Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Rest in peace, Maximus Sparticus Bimbles



Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  


Monday, December 8, 2014

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yes it's my birthday today.  And 37 had better be WAY better than 36 was.  I don't know if I can take another year like that.  Lucky for me, all of my "odd numbered" years are pretty dang good.


Side note:  How blonde was my hair??

Thought for the day


Thursday, December 4, 2014

All the feels...

A long goodbye

My sister's dog, Max, is in his final days.  He's had a slow and steady decline for the last year or so, and after a trip to the vet yesterday, I fear the end is near.  He's been in pain from his arthritis and multiple other health issues and has increasingly been more and more disoriented and ornery lately.

Can I just say that this is by far, the absolute hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life?!  I know it's the right thing to do to end their suffering and let them leave this world on a "good" day and not when they are so feeble and miserable that life is not worth living.  It just seems so unfair that we outlive our pets.  The only other pet I've had was my dog Tasha that I had as a child.  She lived a very long life and passed away when I was 20 and away at college.

Watching him get worse is heart-wrenching.


I have no idea how I am going to tell my kids.  I have no idea how I will react when he takes his last breath.  I'm waiting for my father come home from Qatar so he can be with me when we take him for his last walk.


I just hope he'll always know how loved he was and how much joy he brought into our lives.  Max was the dog we never asked for (we "inherited" him when Heather passed away), but he is the dog I will miss the most.