Tails from Rainbow Bridge: Catching up with Morgan and Muffin

A few weeks ago I wrote about Jackson’s wonderful mother Jane Marinello and how she helped her 100 year old neighbor Thelma and her Maltese Muffin.  The 14 year old had not been groomed in a long time and Jane got her groomed so she could see again greatly improving the lives’ of Thelma and Muffin.

Unfortunately Muffin crossed over the Bridge earlier this month.  If life was fair then Muffin and Thelma would have crossed over together but life is never fair.  Now poor Thelma is alone.  How could she imagine when Thelma got a dog who was born when Thelma was 84 years old that she would outlive her dog?

Muffin was quite upset when she arrived.  She was more than just a dog to Thelma.  She was her child, her best friend, her companion, her confidant.  She was her whole world.  Now Thelma was alone and Muffin felt terribly guilty.  We had to gather around Muffin and give her soft paws and kisses to calm her down.

Then we parted and Muffin met a dog she had heard so much about. It was Jane’s dog, Morgan the Miracle Maltese, former personal advisor to Tim Tebow, and best friend to every dog he ever met.  Morgan told Muffin that she could live with him, and they would watch over their parents together.

Morgan is such a special dog he has all sorts of powers here that other dogs don’t have.  He got into Thelma’s dreams and Thelma, being older can remember the dreams better than younger people and now when she sleeps she has two beautiful Maltese visiting her during the night.

So Jane is taking care of Thelma while she waits for the mother and child reunion and Morgan is with Muffin.  They could not be in better hands.  Kindness passes from parent to dog (and vice/versa) and then that kindness is spread throughout the mortal and immortal worlds.

That is what Morgan and Jane have taught us. 

Tails From Rainbow Bridge: Catching Up with Tupper and Max

On the mortal side of the Bridge they were brothers and best friends.  One of them became sick and the other took care of him hiding a more serious issue that would unexpectedly send him to the immortal side of the River first.  They are Tupper and Max and they are still joined at the hip.

Their passing, shortly after their father went through a difficult surgery, almost destroyed their Mom.  Max’s illness was long but Tupper’s was very fast and totally unexpected.  Fast and unexpected is worse.

Tupper was very lost his first days at the Bridge.  We all tried to comfort him but he missed his family so much.  Then Max joined him and for a short time he was happy but then he felt bad about being happy while his family was sad.  But Max and Tupper helped one another and soon they became an unbeatable team.

I always relied on Max and Tupper’s wise advice while we were all on the mortal side of the River and I made them part of my small council here on the immortal side.  Unfortunately I guess I really don’t have much to do because they said they grew bored and were looking for something else to do.

Their Mom loved the outdoors and so did her dogs so Max and Tupper left my “boring” meetings and started to lead dogs who had never enjoyed hunting before on charters into the mountains to hunt all the critters there.  (It is a catch and release program:  The Big Guys rules.)

I even partook in a hunt with them one day.  I found it dirty and some of the critters we were hunting were bigger than me but Tupper was an excellent guide and made sure I wasn’t left alone.  I didn’t catch anything but I did chase some squirrels up trees which I used to love to do when I was younger and we walked on the quiet grounds of the state mental institution.  I found my inner hunter again and now, thanks to Max and Tupper, I am back to hunting again.  

When they are not running their hunting charters Max and Tupper are looking over the Mom, siblings and family and wanted me to pass on to them that Max and Tupper love them all very much and visit all their dreams even if they can’t remember them.  And when their family is united on the immortal side they are going to retire from the charter business and spend all their time with their loved ones.

But until then I am going squirrel hunting.

Tails From Rainbow Bridge: What I Have Learned In Two Years

Wednesday, July 9, marked the second anniversary of me crossing over the Rainbow Bridge.  We don’t celebrate those anniversaries here.  What are we going to call it:  “Lost Ya Day?”

There are many things I have learned after two years at the Bridge.  If you don’t mind I would like to share them with you.

Enjoy Every Treat:  When I was on the mortal side there were times when I would get mad at my parents and I would go under my blanket to pout.  They would try to coax me out with a treat and I wouldn’t take it.  I wasted lots of time that I could have spent with my family.  I would give anything for that time now.

Love Never Ends:  The marriage vows “To death do us part” should be changed to “never part” because death does not part love.  I love my Mom as much today as I did the day I left.  All pups do.  I know humans drift apart, things change, and they part, but only the wicked hearted part from their pups.

