Rainbow Bridge

As I explained in my last post our Brittany Bridget passed away. What I did not explain is that she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure a few months ago and with medication we were able to extend her life a few extra months. However, on Saturday when we returned home from the Will McLean Folk Festival it was clear that she was in pain and having a very difficult time breathing. Not wanting to watch her suffer I decided it was time to have her humanely put to sleep.  Since it was 7:30 in the evening on a Saturday our Veterinarian's answering service referred me to the all night Affiliated Veterinary Emergency Center on Southside Blvd. at Beach Blvd. I quickly transported her to the Emergency Center but God had a different idea for the end of Bridget's life. He took her humanely by stopping her heart just as I arrived at the Emergency Center.  The technicians took her in only to immediately pronounce to me that Bridget's heart had stopped.  Their services were not needed so they helped me prepare her for the ride home so I could bury her next to our first dog Murphy.  Today, I received a very nice card from the staff at Atlantic Veterinary Emergency Center.  On the front of the card is a very touching story about pets entitled Rainbow Bridge. So for all you NatureIsReal followers here are the very special words of Rainbow Bridge. I recommend a tissue in your hand before you start reading the following words.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven lies the Rainbow Bridge.

When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge. It makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling hills and peaceful, lush meadows of green.

Our pets do not thirst or hunger. The old and sick are made young once more; the maimed and the ill become healed and strong. They are as healthy and playful as we remember them in days gone by.

Though happy and content, they still miss someone very special, someone they had to leave behind.

Together, the animals chase and play, but the day comes when a pet will suddenly stop and look into the distance...bright eyes intent, eager body quivering. Suddenly recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the green fields and into your embrace. You celebrate in joyous reunion. You will never again separate. Happy tears and kisses are warm and plenty; your hands caress the face you missed.  You look once more into the loving eyes of your pet and know you never really parted. You realize that though out of sight, your love had been remembered.

And now you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Written by M. A. Preston

Thank you to the staff of the Affiliated Veterinary Emergency Center, your card is very special to me.

Dogs

God blessed our Family for almost 13 years with a devoted, loyal, loving dog, Bridget, our Brittany Spaniel, who passed yesterday to heaven to wait on us with her tail wagging. With tears, smiles and fond memories of the joy she brought our family it reminds me of the Gene Hill quotes about dogs my brother emailed me several months ago after his dog Kate passed. Thanks David! For those of you who don't know about Gene he is the author of several books about life with dogs. So join me in tears, smiles and fond memories of past dogs in your lives as you read the following quotes from Gene Hill. My favorite is in bold print.

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever—in case I need him. And I expect I will—as I always have. He is just my dog.

I can't imagine living in a house without a couple of dogs. If I ever got out of bed at night and didn't have to step over a Labrador or two or three, or move one off the covers so I could turn over, my nights would be more restless and the demons that wait in the dark for me would be less easily fended.

I can't think of anything that brings me closer to tears than when my old dog—completely exhausted after a hard day in the field—limps away from her nice spot in front of the fire and comes over to where I'm sitting and puts her head in my lap, a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes, and goes back to sleep. I don't know what I've done to deserve that kind of friend.

I like them all—pointers, setters, retrievers, spaniels—what have you. I've had good ones and bad of several kinds. Most of the bad ones were my fault and most of the good ones would have been good under any circumstances.

It's not really important that Tip was a good dog to hunt over, but it is important to me that she was a good dog to be with. She was my pal. We enjoyed being with each other. I don't know that you can ask for much more.

No one can fully understand the meaning of love unless he's owned a dog. A dog can show you more honest affection with a flick of his tail than a man can gather through a lifetime of handshakes.

We never really own a dog as much as he owns us.

Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies.

Thank you God for bringing us Bridget, she was a special part of our lives we will never forget.