Wordless Wednesday

Beat This Caption

Take a right at the next light

Monday Quesiton

Have you ever seen snow and if so do you like to play in it?

Pocket:  I have seen too much snow.  It is a bother, it is wet, cold, and gets in the way

River Song:  I was born in Florida and this will be my fifth winter.  I still have to be dragged outside in the snow and usually won't perform my duties in it.

Jasper and Sophie Rae are our November 26, 2017 Pups of the Week

There is quote is from the song “It’s Quiet Uptown” from the musical Hamilton written by Lin Manuel Miranda about learning to live with the unimaginable.

The song is sung by Alexander Hamilton and his wife Angelica after their son is killed in a duel.  They are both broken with grief.  They are learning to live with something so sad and shocking it is unimaginable.

This week, the family of Jasper and Sophie Rae, plus all their friends, are trying to live with the unimaginable.  Ten days ago they both were living happily with their parents.  Over the course of two days, last Sunday and Monday,  Jasper and Sophie went to the Bridge, leaving their devastated family behind

Jasper’s passing was long feared, but not unexpected.  He has been having seizures for months.  Weeks ago his parents were preparing themselves for his journey to the Bridge.  But then his medicine began to work, and he improved to the point he was able to go on a family vacation.  

Sophie Rae, who is five years old, watched after her brother, who was twice her age.  She developed a limp, something every dog does occasionally, and no reason to worry.   Her parents took her to the vet, who had diagnosed her with a sprain. But the limp was not improving.   On a subsequent check-up, the vet elected to do an x-ray which brought the most devastating news.  Sophie Rae had bone cancer in her front shoulder.  There was no surgery to be done, no chance of a cure.  She was one jump away from a devastating leg break.  “We never imagined Sophie would go first,” her mom wrote on Facebook.

Tragically, she didn’t.  Jasper was having seizures before Sophie’s grim diagnosis, but after that awful news, Jasper’s seizure became more severe and closer together.  His parents were given directions to stop these cluster seizures, but nothing worked.  Jasper’s father took him to the vet, but there was nothing they could do.  Jasper was sent to the bridge that night.

The next day Jasper and Sophie Rae’s parents set her to the Bridge too.  Jasper had somberly waited for Sophie to arrive.  There were the huge clouds of tears and the sounds of sobbing echoing across the river when they were reunited.  We greeted our new angels, hugging and kissing them.  We expressed our concern for their parents, but Jasper said he knew they would survive because they had one another to help through this awful time and nothing, not even this senseless tragedy could break that bond

In past years I would have demanded the Big Guy give me answers about this senseless tragedy, but lately, the cave at the top of the mountain has been closed for repairs.  I didn’t want an answer.  I knew life is hard, cruel and horrific.  I was tired of making sense of the senseless.

This morning Sophie came to see me.  She and Jasper had a secret.  Sophie knew Jasper did not have much time left so she gave him some heartbeats so he could stay with his parents longer.  It was an incredibly generous gesture but, sadly, when a dog does this, they are never sure how many heartbeats they have.  She assured me she would have made the same decision if she was aware that her pulses were dwindling.  Jasper made her parents happy, and she was honored to sacrifice for him.

In every tragedy, there is sacrifice and love and even hope for tomorrow.  Jasper and Sophie are committed to seeing their parents, who they know are the best parents in the world, provide a loving home for another dog when they are ready.  The position of being a dog in their family is highly sought, and they are already conducting interviews so they will be able to tell their parents which pup to pick when the time comes.  Sophie, especially, is willing to sacrifice anything to see her parents happy again.  When you are willing to part with heartbeats for your parents there is nothing you won’t do.

Until that day comes, Jasper and Sophie will be with their parent's side during every step of the way supporting them and giving them the strength to get through the unimaginable.

Pocket Tries to Save the Turkeys

It has been colder than an Iditarod Huskie’s mother’s milk here lately, but we have still been going on walks.  We are small, but we are tough.

On Saturday we were taking a constitutional through our sleepy neighborhood when we saw a rafter of wild turkeys chilling in a yard.  We barked and raised a fuss.  The largest one lifted her head and looked into my eyes.  “Are you Pocket?” she asked.

Being a small animal I try to keep away from big birds, but I was also raised to be polite, so I admitted I was Pocket.  “You are well known for saving wild animals.  The story of how you and Foley rescued a skunk is legendary.”  I blushed.  That bit of daring-do was Foley’s idea.  You can read about it here 

“We need help,” the turkey continued.  “It is only a few days before Thanksgiving, and we have to hide.  If you could let us stay under your house, we would be greatly appreciative.”

“Turkeys under the house!” River barked.  “Oh no!  I don’t want turkeys under the house!  What’s next?  Pigeons in the floorboards?  Eagles on the skylight?  I say no birds in the house.”

