Happy New Year! I hope you all had a blessed Holiday, seeing family, old friends and enjoying the moments of the season! We had a wonderful birthday party for Jesus, and enjoyed lying here in the warm sunshine, talking about our memories of Holidays in our earthly homes. We also watched as you went to church to celebrate the reason for the season, and then saw you celebrating with friends and family, giving gifts to those you hold close in your hearts! It is a beautiful time of the year! I so wish all of us could hold the magic of Christmas all the year through!
      Sady the guard dog of the Rainbow Bridge has asked that we come to meet a new arrival. Along the way I notice a black and white Springer Spaniel and stop to say hello. He says his name is Stagger. I asked him if he would like to come along as I am on my way to the Rainbow Bridge to welcome a dog or cat to their new heavenly home. As we walked, Stagger explained that he crossed the Bridge in 2010 and he how sad he felt to leave his earthly master and home and how much it meant to be greeted upon his arrival, as he crossed the Bridge.
      As we approached the Bridge, some of my heavenly dog pals Rasta, Kachina, Reuger, Remington, BB, Ty, along with my feline friends Lucky and Squeeky, were anxiously awaiting to comfort and introduce the new arrival to this beautiful new home. We all know how hard it is for a dog or cat to arrive in their new heavenly home and we want to be there, offering our friendships and love, for we know what it meant to each of us to know we were not alone.
      We notice Sady walking across the bridge with a German Shepherd! I can’t believe it! It is Lonesome. His master was Howard from the Boardman News. I was so excited I ran halfway across the Bridge to see him! I remeber how Howard rescued him, taking him in and loving him. Oh what a beautiful couple of years Lonesome had with Howard. I know how difficult this must be for them both, having to leave each other. Lonesome was always kind of shy around other dogs, but when he saw me, he lifted his head and his tail wagged.
      I asked him how my masters and Howard were doing! Lonesome said, “They are all doing fine, they and your friends, still talk about you and the wonderful memories they will always hold dear.” I said, “Howard was always so loving and kind to me, always sneeking me biscuits, taking me for walks, he always had the time for me.” Lonesome remarked, “I agree, Howard gave me the most beautiful and loving life I could have ever asked for. During my last week with him, he walked with me through the woods for as long as I wished, even at 4 in the morning. I know he is hurting so deeply because I have left him.” Lonesome said, “I want him to know, I am feeling no pain and am engulfed in peace as I cross this Bridge. I have found my old friend Gretta and many new friends. I wish I could take the loneliness and pain away from him.”
      I told him, “Time heals the hurting heart and soon just the memories of your joyful times together will remain and bring comfort to him.”
      As we all head up the hill, Lonesome turns and glances at the Bridge, then looks forward, runs up to the top of the hill, overlooks the beauty ahead, feeling the incredible warmth and love surrounding him. He takes in a deep breath, shakes his head, shakes his body, gazes at his new world, and we all run down the hill, through the tall flowing grass. Suddenly stopping, ‘dog grins’ come over our faces, ........ tails are ‘awaggin.