Slow down:  Life is short but if you rush through it you miss everything.  Slow down and take in the beauty of the world.  It will prepare you for the immortal side of life when enjoying beauty is our favorite past time.

Always choose kindness:  There is never an excuse to be mean.  I know we get frustrated and sometimes that frustration comes out of our mouths in the form of cruel words.  But try to be kind,  Kindness brightens the world.  Meanness darkens it.

Be good to birds, butterflies and other pretty flying creatures:  Angels like to come visit you in the form of pretty flying creatures so pay extra special attention to them because they are more than likely one of your lost loved ones.  We choose these forms because if you saw a flying dog it would freak you out.

Never take a day for granted:  The biggest prayer I hear from parents whose pets are close to crossing the Bridge is to give them one more day.  One day is precious.  Make sure everyone you love knows how much you love them everyday because there will come a day when your loved one won’t be there and you realize how special one more day is.

And finally Believe:  Believe in the Bridge, in a better world, in seeing your loved ones again, in endless love.  If you believe it, then it will come true.  So no matter what you do remember these words from the great prophet.Steve Perry:  Don’t Stop Believing.

Tails From Rainbow Bridge: A Vist with Fella

My minions have been failing me lately.  My inbox is full but I am never presented with a question to answer and the minons are falling behind on my grooming needs.  So I have stopped them from poking into my inbox and have changed my Friday blog to reporting on what my friends here at Rainbow Bridge are doing.

This week I checked on my old friend Fella.  He is the older brother of Hattie Mae and Jackie Lynn.  He came to the Bridge shortly after I did and was the first dog I swore in.  Waiting for him was his brother in law Sage and Sage’s Mom Jackie.  Together they opened the Bridge’s first worm farm.

Fella spends a lot of time working on the work farm now.  He enjoys living with Sage but dodged question about living with Jackie, who he referred to as the “Mother in Law” with an eye roll.  I am not sure if his Bride Saffon has joined Fella at the Bridge.  If she did she did not come through my district.  When I asked Fella if Saffron was there he told me a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell then went back to hoeing the ground where his worms were growing.

He told me that he splits time with his other siblings at the Bridge checking in on his Mom.  “I am not happy that she still make those outfits for Hattie,” Fella said while separating his worms with the hoe.  “I know her body hurts. But she does love dressing Hattie and Jackie up and they do a great job posing for her.  Me?  I wasn’t much of a model.  I tried to model for Mom but was no match for my sisters.  I was like that Bruce Jenner guy but I like my man parts, at least what was left of them.”

We reflected on our days at the old DS when his pack was chased away by  a pack of bad dog.  “ Being the only male in the pack I really wanted to go out there and fight the bad dogs but Hattie and my sister Smartie wouldn’t let me go and Saffron begged me not to get involved so I didn’t.  But when your Mom is threatened it is a boy’s dog’s duty to step up and fight.”

I left Fella to his farming but he wanted his Mom to know that all her angels visit her when they can in different forms, usually with wings, and visit her in her dreams, even  if she can’t remember the visits,  and that they will always love her.

Aunt Foley: Update of the Escalator to Heaven

    I am going to change the format this week.  Instead of a question I am going to provide an update on our plans to remove the stairs at the Bridge with a modern conveyance.  

    I posted a poll for several angels and pups .  The result was that almost unanimous:  An escalator with a rest stop for refreshments, pampering, and sprucing up, was chosen to replace the old, crumbling stairs.   Enzo has all the parts and will be building it in his garage.  When the results became official I immediately regretted posting the question.

    As Judge of Rainbow Bridge District 7 one of my duties is to swear in the angels that cross the River of Life to immortality.   It usually take a dog five minutes to climb the steps.  When I proposed a modern conveyance to the Big Guy I had not anticipated the rest stop request.

    The problem is I am a very busy dog.  I don’t mind waiting in my robes while a recently passed dog climbs the stairs but the thought of me standing there impatiently while the same dog gets his or her hair curled, washed, and feasts on delectable treats burns me up.  I don’t mean to be insensitive but I could spend eternity (and that’s a mighty long time) waiting at the top of an escalator while the forbidden taste of bon bons are introduced to a dog’s pallet.

