Dog and Cat Tales
A Tribute To My Most Memorable Four-Legged Pet
Lady became a member of our family when I was a year old. Her devotion was an example, and her restraint. She conversed continuously in silence and displayed a sense of humor and playfulness. Her imagination was a joy; her defense of "her" children was so ferocious that she turned robins and paper bags into dragons. Bees were monsters to be attacked, and she consumed more table scraps and treats than were good for her. And never in her 13 years did she have any understanding of her size. Her intelligence and selflessness and sensitivity were a challenge. She expected us to be wiser than she was and where reasoning was superior, we could be, but in all else she led us and made us better. Her acceptance of our failures and weaknesses made us humble.
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My
sister Lisa, Lady, and me |
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My
sister Lisa, Lady, and me
This picture was taken in 1967
I was 4 years old |
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"A
true animal lover is a person who'll send back a meal in a restaurant
because there's a human hair in it, but who at home will pick
pet fur off the butter and eat without a moment's hesitation."
Author
Unknown |
The Rainbow
Bridge
"There
is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just
this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows,
hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies,
the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water, and
warm Spring weather. Those old and frail animals are young again.
Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all
day with each other.
But there
is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person
who loved them on earth.
So, each
day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops
playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears are up, the
eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group.
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet,
you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed
again and again and again and you look once more into the eyes
of your trusting pet.
Then you
cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
"
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My brother Michael, sister Lisa, Lady, and me playing dress up |
Lady and I playing in the snow 1968
I was 5 years old |
When a Pet Dies
When a pet dies, that special place in our hearts
feels so empty...
But we realize, as time passes, that animals have
a way of teaching us about loving,
about
loyalty, joy, and friendship...
And whatever we've shared in their presence
can never
really be lost.
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