Welcome to The Path to Forever

The genesis of this website followed the death of one of my cats, Dmitri, in 1992. I'd had pets throughout my life, but for some reason, his death affected me more deeply at that point in my life. It was probably a combination of things that made this death different. This was the first pet I was totally responsible for (not co-owned with my parents in years past). He had been adopted by my wife and me shortly after we were married when he was a kitten. He died of a stroke when he was only 3 1/2 years old.

I'd read somewhere that doing something creative was a good way to work through grief. I created a scrapbook of photos of Dmitri that chronicled his life, more or less, with notes about what he his personality was like. I wanted to be sure that certain details would not be forgotten many years later. I also intended to share it with anyone who might benefit from the idea of a scrapbook for a loved one. It was pretty crude, but therapeutic. At the same time, I developed another idea.

My wife and I make costumes for a hobby. We wear and compete them at Science Fiction conventions. I developed a costume of an angel that carries away the souls of dying pets. Along with this costume, I researched information on angels and Near Death Experiences where people had seen their former pets. I retained an interest in the subject of NDEs, what the "Afterlife" may be like, and collected accounts of "experiencers" -- especially where they may've seen their beloved animals.

Originally, I'd thought to offer copies of the original documentation I'd gathered to pet grief counselors, but I wasn't sure professionals might view it as useful. Still, I felt that I should somehow share this rather obscure -- knowledge, if you will -- with others. Ultimately, I hope that it might help those seeking reassurance that they will see their loved ones again, on The Other Side.

So, feel free to wander about the site. I've tried to arrange it in as easy a way to navigate as I can. I hope it gives you comfort. Drop me a line, if you like: I'd love to hear from you.

Bruce

This site was created by Bruce Mai and Max
--- Purricoon's Rufus Maximillian
(With occasional supervision from Merlin -- the black cat butt on Bruce's shoulders)

Update:

Sadly, this site is now also dedicated to my partner. Ironically, Max was diagnosed with a malignant histiocytosis sarcoma shortly after we began working on this site together. He was set free to follow The Path to Forever in September of 2003. My online journal documents the last few months fighting this awful disease. Included are useful links to anyone who may be fighting cancer with their own pets. Eventually, I'll have the links better organized.

Purricoon's Rufus Maximillian

4/3/1993 - 9/13/2003

We miss you, Baby

Bruce and Max

The Original Documentation	The Costume Project	Dmitri's Scrapbook
Additional Documentation (More to come)	Links	Self-Indulgent Pages (Observations and editorializing)