    So now I must ask for another addition to the plan. First, directly to Enzo:  Do you have an old horn lying around that garage?  If so, could you install in at the rest stop, so when the soon to be angel is done being pampered they could blow the horn to signal me to meet them at the top of the stairs so I don’t spend a freaking eternity waiting for the pampered pup to finish their first delectable box of chocolates?  And could the escalator committee agree  to modify the designs to include the horn?

    Also Tommy Tunes had a wonderful idea  For those who would like a quicker, and more exciting ride to the top, Tommy proposed a reverse water slide: Pups would sit on an innertub and an engine would pump water up the mountain to the top.  This would be great for water lovers.

   

    Any chance of a reverse water pump Enzo?

Pups of the Week: Catching Up With This Year's Bridge Angels

They say the Universe is expanding daily.  This is true.  But the reason is a secret, one, given this is the end of another year, I will make you privy to.  The Universe is expanding because the immortal side of the River of Life is part of the Universe, and with new additions daily, it needs to keep expanding

As I wrote, it is the end of the year, and I thought you would like to catch up on the many friends who have crossed the River of Life this year.

First is a pup named Benjamin.  He was diagnosed with cancer late last year.  Knowing his song was ending, he made two great sacrifices.  First he found a dog to help his Mom deal with his loss, a baby girl named Bella, and then, to save his Mom the expensive end of life costs many of us endure, he ran in front of a car dying instantly.  For the past twelve months Benjamin has been visiting Bella in her dreams making sure all his Mom’s needs are being met.

Rocco was a police dog for the Pittsburgh Police Department.  When an escaped convict attacked one of his fellow officer’s Rocco jumped in front of his friend and was stabbed to death.  Today Rocco attends every swearing in ceremony at the Bridge, in full dress uniform, and while there is no violence here, there are many forgetful dogs.  Rocco has become a private detective and most importantly a great finder of lost things.

While the mortal side of the Bridge lost a great dog in February I was reunited with one of my closest friends and now she is one of my most highly regarded advisors.  Much as I did, Meika hid her illness from her parents until it overtook her one day and she was suddenly gone.  Along with helping me Meika watches over her Dad, and her Uncle Rob, who recently survived surgery, and her nephew Tonka.  She is a full time angel for many humans who need prayers and she never lets them down.

A week later Romey joined me here.  He was a young dog who ate a sock and did not survive.  He was the first dog to make me challenge the Big Guy.  While my fit of pique did not return Romey to his loving family my friend did impress the Big Guy and Romey now helps guard his mountain (although he always lets me pass.)  He also spends a lot of time in his sister Lacey’s dreams making sure that his parents are coping with his untimely passing.

Otis was not a young dog.  He was older, blind, and suffered from diabetes.  He was mostly home bound late in his life.  But that was fine with Otis.  He loved being with his Mom.  And the first thing he did when he came to the Bridge was look at his Mom in the River of Life watching her with fresh eyes.  And he has never stopped.  He is still there now, watching over his Mom, everyday is like it is the first time he has seen her.

My friend Daisy was from Australia and like me she crossed the River after a battle with cancer.  She loved running through the Australian countryside and she continues to do so today.  Whenever I got through the hills and valleys I see Daisy running and running, having the time of her afterlife.

Totti joined us in March.  I loved his blogs because he lived in Hong Kong, and I have always found exotic locations fascinating.  As I said the Immortal side of the Bridge is always expanding in Totti loves to explore the newest, furthest areas and sends me wonderful reports of what he’s done.

Khan was needed on the Immortal side of the River because his Mom and his brother needed a full time angel.  He sacrificed his mortal life to be able to watch over his beloved humans, and to fly their prayers up to the Big Guy several times a day.

Stonewall Jackson survived 17 years on the mortal side of the River.  He went through several illnesses but he fought through each one and stayed with his Mom as long as any dog ever could.  He had a hard time dealing with losing her, but now that he has he helps new angels deal with the loss of their Moms.

Chappy also joined us after a battle with cancer.  He was a member of the Gustavson pack, a legendary family throughout the dog world.  He is now here with his brothers 12 and Fuzzy and they are always ready for new arrivals making sure they know they have friends.  As he was on the Mortal side of life Chappy is a good chap and a great friend to all.

