Foley's' Tails From Rainbow Bridge: Tanner's Dad Mike

 

I stood next to my oldest friend Tanner Bub at the human arrival section of Rainbow Bridge waiting on Tanner’s dad, whose mortal body had been ravaged by Alzheimer's.

Tanner carried a small flask around his neck like he was a mountain rescue dog. He was not there to rescue a human, but an angel.

Tanner’s tail wagged as he saw his dad slowly crossing Rainbow Bridge. Most of the diseases that bring people to their final forever home are washed away in the river of life. Alzheimer’s is no different. But, its effects, mainly the loss of memories, linger.

That is why Tanner’s presence was so important. He ran to his dad and stopped at his feet. When the man patted Tanner’s head the Yellow Lab sighed, having waited for one of this human’s touch.

His dad patted him like he would any dog he met, even a stranger, which for all his dad knew he was.

Tanner let the flask slip off  his neck and fall on the ground. He pawed at it until the top became loose. The flask opened and his father was bathed in a warm light. He reached down and pet Tanner again, but this time he said his name.

What Tanner had carried with him was exceeexceedinglyrtant, it was his Dad’s memories, which all came back to him making him whole for the first time since the terrible disease had claimed him.

One of the last mortal pleasures Tanner’s Dad Mike had was walking with his dogs Lucy and Linus through the hills near their home.

Now, he scratchedTanner’s ear, and looked up to see his other angels Max, Cocoa Puff, and Ruger Roo, and asked if they wanted to go for a walk. The four dogs walked after their dad hiking the streets in the sky.