Foley’s Tails From Rainbow Bridge - The. Mortal Side Loses an Dear Friend

Despite being at the Bridge, and passing 11 years ago, I am still shocked by death.

I love all my friends online. They still make me smile every day, even at the Bridge, and after my passing, and Pocket’s then River’s’ they have been a great support for my family.

I thought all of that would end when I was tossed off the group Doggyspace after the great purge of 2008, but now I know I owe a debt of gratitude to the weasels who made that decision because it led me to blog and friends I never would have met.

One of my closest friends was Bouncing Bertie, a dog who lived an exciting life. Bertie and his mom Gail lived in Scotland, by the water, and while I considered myself an active dog I had nothing on Bertrie and Gail.

They took long hikes by the water, through the fields, and the forest. Gail would bike too. Mommy wondered where this woman found the energy. Of all the people in our bogging family, she was the most active. A true force of nature who would be around forever.

Bertie joined the Bridge, and quickly found his replacement, Nobby, who had new puppy energy and was able to keep up with Gail.

Until December of 2024 when Gail slowed down, needing more rest. I thought it was one of those illnesses that people get, that sidelines them for a bit. But when I saw Bertie preparing a new room at his cottage on a cliff.  

It was inconceivable to me that the strongest and most active dog mom I knew could be coming to the Bridge, but the first thing you learn about the end of life is that it never makes sense and is rarely fair.

Gail always put her dogs first so it was no surprise that before she passed she made arrangements for Nobby to have an equally caring family and to still be able to go on the walks he loved.

When Gail crossed the Bridge she did so with her old vigor, and she was met by all the dogs she had loved and lost, led by Bouncing Bertie.

And when I go to the river’s edge I see them happily walking together exploring her new world just as she had on the mortal side.

When Gail passed it rocked Blogville, leaving a hole, but it will be filled by another, and the world will keep spinning.

If a little less joyfully