It is a long wait for us dogs here.  We don’t want our parents to come here, knowing they are loved and needed on the Mortal side, but we do miss them.  And we need something to pass the time.  Our Boston Terrier friends, members of the Neely pack, always keep us occupied with their daring do at ball chasing and agility.  When Brooklyn crossed the River of Life it broke her Mom’s heart but the rest of her pack here including Promise and McKinzie would not let her stay down, and soon Brooklyn was entertaining us as part of the Magnificent Neely Pack.

For longer than I can remember it has been an accepted fact that Moses is love.  This year his sister Susie came to the Bridge and now, when young dogs who have never known love ask what it is, we send them to Moses and Susie, and when humans who have never known love come our way we send them to see their grandmother who also joined us this year.

At the end of June we suffered, on both sides of the River, one of the worst days, when 20 dogs arrived, all who had been entrusted to the Green Acre Dog Boarding in Arizona, and passed over in a poorly ventilated room where they suffocated.  Those angels are now on a mission.  They are the guardian angels for every dog who is boarded and if there is any problem with the boarding facility they pop into the dreams of the dogs’ owners and make sure the pups are boarded elsewhere.

One of the great leaders here at the Bridge is Angel Apollo.  This year he was joined by two family members.  The first was Ace who has proven to be a wonderful assistant to him as Apollo performs his many duties at the Bridge.

Within a few weeks of one another, first Tupper, and then his brother Max, joined us at the Bridge.  It was a very sad time for everyone because we knew it crushed their mother.  As soon as they crossed the River first Max, and then Tupper, became guardian angels to all dogs in shelters, making them feel a little less alone, and a little more loved, every day.

Raider joined us the same week that Max did.  He spent lots of time overlooking his Mom to make sure she could carry on.  He then decided to help his namesakes, the Oakland Raiders, and helped them win a couple of games, but there is only so much a dog can do, so he has joined and Tupper and Max in being guardian angel for homeless pets.

Near the end of August one of the most important dogs ever to grace the Earth, Tommy Tunes, came to the Bridge.  Just as he changed the lives of all mortal dogs he did the same with us immortal dogs.  Instead of watching our loved one in the River of Life we can now watch them on the large screen TV that the Big Guy gave to Tommy as a beautiful reward.  Tommy’s house is the first stop for all newcomers after they get their wings.  Tommy is always prepared with a plate full of the new angel’s favorite treats.  Tommy has opened his mansion to so many pups that, like the universe it keeps expanding.  Some of us simply think of Tommy’s mansion as “home.”

Barnum arrived shortly after Tommy.  In fact he was the first angel that Tommy welcomed.  With Barnum was Chauncey, a member of Barnum’s pack who arrived at the Bridge before Barnum did.  Barnum, Tommy and Chauncey were all beagles and Tommy knew he could fully trust a pup from his own breed.  Barnum and Chauncey both assist Tommy in his good deeds

I received a lot of prayers that Hagan be made well but none of them were answered.   I was very frustrated by this and got myself in more trouble with the Big Guy.  Even though his prayers were denied Hagan has made it his mission to fly prayers to Big Guy up the mountain every day.

Poor Greta was just a baby when she ate something wild she shouldn’t have and got sick.  She crossed over the River shortly after that leaving her family broken hearted.  I hope they will be happy to hear that Greta is running through the mountains and valleys all day, still burning up that puppy energy she will have throughout eternity.

Poor Nike runs with her.  Nike got caught up in a flash flood in Arizona (I know, a flash flood in Arizona!) and the poor baby drowned.  She keeps Greta company as she runs through the fields and mountains….laughing all the way.

           

The next friend I met at the top of the Bridge was Cooper who has battled illnesses his entire life until he finally succumbed to cancer.  The Big Guy himself referred to Cooper as the perfect dog.  Aware of the pain his illnesses caused his Mom Cooper spends his days working at Bridge Lab hoping to find cures for the diseases that plagued him during his life.

Just a little while ago a cloud passed overhead.  I was worried it was another cloud full of tears but when I looked up I was delighted to see Dodie Ricca working on one of her many floating gardens.  It was a masterpiece.  One of the best gardens I have ever seen.

Crickette Anne came to our side of the River when her family was breaking up and her Mom moving.  She has done nothing but sit at Tommy’s watching over her family and visiting her Mom in her dreams trying to tell her it will be all right.

Princess Bailey is a Yorkie like me and arrived at the Bridge like I did, from cancer   I always give my Yorkie friends the chance to work with me and she has done a fantastic job organizing everything for me.  When she isn’t managing my affairs, which I was never good at, she is watching over her Mom.

