This was a great "Dear Abby" - about a girl's last day with her cat

[LynneSin]

All I know is I had tears in my eyes after reading it. I thought it was so sweet about the guy in the lobby that helped cheer her up.

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http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/life/specials/dearabby.html

DEAR ABBY: I am a 12-year-old girl. My grandfather passed away. Then my rabbit died. On top of that, my cat, "Rocky," was diagnosed with cancer. It spread to all parts of his body. After hearing Rocky cry out in pain at 3 a.m., my family and I made the heart-wrenching decision to have him put to sleep. We took him to the vet, where I stroked his fur and spoke softly to him as he peacefully departed.

My parents stayed behind to speak to the vet, but I couldn't stand seeing Rocky lying on the table, so I walked out to the waiting room, still sobbing. The only other person there was an elderly man with a black Lab. With a foreign accent he asked what was wrong, and I tearfully told him my cat had just been put to sleep.

He handed me a tissue and said, "You made the right choice, dear. You were very unselfish. Just think how your pet would have suffered had you not done this for him."

I asked if he had ever put a pet to sleep, and he nodded. "Many times," he said. "Although it is sad, I think of it as one last act of love." I thought about his words because I had never thought of it like that. "Here," the man said, gesturing to his dog, "sometimes animals can comfort best." I knelt beside his dog, still crying, and the friendly Lab made me smile in spite of my sadness.

Then my parents came out and said it was time to go. I never found out the man's name, but I'd like to thank him for that act of kindness. I'll never forget how he helped me when I was hurting.

Missing Rocky in Mount Prospect, Ill.

DEAR MISSING ROCKY: Our guardian angels seem to show up just when we need them most. (I'll bet you didn't expect yours to have an accent and a canine companion.) The following may bring more comfort to you. It's worth remembering.

[northzax]

1. well that is a very nice letter

from a 12 year old? a budding emily dickinson, I'd say (or a wee bit of parental 'assistance'?

or am I just too damn cynical?

[MissMillie]

2. I certainly believe in guardian angels

This little girl found hers in that waiting room, and the cat found his with the family that was unselfish enough to want him out of pain.

[silverlib]

3. Need cellophane notice...

so I can wrap and protect my keyboard before reading.

What a wonderful letter from a child.