“Please Miss River,” the turkey pleaded.  “ We don’t want to be Thanksgiving dinner.”

River scoffed.  “You’re a game bird.  You don’t have tender, juicy meat.”

“My meat is quite tender!  You would love to eat me!” the offended bird squawked back.

River waved a paw at the turkey.  “Bah!  You’re tough meat.  I wouldn’t eat you if you were the last turkey in the neighborhood.”

I told my grumpy sister to be kind.  “I will let you stay under the house until Friday,” I said.  “Then you should be safe.”

“Safe?” River scoffed.  “You think people only eat turkey on Thanksgiving? There is Christmas, and New Year’s, and turkey sandwiches.  Let me tell you, buddy; you’re a bird with a target on your back.”

“We can fend for ourselves after Thursday,” the turkey promised.  I quieted River and then told the turkeys to follow me home.  Remarkably, none of our neighbors found it strange that two small dogs were leading a dozen turkeys down the street, but the people are old and probably thought it was a sign they needed to get their prescriptions fixed.

We got them settled under the house by the heater.  I asked them to be quiet and promised to drop food down the grates.  “No cock a doing!” River said.  “I sleep late.”

“I am a turkey!” the bird said.  “I do not cock!”

“Well, whatever freaky thing you do keep it to yourself,” River ordered.

We went on the porch, hung up our leashes (we walk one another), and went inside the house.  Mommy asked us how the walk was.  “For the birds!” River said then rolled on her back laughing.  She got a belly rub

For the next six day as the turkeys huddled under the house,  Daddy kept swearing he smelled slow grilled turkey breast, and I would drop kibble down the grates so they could eat.  I never let on that they were there  River, thinking she was funny, would lift her leg to pee where the turkeys were nesting, but luckily River is a girl, and all she would do is tip over.

The turkeys made it through Thanksgiving and on Friday morning they emerged from under the house to live safely for the rest of the year.  The head turkey went up the steps to kiss me and thank me.  I gratefully accepted.  The turkey then saw our bag of food.  “Is that what you have been feeding us?” the bird asked.  

I told her it was.  “That food’s protein is turkey!” she squawked.  “You made us cannibals!”  She pecked me on the nose and stomped off.

“See you on the Christmas dinner table you feathered freak!”  River yelled at her.  “You know what turkeys are?  Failed chickens!”

I shushed her, but I appreciated her sentiment.

Lesson learned.  Never try to save an ungrateful turkey on Thanksgiving.  

Tails From Rainbow Bridge: The 2017 Angels Make Thanksgiving dinner

Every Thanksgiving the dogs at Rainbow Bridge gather for a feast and celebrate our unity and love.  The dogs who arrived at the Bridge since our last dinner serve their favorite food.  Most of all we give thanks to our many friends and parents who did not join us this year and pray they won’t next year.

The first course was served by our French friend Easy the Weimaraner  We were so lucky to have a brilliant French chef create an hors devours to whet our appetite.  He created a lovey Gougeres, a puff pastry with cheese.  I had never experienced such a taste explosion.  Easy’s sly observations made us all smile.  Laughter is a great way to start a dinner.

Beautiful Fern was next with a British meal called Bubble and Squeak.  I was concerned that that was the sound the food would make when it was being digested, but it is actually a scrumptious dish made from potatoes  Fern, a very sweet soul, served each dish with a smile and kiss.

After two courses from Europe it was refreshing to get some good old American food and who is better to serve treats from the USA than the All-American boy Junior Johnson?   He filled our plates with sliders and fries.  Junior smiled broadly as we howled in appreciation.

Broiled Salmon salad was an excellent way to cleanse our palate.  It as cooked to perfection by Buddy Boy Smith, our Canadian friend.  Buddy made every serving for a dog of his size and strength so us little dogs got very big helpings.

We were taken back to international cuisine by our sweet friend Luca who presented us with a barbequed meat dish called Asado.  The meat melted in our mouth.  It was heavenly, as was Luca’s smile.

Playful Sydney bounded in with the next course, a lovely risotto.  It was made perfectly, just as everything Sydney does is perfect because she has always been an outstanding example of a perfect dog.

I became angry when I saw a cat jump on the table with a slice of salmon in his mouth until I saw it was my dear friends Barney the Cat.  I asked him to come to me and told him that all her cat friends were welcome at our table.  If the Indians could invite the settlers then why couldn’t I invite the cats?  Barney thanked me and said the kitties had their own meal, but he hoped to return by desert.

Before Barney left she smelled Walleye and turned to see Ruger walking in with big plates of Walleye.  He gave a large portion to everyone then gave Barney a piece and a kiss before he ran off to the kitty feast.

Pintus followed with deep bowls of Posole.  At first, I wasn’t sure about this odd dish, but when I began to eat it, I slurped it all down and gave Pintus a big kiss of gratitude.  