Rocky, a beautiful German Shepard dog, kept his cancer hidden from his Mom for as long as he could before he passed.  He has only been gone from the mortal side of the Bridge for six weeks and he still spends lots of time checking on his Mom and visiting her in her dreams.

When he isn’t visiting his Mom he spends time with two other German Shepard Dogs who recently came to the Bridge under tragic circumstances:  Daddy and Taser.  Daddy was very sad and lost until Taser arrived.  But both boys knew the hole their dual loss left in their parents’ hearts.  They also watch over their Mom and Dad because that is what German Shepherds do:  They watch over those they love.

Shakira joined Apollo and Ace in managing Apollo’s many duties here at the Bridge.  And once Shakira came to the Bridge another duty was added to Apollo’s full agenda.  They look for needy dogs in their Mom’s area and make sure she finds them and takes care of them until they can find a forever home.

While the mortal side of the Bridge lost one of its most popular members in December the Bridge gained a new Sheriff who, like he did on the mortal side, makes sure everyone is having fun all the time.  That would be Sheriff Benjamin, the Sheriff of fun, and just seeing him flying around with his happy dust and proudly wearing his badge always makes me smile.

I am just about done with this.  I know what you are thinking, if you made it this far:  Too many.  Maybe this year will be the year the Universe stops expanding and we can say to our mortal friends:  Sorry there is no room here, stay where you are.

Maybe someday.  I can hear all the Angels on this list, laughing, singing, barking, slurping.  Yup  slurping.  Slurping up ice cream, milk shakes and frappes.  Tonight is the grand opening of Otis Campbell’s drug store and ice cream shop.  Our newest angel got it all together very quickly.  As I sit here, watching the sun set over the Mayberry Town Square, I want you to know that right now all your angels are together, and while they miss you, they are happy.

So I have to go now.  Otis is holding a chocolate shake for me.  Wishing you a happy, safe, healthy New Year, with no more expansion and no pups crossing the Bridge. 

The Thing With Petals

The other day I got to take a little me time.  I got up in my favorite chair and I went on the human book to see what my favorite race of people had been thinking.  I was reading some posts about how comforting the thought of us pups being at Rainbow Bridge was when I came across an unfamiliar name who posted this.

“That is really such a lie.. I hated hearing that crap .. my dog is in the ground like my dad is ... maybe just maybe when the final day has come and Christ returns I will remember my beloved pets and Christ will give them life.. but please .. this Rainbow Bridge crap is such a fabrication of reality .. really ..??? Rainbow Bridge .... oh my .. please....!!!!!!!!! Sorry but let's not do the five year old's fantasy.. please !:”.

You know, when I was on Earth, I never believed there was really a New Jersey.  I mean maybe the Shore, where my friend Willie spent so much time.  But someone living in Northern Jersey?   Now that sounded like a fabrication of reality.  I mean who would live there?  But when I got to the Bridge I met Nana, and, since Grampy was still on the mortal side, she was hanging out with Frank Sinatra, and Frank told me he was from Northern Jersey and said it had to be a real place and I had to admit I was wroo...wroooo…...maybe not entirely correct.

First, I know this poster is a very religious person but I do want to point out while you are making a point about religion you probably shouldn’t use the word crap.  I was going to state that Jesus never used the word, nor referred to crap, except I did find one instant where, while wandering in the desert, he stepped in some camel dung and said “sure, I can walk on water, but this I step in.”

Secondly, being here at the Bridge, and while I am not really close to Christ, you need a great deal of paperwork to do that, I am closer than anyone on Earth, I know he is about being compassionate and never causing people pain, especially those with faith that they will see their loved ones again.  The post about Rainbow Bridge being a five year old’s fabrication was completely cruel, and the exact opposite of what Christ teaches.

Sometimes I will discreetly climb the hill to watch the humans get sworn into their part of the Bridge.  Often they are questioned about mean, hurtful things they have said or done in their life and their answer is “I did it in your name.”  At which point it is explained to them that their actions were not in His name at all. Usually the humans get quite huffy and try to explain to Him that He obviously does not know what His beliefs are.  When they are done explaining the “I am Holier Than Thou” folks are shoved in a hole and sent to the dark, hot place.

