Ferret Fotography

Visitors From the Bridge

I stood by your bed last night ; I came to have a peek. I could see that you were crying you found it hard to sleep. I chittered to you softly, as you brushed away your tears. "It's me. I haven't left you. I'm well. I'm fine. I'm here"

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea. You were thinking of the many times your hands reached Out to me.

I was with you at the shops today ; your arms were getting sore, I longed to take your parcels - I wished I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today ; you tend it with such care, I want to reassure you that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house as you fumbled for your key, I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, "It's me".

You looked so very tired and sank into a chair. I tried so very hard to let you know that I was there. It's possible for me to be so near you every day ; To say to you with certainty "I never went away ".

You sat there very quietly, then smiled. I think you knew, In the stillness of the evening, I was very close to you. When the day is over, I smile and watch you yawning, And say "Goodnight. God bless. I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand there side by side. I have so many things to show you, there is much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out, then cross the bridge with me.

Author Unknown

THE JOURNEY

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information.

Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details: the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig.

Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching : summer insects collecting on a screen; how bizarre they are ; how many kinds there are or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this ; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by.

You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand : spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a cat in hot pursuit, all in the name of love.

Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your animal companion always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend. I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go.

An animal companion's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

Author Unknown

A Letter From Your Pet In Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from the Bridge. Here, I dwell with God above. Here, there's no more tears of sadness. Here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you. It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight, God and I are closest to you ... in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years, because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry : it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb ; But together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too ; That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain ; Then you can say to God at night... "My day was not in vain." And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile. Knowing as I passed along I made somebody smile.

God says: "If you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low ; Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street with me on your mind ; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind."

"And when it's time for you to go ... from that body to be free. Remember you're not going ... you're coming here to me."

Author Unknown

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