Sabrins Lends a Paw

 

I thought there would be no money or an economy to worry about when I crossed the Bridge. For the average Angel, that is true. Yet every civilization has a currency that it uses to function, and for centuries it was managed poorly. But then Hobo Hudson came to the Bridge. 

Hobo went from a dog who spent all his time tied to a tree to becoming part of a beautiful family, an author, and an extraordinaire business dog. His investments in the bone market were equivalent to JP Morgan. He became the richest dog in town and strengthened the dog economy. 

When he got to the Bridge, I told my old friend it was time for him to rest, but after a couple of days, he grew restless and needed to put his mind to work. He inquired about the Bridge's governing budget, and I told him I didn't know but would check. I discovered our accountant, a wise owl, had flown the coop, and the position of Bridge Treasurer was open. I recommended Hobo, who was gratefully welcomed and soon got to work balancing the books. Within a day, I heard him barking that there was no fixing the financial problems, and he hadn't sounded happier. 

But, lately, the happy sounds have become growls, and the financial situation has become bleak. I went to visit my good friend and asked what was wrong. He said the accounting issues were beyond him, and only one soul he knew who was better at bookkeeping than he was was his sister Sabrina. But, she was still with her parents.

Hobo knew she had been ill, fighting off kidney disease for a long time, but she was a stubborn Siamese and did not want to go to the Bridge. I encouraged Hobo to talk to his parents in their dreams, and help her cross over, so Sabrina's pain ended, and Hobo got help.

Hobo's dad said it was up to Sabrina, so Hobo visited his sister's dreams. They fought, with Sabrina arguing their parents could not handle it if she left, until Hobo, a master debater, convinced her that watching her suffer was harder than losing her. Sabrina agreed to go, and upon awaking, she gave her parents the sign that it was time. They took her to the vet, set her free of her pain, and took it on themselves.

All the members of the Hudson Pack are known at Rainbow Bridge, and cats and dogs attended Sabrina's welcome party. My cat counterpoint Paddy O'Malley and I were up to mischief, organizing dozens of speakers to welcome Sabrina, which we knew was a frustrated Hobo, who only wanted to get back to work .

By morning, Sabrina and Hobo were hard at work, arguing, laughing, and then silent as they both concentrated. I knew not to disturb them. They were two sibling geniuses who would make all our lives better by balancing our budgets.

I knew not to bother them but did order a case of bone beer to Hobo to mellow him out.