My husband and I have been married 41 years and from the time we were first married we always had pets – dogs, cats, fish, horses. To us, they’re one of the family. When they hurt, we hurt and vice versa, as they always seem to know when you need a lick or a paw on the leg. We know when we bring an animal into our home and become attached that in all likelihood we’ll outlive them but we don’t think about that. We enjoy watching them grow and the cute stages they go through just as we did when our children were young. To us, the time spent with them day-in and day-out is worth the trade for however long that is.
Who could not fall in love with a puppy – how they snuggle and the
smell of their puppy breath (it’s as good as the smell of a brand new car); or a kitten how they jump straight up in the air when they play or how they chase after a string. What a precious gift from God – a companion so noble, a creature so wise. They know more about us than we do and yet they don’t tell. They just stay by our side letting us learn. Animals don’t question or complain – only a little nudging if we’ve gone past their dinner time. They love you no matter what mood you’re in – whether you’re ugly or kind. They don’t judge telling you, “I wish you would stop playing your music too loud”, or “You really messed up this time” (except for in the Garfield cartoons).
All through the years, our companions and my husband and I grow old together and it comes time for them to pass on. One of our horses, Jet, whom we had for over 20 years died suddenly this past weekend. He was lying down at feed time, colic we thought. But, it turned out he rolled, not from a stomach ache, and twisted his intestines, which is deadly for a horse. The words I’m writing can’t begin to express the emotions we felt – so surreal. So much pain and yet so much love – rich and deep. It puts you in touch with a part of your being that you know has never been touched before. We had to let Jet go and it was hard to listen to our mare call out to him throughout the night listening for his call in return. Love is for real and the animals know. Before Jet, a few years had passed since I lost a pet but whenever I do it takes me deeper into the mysteries of this beautiful, most wondrous life and I’m thankful to have these guardians along the way for companionship.
If you’ve lost an animal companion, please take heart in reading this famous poem, “Rainbow Bridge.”
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…
From the kitchen table – Pat
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Hello Pat,
I just acknowledged the poem “The Rainbow Bridge” and your article “Animals – Our companions, our friends”.
I’m very touched about what you wrote on your late horse Jet and I’m really sorry for the loss of that wonderful four-leg companion that you had been cherishing for so many years.
I can understand your pain because my husband and I felt the same sorrow when Honeymoon passed away last year.
We bought Honeymoon in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in year 2007, when we were still expatriated there, as my husband was working there. She was a baby “Coton de Tulear”, which was being sold by a beggar next to a hotel bakery, where we used to buy pastries for breakfast or tea time. She was cute and adorable, and we adopted her and got close to hear, though in the beginning, I didn’t really agree that my husband brings her at our place as my parents never used to bring up dogs inside house.
But with time I got closer and closer to Honeymoon, especially when someday, she acciddntally vomitted some motor oil that she found and drank, which forced us bringing her to veterinary for remaining under observation and intensive care during whole day and whole night. She felt better the day after but from that time I started appreciating Honeymoon much more than usual.
In year 2009 we were forced to go back to Mauritius, our native island, due to some socio-political problems occurring in Madagascar, and we brought Honeymoon with her. Adaptation was difficult as well for her as for us, as we had to start again our lives from scratch, and that Honeymoon wasn’t appreciated by everyone in my husband’s family. As Madagascar was a country at risk, Honeymoon had to be quarantined in Mauritius for three months as per local law, but thanks to my father, who knows people at Quarantine Centre, her quarantine stay was shortened to two months instead of three, then Honeymoon stayed with us in a house which belonged to my husband’s uncle from France, and which we were renting until we would find our own house.
In 2010, as I related in my short story “The Rainbow Day of My Life”, Honeymoon fell sick again because of the incarnated nail in one of her legs. I will send you the whole story via email afterwards for more details.
In May 2011, I gave birth to my first child, but I was forced to stay at my in-laws’ place for forty days with the baby, due to some special rituals which had to be accomplished as per Hindu traditions, and my father didn’t like at all the environment in which the uncle’s house was situated. Moreover, I couldn’t go to my parents’ place because I’m in conflictual terms with them since years, and my relationship with them got worse since I married my husband. Unfortunately, during my stay, my father-in-law blackmailed me and pressurised both me and my husband, either to make Honeymoon staying in garage our outside the house, or to sell it to someone else, as he feared that Honeymoon would hurt my child by jealousy, as so many similar cases happened in other families in Mauritius and were even reported in the newspapers.
