| 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. |
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Pooka,
the little flirt! |
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Pooky
having had a little
romp in the snow! |
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Pooka.
Pooky.
Wee-Willie-Pooka-Belly. Yup, that's it! WOOF!
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Grama
in 1958.
What exactly do you think SHE would have thought of
the amazing World Wide Web?? |
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Am I pretty or what? |
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When
life is viewed in hindsight, the memories reform themselves in very
interesting ways. They ... appear, arrange, occur, affect ... and
happen all over again. For us, one such particular year was
1987. I can honestly say that "we" (we being Sam and Joe)
experienced the glory of highest of highs ... and the tragedy of
lowest of lows.
Nineteen-eighty-seven
was a year of extremes for Sam and for Joe: learning and facing
the most sorrowful finality of life; as well as the beginning of
a new one.In March of 1987, we lost our beloved Grandmother. Boy!
Would SHE have LOVED the Internet! If only she were here today.
Nonetheless, I
won't dwell on our family's the sadness of that year; but highlight
the most wonderful part: the arrival of Pooka in our lives!
In September 1987,
Pooka called to us. Right through thin air; through God's
direction. She knew she had to be in our lives. So, her Sam
and Joe ... they drove far and wide, high and low, over hill, over
dale, rivers, woods, you got it ... to find her and bring her to
her HOME.
Pooky's first
strong memory was of being brought home, in a Mustang GT (she knew
she must be a cool dog then!). When Sam and Joe stopped to get a
soda at a convenience store on the trip home, Sam (who was
driving) held Pooky ... while Joe went into the store. Well, Pooky
wasn't too happy about that. See, she'd BONDED with Joe during the
drive. Since Joe had been HOLDING her.
Sam? WHO CARES?! WHERE'S JOE!?!?! Fortunately, I finally
was able to SHOW her the JOE through
the window. Smart pup. She actually saw what I was pointing at! Well. Pooky promptly
set about bringing goofiness and joy to her Sam and Joe's lives.
As a matter of
FACT ... POOKY is the REASON we are: SAM
AND JOE. Hey, we couldn't BOTH be "Mom," you know.
So she is the one who gave us our "names." Many
years have passed; many memories are born every day. Pooka has long
been the reigning alpha female in our home! She is FIFTEEN (in July
2002). She's a wonderful little pup who has blessed our home with
her beauty, loyalty and entertaining personality for many years
... and hopefully many more years to come.
Pooky has quite a
bit of arthritis now, has developed severe cataracts ... and is almost
completely deaf. All that having been said ... her vet says that she
is in GREAT health (otherwise!). She takes medication for her arthritis
(1-888-PetMeds!),
and needs to be guided around quite a bit (so she won't walk into
things!), but she still has a remarkably strong appetite and very
dominant personality!
She is still a bit of a child at heart, and loves playing with her
two brothers, Checkers and -- most
of all -- Scootie. They bring out
the "pup" that still lives in her soul!! Scootie LOVES his
big sister so much!!! Pooky often wears her t-shirts, or even her
fleecy cow sweat suit ... just to keep her joints warm!! 
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