So you can believe that I, a Yorkie, passed away in June of 2013, and am now sitting at Rainbow Bridge where I am a Judge and have the job of swearing in dogs who arrive here after passing over the River of Life from the mortal side to the immortal side, typing this for dogs and humans to read, or you can believe I am in the ground (actually I am on a shelf but how am I to argue with someone who obviously knows so much?)

Archie Bunker once said “faith is something no one in their right mind would ever believe in.”  

Maybe no one in their right mind would believe you are reading the words of a Yorkie 15 months gone from your realm.  But without faith we’d stop believing that the sun will come out tomorrow, and that the flowers will bloom.

Someone wrote that hope is the things with feathers.  I don’t know what that means.  But I know what faith is:

Faith is the thing with petals.

Foley reflects on her first year at Rainbow bridge

In June I “celebrated” my one year anniversary at Rainbow Bridge. 

 Honestly it was quite disappointing.  Turns out the first year anniversary is paper and I was given a box of pee pads.   I don’t even pee!  Not that anniversary gifts will improve much.  Between 25 and  50 year anniversary gifts are good but after that things go downhill.  By the time of my 357th anniversary I will be receiving two dozen goats.  Like I have a place to keep two dozen goats.

While the Bridge is a wonderful place, from the River of Life where we can look in our loved ones, to the beautiful mountains overlooking the animals’ sections of the Bridge, to the grand mansions in the valley where the humans live, it is also a bittersweet place.

Everyone here misses someone.  There is so much to do that we don’t have much time to think about the loved ones we have left behind.  But occasionally these feelings do arise and when they do, the other angels can sense it, and we gather to share memories and comfort one another.

Because we have short, limited lives, at some point, everyone that we ever knew will be here, and we will be happy, but there is always someone left behind.  If our Mommies and Daddies come they miss their children, when they come, the children will miss their children..  Unless the humans manage to destroy the world there will always be someone missing someone.

It is said that the River of Life is filled with the tears shed here for those we left behind.  Others say it is filled with the tears of the reunited.  I think it is a mixture of both.  As I write this I see Smartie, PJ, Willie, Meika, Tanner, Fella, Brooklyn, Buddy and so many more of my friends running towards me.  They must know I have the blues.

Time to run and romp those tears away.

Don't Trust a Squirrel Minion with Watching Your Mom by Foley Monster

As many of you know my Mommy loves to work in the garden, and it is my duty to make sure that she doesn’t over-do it and hurt herself.  When I was on the mortal side of the Bridge I would do this by panting a lot in the stroller so my Mommy would quit because I was overheated.  But my sisters are of no use in this situation.  They just peacefully sit in the stroller until I knock it over

Usually I watch over Mommy and when she overworks I send a bird to poop on her, or send an unexpected rain storm, or flip my sisters’ buggy, and she stops working.  But I have been working very hard at the Bridge lately and decided to spend Memorial Day at the Beach.  Unfortunately this coincided with Mom’s gardening day.

I needed someone to watch over her so I called in my squirrel minions.  I told them if Mommy worked over two hours then make it rain.  They squeaked and squirted yes and I grabbed my towel and went to the beach.

When I got back four hours later I checked in the River of Life.   Mommy was still working in her garden and my squirrel minions were nowhere to be found.  Plus the weather was a mess.  It had rained before they went out, and shortly after they went out, but then stopped.  Damn minions.  You can never get good help.

The first thing I had to do was to make it rain so I called the Rain Support Line and of course I got connected to a Vanjari Hound.  I have absolutely no problem with dogs from India but when you are upset, barking quickly and loudly, and having a hard time expressing yourself, honestly, you would probably rather be talking to an English Setter.  Needless to say I could not make it rain on Mommy.

I was furious and decided to seek out my squirrel minions and find out why they failed me.  I asked some chipmunks where the squirrels had gone, because they can never keep their mouth shut, and they told me the Beaver Strip bar.  I marched right over here.

I found the squirrels gathered around the stage and throwing their nuts in the air whenever they saw a beaver.  I asked the most minion of the minions what they were doing and he said “Making it rain.”  Grrrr……

So now I have to find something more reliable than the squirrel minions to watch over my Mom when she’s working in the garden.  Maybe I can get Orkie the Yorkie to drive down the street and bite her in the butt.  But he’ll probably pass out from exhaustion on the way.

Back to the drawing board.