My husband was extremely down about the idea of separating himself from our puppy, whereas, as I was suffering from postnatal depression after birth of my child, I was more vulnerable and it was easier for me to be influenced by anyone regarding emotional blackmail. I also somehow forced my husband selling Honeymoon, until a close friend of ours put me back on my place and made me realising the trial we were doing with Honeymoon, as one and only entity, and the depression I would cause to my husband as soon as we would separate ourselves from Honeymoon. Then, Honeymoon wasn’t sold, but conditions changed for her and she started staying in garage and outside. But it was very hard for her to adapt herself to her new conditions, because she was used to stay inside the house and going in every room.
Finally we could come back to my uncle’s house despite my father-in-law’s disagreement as he wanted us to stay at his place until we found out something for ourselves! Things started going on better for me morally too, but my father-in-law blackmailed me so much that I started nourishing a hatred against Honeymoon and I started neglecting her. However, my husband took the responsibility of looking after her, with the help of our maid.
Unfortunately, a fatal event happened in March 2012, a few days after my husband’s birthday : Honeymoon escaped from the house, as the gate was open, while my father-in-law, who was invited to have a drink with us, was closing it after having parked his car inside. The unexpected came when a car, which was rolling too quickly, wildly hit Honeymoon at the head, giving her only two seconds to live until she gave her last breath, lying dead on the street, her head heavily bleeding, in front of our powerless eyes crying! My father-in-law, who nourished so much hatred against her and even forced me nourishing hatred against Honeymoon, had his punishment on that day, because he himself had to do Honeymoon’s funeral and put her under tomb, putting on some flowers on it and giving her a warm homage.
During one whole week, my husband and I had been crying bitterly, especially me, as I was regretting having been influenced by my father-in-law instead of listening to my heart and mind, and we had to look for another puppy of same breed in emergency to fulfill the emptiness Honeymoon left into our lives.
Luckily, after only one week, we found a male Coton de Tulear, of same robe colour as Honeymoon, as if it was her twin brother, and we named it Poppy. We brought up Poppy with much more care than Honeymoon, but for hygienic reasons because of our child, Poppy could only stay either in garage, or outside, but when we bought our house, by luck Poppy had also his own kennel, which was impeccably kept clean and spacious. Moreover, Poppy was appreciated without any exception by everyone, and even I took much more care of him, managing my time to find some time to look after him, especially for making him going out, preparing his food, feeding him, giving him clean water and having his recipients kept clean all time. However, we also missed again loosing Poppy, as he once was very ill due to an infection he caught while digging into wet land after the rain, but thank God Poppy could be saved and then we took much more precautions with his hygiene as if he was a human child. Poppy may not have had the whole love we felt for Honeymoon, but that time we didn’t repeat with Poppy the same mistakes we did in the past with Honeymoon and for my part, I don’t give anymore opportunities to anyone to downgrade Poppy like some people did with Honeymoon, giving her so much disgrace!
Sorry for the length of my message Pat, but I wished sharing with you the bitter-sweet story of Honeymoon, which I may transcript and lengthen later in a short novel soon. Take care and enjoy a good reading.
From Uma
Uma – I’m so touched and sorry for the loss of your beloved pet, Honeymoon, and the circumstances you went through. Over many years, I have learned and cherished the belief that animals come into our lives not only to love but are there to teach and show us things. In this difficult account and moving story, it sounds like there were many things showing up and choices to make. You’ve been blessed to have that opportunity to learn and I’m proud of you.
I am so scared when the time comes for our dog, Hammond (Hammy). I found him on the streets & knew instantly I was going to keep him. Whats been so sweet is seeing my boyfriend fall in-love with him, too. He spoils him & treats him like his baby. Rainbow Bridge is a beautiful send off for Jet. I am so sorry for your loss 🙁
Thank you, Mary, for your warm sentiments for Jet. I can understand your fear in wanting to keep your animals safe. Sometimes, it’s not so much how we find them but that they find us. I like how your boyfriend is becoming attached and falling in love with Hammy, too. That’s special.
They come into our lives and become so much a part of us. It’s hard to imagine letting them go. When it comes, each time is hard and I’ll never get used to it, though there are times when they try to help with it.
I know one thing. When our time comes to cross that rainbow bridge, we’re gonna’ have a lot of critters running to meet us. Now, there’s a glimpse of heaven just thinking about it. 🙂
Exactly, Pat! Love that you mentioned that they find us; I have a magnet from San Diego with a drawing of a little girl with a dog & it reads, “Who rescued who? 😉
Love that, Mary, and is so true. “Who rescued who?” The animals are so in tune and our link to another dimension of what’s important in our lives. Just like children they are a gift. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you & yours, Pat!! xoxo
Thank you, Mary, same with me. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year! Hugs 🙂