The Rainbow Bridge . . .

 

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.... 

 Author unknown...

I don't think you are ever prepared to love someone as much as you do when you invite one of these precious little souls into your life.  I remember the ride in the car home from where we got Mitzie, how she fit perfectly into my lap and how she snuggled right in like she knew already that she was home. Little did I know it at the time,  but my heart was already totally and fully invested in this wee treasure.  She walked into my home and my heart like she already knew it was hers, and  . . .  it was. My constant companion for 10 years, she was never far from my side.  Always close by, always loving, never more than a stroke away, even during the night. She slept right by my side of the bed.

It broke my heart not to be able to bring her with me when I had to leave the UK and come back to Canada.  But I was very grateful to have found her a new and very loving home, with kind, kind, people. My loss would be their gain.  Through these last almost three years, they have been so very thoughtful to me, always keeping me up to date with her goings on, sharing photographs, etc. It was very clear to me that they loved her every bit as much as I did, and that she was living the best of lives.  Beloved.  She was beloved. I have been so grateful for that and for their kindness in keeping me in the loop. It was not something they had to do, but they did do it, and I was so very thankful for this tender mercy.

Monday, the 4th of September, Mitzie spent a peaceful last day, going for a walk by the seaside, enjoying her very favorite taste of chicken and a spot of cheese.  She passed, surrounded and held by people who loved her every bit as much as I did.  She was 13.

They say grief is the price you pay for love. I know it is a price we all gladly pay for those that we love.  I would not have a life without having had the love which I have had in the past,  and do now have in it.  This has hit me really hard.  I cried myself to sleep last night and I have not been able to stop crying this morning. Even though I knew this day would come,  I was not prepared for how very much it would hurt.  She was my baby girl. This has been a hard, hard, hard few years.  I would not wish them on anyone. Saying goodbye once was hard. Saying goodbye twice  . . . I never knew it would hurt so much.

I haven't the heart to say much more this morning, but  I know and am hopeful that I will see her again one day. She was a very lucky soul to have been loved as much as she was and we were lucky to have loved her as much as we did and to have had her bright light in our lives.