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A couple months ago I posted a note to acknowledge the departure of my cousin’s dog/friend/child, Stanley. Today, I am writing about my own loss and grief for on Friday, November 4, I said goodbye to my good, dear friend of fifteen wonderful years, Callie.

(I know. I know. Right now most of you are thinking, “what a complete sap!’ To them, I say this… ‘tough noogies’. I am who I am. Tender heart and all.)

There is not much to say, really. Callie was older and getting ill and had many other problems. My parents had the unfortunate and very difficult task of having to make the final decision to let her go. But, my sister, Amy, and I are the ones who offered to take her in. (I couldn’t let her be alone), along with my partner, Jude.

Callie and I always had a special bond, from the moment we brought her back into our house (long story for another time). She was my buddy for the 10 years I continued to live at home. When I left, I don’t think she was too happy with me. It wasn’t until these last few months that she started to let me back into her life. For which, I am grateful. It was the very least I could do to be with her, comfort her, at the end.

I was there when they put the needle in her paw. It was quick and painless. It was a matter of mere seconds and she was asleep… forever. I had quite a difficult time saying goodbye to her. It took me quite a while to leave the room. I am still grieving now. Which is also why I waited this long to write this entry. I just could not think of her without breaking down in tears (as I am now).

I know she is in a far better place now. No longer scared. No longer in pain. In a place of warmth and love, waiting for her family to be with her again. So, as the sap that I am, I want to dedicate the poem ‘Rainbow Bridge’ to my little girl, Callie, and to everyone else reading this who have also said goodbye to their dear, furry friends.

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 and 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 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. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away 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

Goobye my little girl. Peace out.

In loving memory,
Your Pet, Julie

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 16th, 2005 at 11:07 am and is filed under Family. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.