Noel arrived at the Bridge without a family, but he was quickly adopted by several of the pup mom’s living at the Bridge.  He never learned how to cook, but he was more than happy to clear the dishes thrilled to be part of  Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in his existence.

Brutus was next with bottle of his famous Brutus the Bulldog beer that has become very popular at the Bridge.  It is a delicately made micro-brew with a tough edge made with love, just like Brutus.

The regal Cocoa Puff came next with a beautiful chocolate truffle ganache.  It was light and delicate and brought everyone a smile just like Cocoa.  And of course, she had kisses for everyone.  

My little friend Tiny, a fellow Yorkie, brought over some lovely chicken salad finger sandwiches from chickens that she raised herself.  Tiny didn’t have to kill the chickens.  They were more than happy to lend a wing  Tiny is such a sweet dog animals give up body parts for him.

Janie is one of the luckiest dogs here because she is living with her parents who preceded her here but she still came by with a plate of freeze-dried liver for us which was very nice of her.

We heard the sound of drums and saw fireworks going off in the sky.  Beaux-Jangles appeared around the bushes banging on a bass drum and wearing a hat with fireworks exploding out of the top.  He stopped and wiggled his butt in front of us then did a dance which caused a cloud to appear over us.  Suddenly it opened, and margaritas poured down on us.  We were out of Brutus Beer, so Beaux Jangles’ margaritas were welcome.

Nora came out next with some waffles for us which went great with the margaritas.  Nora served her waffles with sweet syrup and a welcome kiss.

We needed a break from food, and we were very lucky to have Dory and Bilbo come out next with wonderful, sweet-smelling flowers for all of us.  I made sure to save my flowers because they were so beautiful, as are Dory and Bilbo. There were flowers from all over the world.

The minions serving us brought out a steaming bowl of potatoes.  When we stuck our spans in it, Mr. Bailey sprung out from the middle and began throwing potatoes at us.  We had a cool potato friend with our Idaho pug friend before sitting down to eat some spud.

Pancho, who was saved by Angel Apollo’s Mom, didn’t ever find his own family, but he is a permanent member of Apollo’s pack.  And he brought us delicious corn on the cob, and he took the husks to spell out thank you to Momma Kimberli for saving him and giving him a family.

Then came the gastronomical highlight of the meal.  Hannah Banana was known as a magical creator of dog treats when she was mortal, and now that she has had a few months to work with the world’s immortal chefs her treats have become truly heavenly.  There was not a single crumb left.  The meal was made unforgettable because we shared it with Hannah, a truly unforgettable dog.

Tupper and Max’s special sister Minnie brought with her some wine to help wash down Hannah’s delicacy.  Minnie was very cute pouring us our drinks.  She made Tupper and Max proud.

Deuce was a senior dog, abandoned and alone when Miss Kimberli took him in and made him part of her pack.  To make sure Deuce knows he has a family now Apollo gave him some of his special bacon cigars to pass out us.

If Junior Johnson brought us All-American hamburgers, it was only right for his sister Chelsea to bring us All-American hot dogs. They tasted incredible.  The best part was watching Chelsea, and Junior run and play with one another while we ate.  I could watch those two chase one another all day long.

Jazzmin was next, and what goes better with hot dogs than popcorn.  Jazzmin popped it right in front of us and made it to order.  It was very good, and Jazzmin gave everyone a sweet kiss.

Otis from the All in the Family pack followed him with a big tub of chocolate ice cream.  I didn’t think I had any more room for food but who can resist ice cream?  Not me.  

I knew I could not finish another bite, but Cappy had the biggest, most delicious chocolate cake I had ever seen.  I moved around some internal organs to make more room and had myself a piece and a friendly pat on the head from my friend good friend Cappy.

We were full.  When I saw sweet Dixie walking towards us, I felt bad because none of us could eat another bite.  But Dixie had peppermints for us that got all the food taste out of our mouths and made us feel refreshed.  Dixie is new to the Bridge and did not have long to prepare, but the peppermints were terrific.

There was a curtain along the far side of the table.  I thought it was only there for decoration, but suddenly there was a drum roll and the curtain parted.  There were beds everywhere and standing in the middle of them was Jeni.  She announced that this was her contribution to the party, beds for us all to sleep on after a great meal.  We all hurried to the beds and snuggled down.

We looked up to see Pepper standing on the table.  She smiled at us then read to us about all our parents, wonderful stories that made us all feel comfortable and lulled us to sleep.  Just before I closed my eyes, I felt Pepper snuggle in next to me.

A tip of the tail to all the outstanding pups who contributed to our celebration.  

We are sorry their parents no longer have these pups with them, but we want them to know they spent a glorious Thanksgiving and know they will spend many more.

Wordless Wednesday