I have mentioned before that the hardest part of pet blogging is saying good-bye to our friends when they cross the Rainbow Bridge. It happened again last week when Bilbo from Da DB Boyz left us. He has joined his sister Dory who just went to the Bridge a few weeks ago. We want to send our deepest condolences to their family.
Photo credit: Da DB Boyz |
This made me think about the beloved pets that have left paw prints on our hearts. Our first puppy, Madison the German Shepherd crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 1997. I shared this story a few years ago but thought it would be appropriate to tell it again. As often happens when I start writing, I lost myself in my memories. It started out happy and as I went through the years, it eventually came to the time she had to leave us.
I ended up changing the original copy because it made me cry. We are talking an ugly sobbing kind of cry. As you know, I try to keep you laughing or at least, smiling when you visit Barking from the Bayou. As I was copying and pasting the revised post, the weirdest thing happened. I had visitors from the Rainbow Bridge.
Let me set the stage for you. It was around 11:00 p.m. and I was putting the finishing touches on my post. I have my coffee in hand, my phone is charging, the dogs are asleep, and the house is quiet. This is the time that I do my best work. Sure, it’d be great to tell you that I have posts written weeks in advance, but it would not be the truth. There are a few rant blogs that I have saved, but they will most likely never see the light of day.
I’d decided to share the story of Madison and her best friend, Miss Gitty. The bond between our German Shepherd and this petite tabby was remarkable. I rescued Miss Gitty when I was eighteen and she was six weeks old. We grew into adulthood together. She ruled the roost around my home. When I got married and our new puppy joined the family, she felt the need to teach Madison the rules. It didn’t take long before the pair became inseparable.
They made an odd couple, but the love they shared was very real. Humans could learn so much about judging others that are different from themselves by watching our pets. Anyway, the two enjoyed their lives together for fifteen years. Madison was no longer able to stand and the decision had to be made. It was a devastating time as most of you know. Miss Gitty was at a loss without her best friend. Two weeks after Madison left us; Miss Gitty suffered a massive stroke. At least, that is what the veterinarian said happened. It was obvious to me that she had a broken heart. I was once again forced to make the hardest choice a pet parent ever has to make. Those were two of the darkest weeks in my life.
That was the story that I wrote, but as you can see it is very sad. Even after all of these years, it still breaks my heart. I decided to change the story to one that was more uplifting about Madison’s life.
*This is something that you need to know in order to understand the weird event that occurred. When I began writing my book series, Miss Gitty became a central character. She is the wise mentor to not only the Guardian Angel Faith Fullilove but to all of the other Returns. The second book introduces Madison into the story. In one chapter, the gang goes to New York to track down the bad guys. Miss Gitty recalls her days on the stage in the musical Cats. She sings the song ‘Memory’ and melts the hearts of The Returns.
Something that you may not know about me is that I love show tunes. I had been listening to the soundtrack of Cats on my iPhone earlier on this particular day. It was about 11:30 p.m. when I was wiping my tears and erasing the sad portion of the post, that ‘Memory’ began playing on my iPhone. I almost jumped out of my chair. My husband turned around from his desk to see what happened. I had my hand over my mouth and couldn’t speak. He said, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost!” When I finally told him that my phone started playing the song without me even touching it, I completely lost it. Major big ugly crying! Now, I know there is probably a perfectly logical explanation for what happened but I don’t want to know it.
I felt then and I will always believe that Madison and Miss Gitty saw how their memories were making me sad. Somehow, they had a paw in sharing that special song with me at that exact moment. There is no question to me that our pets watch over us and I will someday see all of my beloved pets again.
I know that Bilbo and Dory will show their parents they are still around and watching over them too. I hope it fills them with as much love as my experience did.
Have you ever experienced a “sign” from the Rainbow Bridge?
that was such a sweet story... I'm not able by now to write about the loss of Easy... and I'm not sure if I ever can... I wish I could, it maybe would help me to accept ...
ReplyDeleteI didn't think would ever hear from Dusty, I have not heard from Dash, although I feel his paw in those who are guided to us. BUT I have a stack of thank you cards I am (still) aiming to send to people kind enough to send me cards. They're on the dining table, and while I was across the room they were swiped off..... clatter... on to the floor. THEN a few days ago I was looking out the back window and saw a clear moon, and suddenly a cloud floated down across it, not much you might think - but they looked like a pair of slightly wonky angel wings.....
ReplyDeleteI may have to revise my beliefs that I don't usually get messages.....
What a powerful story! We get signs every now and then with pennies and feathers. They make us smile and remember♥
ReplyDeleteSuch a seeet story. So sorry to hear about the loss of Bilbo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and touching story!Im glad Bilbo helped you think back and revisit your angels. Oh, and I know all about that ugly crying! 😀
ReplyDeleteOMG, I am crying at this! I totally believe that Miss Gitty & Madison sent you a sign from the Bridge, there's no doubt in my mind! I have had such an experience. I really should blog about it.... I'm so upset about Bilbo! I can't believe he's gone too. His Mama must be so broken hearted, losing two babies so close together. I think both Bilbo and Miss Gitty died of broken hearts.
ReplyDeleteLove & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Our eyes are leaking but so beautiful...
ReplyDeleteOh gosh. What a beautiful story. Despite the tears, your fur-babies were reaching out to comfort you. 💗
ReplyDeleteWe don't like when friends go to the bridge
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
We just think it's time to close the gate to the bridge. Too many have gone lately.
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
That was a wonderful sign and I believe 100% that it was a sign for you from your beloved Madison and Miss Gitty. XO
ReplyDeleteSo sad when our friends have to go to the Bridge. We have a large group of much-loved family members there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special story...we think our furbabies that have passed on do give us signs...purrs to Bilbo's family for their loss.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you've got me crying now. What a beautiful sign. I have left two of Sheba's favorite balls out in the yard, and every time one of them is in a new location, I'm convinced she moved it (even though there are logical explanations). I'm so glad you shared that story. Somehow I had missed that Madison from the second book was based on one of your dogs as well. I was already excited to see a photo of the real Miss Gitty. ♥
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
We get sign all the time. They make us sad, but they also comfort us.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is such a sweet story!!! Ma says that all her doggies come back in MOI ~ I will do something strange that only one of her Angel doggies did, and she will say that I am 'channeling' that Angel dog. Maybe....I do a LOT of strange things, and I don't know why I'm doin' it! BOL
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
Wow! We didn't know about Miss Gitty. She sounds like a special ladycat.
ReplyDeleteWe're sure you were receiving a message from the Bridge.
My momma has had dreams about her animals who passed before. Me and Brinley do a lot of things that remind her of Whitley - especially Brinley.
ReplyDeleteAw, such a sweet story! And I believe 100% that our "babies" do visit us - and give us signs that they are watching over us - when they see we need them. Callie visits me a lot and I know she watches over Shadow for me all the time. They were inseparable in life, and that bond lives on. One day they will be together again at the Bridge, but not yet. When I need help with Ducky, Callie is always there, woofing in my ear. 😍
ReplyDelete💜Gentle nose nudges 💜
ReplyDeleteCEO Olivia
What a sweet and beautiful story ! We believe that our angels are around us and say "hi" from time to time. Purrs
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies for all those that have passed.
ReplyDelete