Happy New Year to everyone! I have so much to post about – Christmas, food, family, assorted crochets and grumbles, and a book that is bugging me. I’ll get to it all at some point – before my 1 year anniversary on January 9th, I dearly hope.
But first some sad news to impart. Do you know the Rainbow Bridge?
Yes, it’s maudlin and sentimental. But, as someone who has loved and lost animals in my life it gets me every time. Because I want to believe it, I guess. I truly hope that it is REAL. I do firmly believe that if there is a heaven, our beloved pets will be there. I heard a priest say once that he believed firmly in animal souls and that if any creature deserved everlasting peace and joy, it was them.
This week my mother and Ted had to have their little guy, Bear, put to sleep. He got very sick over Christmas with pancreatitis and even with good veterinary care he just couldn’t recover. Bear was only 7 years old and should have lived twice that long. He was sweet and funny and naughty. He bullied the much bigger Taz unmercifully. He would eat anything not nailed down (except for cheap cheese – everyone has to have standards!). He was half toddler and half grumpy old man. As with all dogs, he was the best dog in the world. And he loved Momma and Ted. He was sad without them and exuberantly enraptured when they returned. With the typical small dog Napoleon complex, he protected his home from roaming dinosaurs and monsters. This little dog will leave a large void. But he’ll be waiting, I have to believe. Momma told him to look for Lad – who will take care of him until she comes for him. He’ll have a lot of furry folk to keep him company – snotty Nimue, neurotic Ginny, easygoing Pelinore. Mine will be there, too – being family: daffy Otis, dumb Lambrusco, Queen Ring Ring, ET who walks alone, and sweet, sweet Sugar. Even the odd gerbil and rabbit. And more and more, because loving and being loved by animals is a family tradition. We are blessed that way.
