and head and belly rubs. And when I went to bed at the end of the day, he'd snuggle right next to me for the night.

When he wasn't on my lap, he loved to look out the window at trees and birds or go outside on the landing for fresh air and sunshine (where he was a hit with the neighbors) or join me in sharing some chicken or turkey. But most of all, he loved visits from his other human Claire, which were always a special occasion for him.

He never did like me leaving the apartment for any length of time, and when the pandemic and lockdown hit, his dream came true, as I was home all day long, and could give him unlimited attention and lap time (once totaling 7 hours for the day). By the time he started having health issues, I was retired and again could focus on him and give him all the attention he wanted and needed; our close bond grew even closer. As his health declined, the time came to let him go, but he had a good last day filled with his favorite activities and surrounded by his loved ones. He will be missed beyond measure.
-Anthony Z.

02/01/2026

🩵✨Simmons✨🩵

Hard to say goodbye to our sweet handsome blue eyed boy… Simmons was a wild one - he once left home for 4 1/2 years just to show up in the backyard one day like nothing ever happened. He charmed his way around our interconnected backyard neighborhood block. He came back for a few good months with Lincoln & a couple years with Rocky - they grew up together in my old apartment and here, feels like the end of an era 💔

He was strong, stoic, vocal & full of sass. He was super smart, loved puzzles and challenges… he was always sweet to Ruby even though he sometimes got into it with Iko 😅 Rocky was his best bud 🖤

He acted like he didn’t care for Quinn & Gypsy then we’d catch him snuggling up at night 🥹 He made us laugh & loved demanding our attention for endless head scratches til the end… RIP Big Country, Love you bud 🩵

21/12/2025

30/11/2025

Pancake grew up in Seattle and first came into my life at the Seattle Animal Shelter. He was very friendly and immediately approached me to give me an affectionate headbutt the first time I met him then. We spent five years in Seattle, where he loved sitting by the window to watch for birds, before moving to San Francisco together in a fraught two day car ride with lots of meowing. In San Francisco, Pancake made more friends and discovered his love of sitting directly between people on the couch. Pancake was an ambassador for cats and converted many people who were previously not cat people into people who loved cats, including three of my roommates, two of whom have now adopted their own cat. Pancake was always very gentle and could communicate that he didn't like being pet or touched a certain way just by turning around and giving you a look. As he aged, he battled many chronic illnesses, and faced cancer twice, losing an eye to it. Despite this, he continued to approach life with an agreeable and gentle attitude, not only tolerating his medication but demanding it, because it meant getting treats. He was a very special cat and he will be missed.
-Rachel M.

09/10/2025

Simon was rescued along with his sister in Florida, then the whole family moved to San Francisco. Simon was very loved. Simon went peacefully ❤️

25/09/2025

R.I.P. Teddy Bear Bottmeyer 12/27/2008- 9/14/25

*Just 3 months shy of your 17th birthday!
Aka Ted, Trouble, Chubbles, Chublar, Choobles, Mister, Nerfgerger, Stinky McGee, Ding-a-ling, and Old Man

You came into our lives as a second chance, but really you were always meant to be a part of our family. When we first laid eyes on you, Alex and I knew you were the one. A little brown fluff ball with green eyes. Goofy and stubborn from the very start until the very end.

You loved people and smiled for your best human friends.
Your favorite thing in life was chasing balls in the surf at the beach.

You chose Alex as your person and loved riding in the truck with him, head in his lap or out the window.

We had so many fun adventures with you and your side-kick, Grizzly. From the mountains to the ocean to rivers and fields, you two frolicked and swam to your hearts content. You were lil Dakota’s best friend, such a silly pair you were. Your spirit will live on in her affection and mischievousness.
You were the one who changed my smile forever. Literally, you bonked my chin and broke 4 of my front teeth. I have a reminder of your exuberance in every photo and look in the mirror.
You chose me in your last year. My red shadow keeping me company wherever I was in the house. I’ll miss our routines, daily walks, and sweet greetings when I came through the front door.
Sharing a life with you has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. Watching your face turn grey and your body slow down had many life lessons to offer. It was both wonderful and heart wrenching to watch you grow old.

We will always remember you as a best friend and close companion. You lived life to its fullest all the way to the end.
I hope you find Grizzly on the other side and you two run in the ocean surf chasing balls and making mischief forever.
💕🌈

07/09/2025

https://www.baywoof.org/ask-dr-dog/last-taste-of-love-a-thank-you-without-words