Musings from the Moon

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 know that “poem” is a bit on the cheesy side, but some how I can’t help myself)

Casey the Keeshond
Born: Unknown/Death: May 9, 2008

He was a good dog. Definately neurotic, but had his friends’ best interests at heart.

It was nine years ago today that my mom brought Casey the Keeshond home from the Miami Humane Society. She had seen the local news report that had a “dog of the week” up for adoption. casey had been found abandoned and starving on a corner of Biscayne Blvd. Some kind animal samaritian had picked him up before he was to be run over by a car or hit by a shot from a drive by. His luck changed that day……..all for the better.

Interestingly, my mother and Casey’s lives had a bit of a parellel, and it does not surprise me that they found each other. Both had come out of abusive relationships and obviously needed to care and love of something that was truly unconditional.

Since Casey had been on the news, hundreds of people were interested in adopting him, but they gave him to my mother. Easily and almost effortlessly. For nine years he was her companion in addition to being a good “brother” to Sir Theodore Bear, a second Keeshond, my mother purchased two years after Casey had come into her life, to keep Casey company when she was out of the house….to make her little family there complete.

I used to take care of them both when I was in South Florida, to allow my mother time to travel and see parts of the world she had yet seen. We moved, however, last May to Upstate New York, but were pleased as punch when they came to visit over the winter holidays.

Ironically, this was the first time in these Keeshond’s life that they actually were able to experience snow (the snow dogs they are). They both revelled in it for the month that they were here. It had been obvious with every passing year that Casey was slowing down, but everytime he would be with me, and my other dogs, there was a distinctive spring in his step and an honest effort to be a participating part of the pack.

He was, over that month, able to make it all the way down the hill (and back up again) to the pond, but what seemed to please him the most, was digging a hole in the snow , as his breed has always done, and watch the world go by. And that he did daily. He was happy, if not just a wee bit more creaky, when the night fell and it was time to come in.

Our apple trees are now in pure white bloom, with their pedals sprinkling themselves like the first soft winter snows. As it was, a mere 5 months ago when Casey and company were here.

I took a walk today, after I spoke to my mother and heard the news. And I could feel him, under that apple tree with the petals, and the snow and in a few more months, the dancing leaves of fall.

I am blessed that he was able to spend time here, in the elements of his ancestors and remember them and for whence he came….I am honored we were able to give him that.

Bless you Casey Coo Coo. Come visit anytime! Miss Kyla, David, Ardeo and I will be waiting…..

And when the snow flies we will romp again.