Beat This Caption

 

This is the last time I stay in a tree owned by Holiday Inn Express

Monday Question

 

Are your parents decorating for Christmas this year, and is there a decoration for you, or  a sibling, or angel?

Abbie and the Blogville Library

 

Being a dog means you have a lot of downtimes. We are content with sitting near a human in a state of perfect zen. But, sometimes, zen is dull. Time would have passed quicker if we learned to read.

When we arrive at the Bridge, we become fully formed, able to speak with all other creatures and walk on our hind legs, if we choose. Also, we are blessed with the ability to read, which I have taken full advantage of.

That is why I frequent the Blogville library founded by Barkley the Lab, who was drawn to the profession because his mother, L.B. Johnson, had written a popular book and blog about him. When Barkley came to the Bridge, he opened the library in tribute to his mom. I owe her a debt of thanks. Without her inspiring Barkley, I never would have borrowed books from the library and discovered worlds I never knew existed.

Two weeks ago, I went into the library and found books piled up on the floor and some of the shelves barren. I asked Barkley what was wrong, and he said he had been awake for days trying to keep up with the new arrivals and returns. I suggested he hire help. After thinking it over, Barkley agreed it was a great idea.

Barkley was succeeded in his family by Abbie, who also became famous thanks to her mom's writings. She was 15, a ripe old age for a lab, but she thought she had plenty of heartbeats leftover and was surprised when Barkey appeared to her and said it was time to go to the Bridge. She hated to leave her mom, but she was getting weaker and concluded it was her time.

Barkley had arranged for me to meet Abbie at the library and swear her in on the steps. Then they hurried inside, where Abbie got a look at the books. "We need to get to work; you know the Dewey decimal system don't you?"

Abbie grew suspicious. Did her brother bring her here just because he needed library help? She pointedly asked him that question, and he insisted he was innocent and then showed her the mice he had hired to help him. "I am sorry, my sister, but it was your time. I even asked for more heartbeats for you but was told no. I wouldn't hurt you or our mom, just for help at work."

I had overheard their conversation and backed Barkley's version of events. Abbie said she was sorry. Then they started working on the books. They both knew that the pair of them and books were three things their mom loved. They made sure they put their paw prints in each one, so, when their mom read it, she would feel their love, just as she had poured so much love for them into her words.

Books don't hold just information and stories, but souls

Foley Fails to Welcome Two Cats to Rainbow Bridge

 

There have been so many new angels this month that I can miss their arrival if the Powers That Be do not assign swearing-in duties to me.  That happened to two cats from the same family this week.  And, I am not proud of the way I discovered my error.

Cats are welcome to live with us at Doggyspace Villiage if they have pup siblings, and we do not stop dogs who want to room with their cat siblings in Kittyspace Villiage.  But, unlike the occupants of Blogville, where all animals are welcome, we are suspicious when we see an unaccompanied cat lurking along the border.

I was up early in the morning taking a walk when I saw two cats creeping across the wet grass.  I immediately thought they were sneaking in to steal some of our kibbles, so I charged at them, barking and flashing my fangs.  The cats stopped and began laughing, which was quite emasculating.  

"You shouldn't be here unless you are with a dog!" I said suspiciously.

"We are visiting our brother," the black one answered.  

"I know all the dogs here, as well as their siblings, and you aren't one of them."

"We are new arrivals.  I am Sambo and came to the Bridge after 19 years because my mom could no longer see me suffer from dementia.  When  I arrived, I was reunited with my memories.  A few days later, the seizure monster attacked my brother Garfield, and he came here after suffering a hundred of them in one night.   Tilly invited us to live with him here."

"Ha!" I said. "I know for a fact that you and Tilly are not siblings!" I said confidently.

"Yes, they are," Tilly, who had appeared behind me, said.  "I know you are busy and missed their arrival.  Also, I have been away.  
It has been the worst possible time for my family.  Not only have Sambo and Garfield passed, but COVID has destroyed my father's family, claiming his mother, brother, and aunt.  I welcomed them and have been trying to help my family settle here at the Bridge and ease my parents' burden.  Now I am going to help my cat siblings."

I knew two things.  Tilly was the most extraordinary angel ever, and I was a true crap puppy.  I apologized to the cats and welcomed them.  I promised I would do anything needed to help their transition.  They forgave me because being merciful is something their parents instilled in them.

Then coming over the rise, I saw their grandmother, aunt, and uncle.  All three angels ran to the humans and were picked up and snuggled.  

I knew the family was going through one of the worst times any family could experience.  But, they are strong and have mighty angels on their side.  

Still, I walked to our little church and said a prayer for the family.  I know they will escape their grief, but it will take a lot of faith, angels, and love.  

On Thanksgiving

 

We had turkey

 

Watched the Cardinals play

 

Cleaned our plates

 

And fell asleep

Foley Welcomes Cruit to Rainbow Bridge

 

 There will come a time when all souls are here at the Bridge.  The Earth and the Sun are both living creatures with set life spans  When the day comes that one of them passes, all souls will file over the Bridge, which will become the land of Happily Ever After, as everyone will be with their loved ones for eternity with no worries.

Lately, it has seemed that pets could be facing the end times before the sun, planet, and humans.  My friends have been coming over the Bridge in record numbers.  Just when I think the flow has stopped, another one passes.  Not only has this been terrible for our friends, but their parents, who only have loneliness where their heart has been.  

The latest friend to take his last breath on the mortal side is my friend Cruit.  As was true with Lucy, who I wrote about previously,  Cruit was adopted, and he only had nine months with his family.  But, for Momma Rebecca and Dad Virgil, that nine months might have been nine years because they loved him with their hearts, and he returned it with every cell in his body.

When Cruit arrived in his new home, he met a sweet dog named Barney, his brother, and soon they developed an inseparable bond.  When Barney went to the Bridge, his parents were hit with a massive wave of grief, and they only survived because they had a life ring called Cruit.

When the Darkness came to bring Cruit to the Bridge, they sent the seizure monster after him.  It affected him on his favorite spot on the rug.  He stood, but his back end didn't comply, and his body began jerking back and forth, then he fell asleep, leaving his concerned parents fussing over him.

His parents took him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and was internally bleeding.  It was the same reason that Barney had gone to the Bridge.  Sometimes ironies are particularly cruel.

His parents gave him the greatest gift of all and took all his pain from him and on to themselves, then let him go free, where he can return to the body of a young greyhound and run so hard he shakes the leaves from the trees.  

Barney joined him, and even though they had not been siblings for long, they joyfully greeted one another.  

Even though he was part of the family for less than a year, he has a forever home with Barney, and someday his parents.  

His parents gave Cruit two great gifts:  One was a home to live out his last mortal days, and another was a home for eternity.  Even though he just passed, he still considers himself to be the luckiest dog in the world.  

Beat This Caption

 You wouldn't believe what
some asshole is doing to the watering hole