Bouncing with Bertie at the Bridge

 

When Bertie learned that he had issues with his bladder that constituted an impending trip to the Bridge, he vowed to fight to the last ounce of his soul.

The doctor told his mom that Bertie's song was almost over, and the final notes were sounding from a bagpipe over the dell. But Bertie came from hard Scottish stock and was not passing over without a fight.

Peeing is something everyone takes for granted until they can't do it. We all know how uncomfortable the feeling of having to urinate is, and the more it builds, the worst it gets. That is why urinating is such a relief, but imagine having that pressure and not being able to go? Something like that will make a soul want to end the pain by departing for the Bridge.

But Bertie, who felt like he had a full bladder all the time, and had to fight and strain to relieve himself, didn't mind the pain, as long as he could keep hiking the Scottish coastline with his beloved mom. She noticed her little man straining, and it broke her heart, but Bertie was like a baby pup ready to go when he finished. During meals, he ate like a pup too.  

Bertie was long overdue for the Bridge, but we angels, who cherished him, buried the evidence of his delay. When it became apparent to the Powers That Be that he was missing, they decided to give the poor boy even more to deal with. No one had pushed the car further past E than Bertie, and now he was getting into engine trouble.  

His mom and humans noticed that he was staring into space and was not always aware of his surroundings. They also knew the problem was getting worse. Each day was his best because it was worse than yesterday and better than his dwindling tomorrows. His mom decided to end his suffering, ease her pain, take it on herself.

Bertie crossed over walking, and, after a brief stop to get sworn in, he continued, heading into the hills by the river, familiar territory for the little pup. He was never happier than when he was on a walk, and there is undoubtedly the land to do it at the Bridge. It wasn't until a couple of days of doing so that I saw him flying back home as a ghost.

Bertie is a terrific dog, and his mom feels his loss with every breath. She walks alone now, and she often thinks she can almost see Gertie running ahead of her. It is because he is there, forever going on walks with her. Sometimes, if the sun is right, she can ever see the grass part in a way it shouldn't, or a stray shadow, and should know it would take more than Bertie's soul passing to the Bridge to make him stop walking with her.