Foley's Tails From Rainbow Bridge: Welcoming Nathan the Prophet

 

 We all go to the Bridge: That's a fact, but some dogs rage against the dying light and don't leave our parent's side until every measure of our devotion has expired.

Nathan the Prophet was named so because he is a wise, all-seeing pup, so when he began to feel poorly, he knew exactly what was happening, and each night he met the darkness by saying: "Not today."

It was 19 months ago when Nathan began to show his advanced age. He began to lose control of every part of his southern region: His legs weren't working well, and the bay doors on his butt were stuck open. Momma Barbara didn't mind. When you are in a long relationship, you understand that someday one will clean the other's poop.

Nathan decided to combat his failing lower part by turning the top part to all puppy: He began to chew everything in sight and destroy things that shan't be destroyed. It was his way of saying to his mom: "I am still here, and I am not ready to leave." His mom minded this slightly more than cleaning poop. You don't have to go to the store to buy poop that has been torn to shreds.

Momma Barbara began considering aiding Nathan with his transition to the Bridge. Still, he let her know, when he was outside, that he wanted to stay despite his need for diapers and inability to get his butt on the couch. He did so by playing and barking: Announcing to the neighbors he was still there and not going anywhere.

But, inevitably, we all do have a place to go at the end, and despite all of Nathan's love and determination, this week, his mortal song came to an end, and Momma Barbara helped him cross over and took on his pain, his guilt, his suffering, and set him free.

A large group cheered Nathan as he crossed the Bridge and a large welcoming committee. He told me there must be some confusion, he wasn't a prophet, but I told him they were there for the Nathan part, not the Prophet part.

Nathan asked me to write down what he did and report it to his mom because he knew it would make her smile. He is sniffing every glistening piece of grass and tree trunk. He inspects the fences, finding holes, squeezing through them, and running freely. He stops and tells everyone he sees about the smells he encountered, then runs and sniffs, trying to burn off all the sorrow he feels about crossing and hoping his mom can see him in her dreams and that it might raise a smile.

Because that is what the Prophet said.