Remembering

Sir Herbert

Early Friday morning, a pet family member flew over the Rainbow Bridge to join the billions of other pets awaiting him.  About 3:45 am, as I was holding Sir Herbert he spread his wings as if to fly, took one last breath, and was gone. I'm sure his soul flew out of his body at that very moment and soared to greet those who awaited him.  It was a bittersweet moment.  Sweet because he had been sick for the last two weeks; bitter because he was gone.  His mate, Lady Peaches, is distraught.  No matter how much I explain to her that Herbert is gone, she misses her mate of 15 or more years.  So sad.

This experience has allowed me to take the time to remember other pets who have moved on.  Today, this blog entry is dedicated to their memory.  All very special creatures who touched my life at various times beginning with a little fox terrier named Penny.

Penny and I grew up together.  I was about 4 when my parents decided it was time for a dog. She came to us as a puppy and was a typical puppy...into everything. Ah, yes, Penny. She did not like other dogs and chased any of them who might venture onto our lawn. She did like balogna and would awaken from a sound sleep when the refrigerator door opened. I remember one Sunday when I played hooky from church, I heard this "noise" from downstairs. To my amazement, there she was sitting very calmly in the middle of the living room, howling at the top of her lungs.  Maybe she was singing praises for all the balogna blessings.  After 17 years, Penny made that final journey.  Thank you my sweet dog for all those years of friendship and love.

The next special creature to enter my life was Lady aka Huggy Bear.  Lady was a basset hound like no other. She was found wandering down a country road by the sister of a dear friend. They rescued her but found that her ears and their son's delight in pulling them just didn't seem right.  My friend rescued Lady from a less than ideal situation and when I met Lady I immediately exclaimed that I wanted her. I was married at that time with a husband who was less than thrilled to hear this exclamation.  However, the phone call soon came asking if I was really serious about having Lady as a family member.  Of course, the answer was yes as soon as I agreed she would not be allowed in the bedroom or living room, etc. etc. Lady was with us for eight or nine years. During that time we discovered that she loved beer and was not intimidated by anything, including heavy equipment that infringed on her property.  Thank you Lady for making a less than happy marriage a bit happier.

Then came Sasha. A poodle mix who joined me shortly after my divorce. My good friend Jill went with me to the Humane Society to search for that perfect companion.  When we got there we discovered very few small dogs in residence.  However, all of a sudden Jill comes running to me saying "Get over here quick, they just put this little dog in the cage and a lady is on her way over. You need to get there first."  So over I went and Sasha became an Eckert.  She was with me for close to 17 years. A bundle of love and joy who (according to my vet) helped pay off his school loans. We took long walks until she got too hot and I had to carry her home. Thank goodness she was little!

Sasha soon had a little brother named Romeo.  Romeo was a kitten who had been abandoned in the parking lot at Timberlake Apartments.  He lived under a neighbor's car and would not come out for anyone but me. Needless to say, he chose me. Sasha was not entirely thrilled but they soon became buddies. Romeo was appropriately named as he was the most loving cat ever. He would sit on my lap as I meditated or read, snuggling the whole time.

A few years after Romeo joined us, a friend called telling me about nine kittens who had been thrown into the garbage at Timberlake.  They had been rescued and were secretly being housed in a vacant apartment. Of course, you know what happened.  Damien joined the family.  I must admit neither Sasha or Romeo thought this was a good idea.  Sasha eventually accepted Damien but not sure about Romeo. Another cat was cutting in on his lap time.

Romeo left way too soon shortly before I went to Russia to bring Ulya home. I often wonder if he knew someone else was coming who would get most of my attention.

Since then, other pets have joined the family and I feel so blessed.  They are still active, loving members of our family. Beautiful accepting angels of love.  They are:

Damien, age 18

Spookie, age 11

Lucky Joseph, age 11

Lady Peaches

Here is Lady Peaches at a happier time.  Today, she continues to grieve. How I wish I could make it better for her. We hear so often that animals are creatures of habit (aren't we all?), that they really can't love or feel. Ballderdash! They feel; they love.  Anyone who has had and loved a pet knows this. Peaches is a grieving widow. Instead of casseroles I will bring her a new toy and some sweet treats to make her world just a little brighter. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, she will let me hold her in the near future.  

So to all my dear, departed furry and feathered friends, thank you for making my life just a little brighter.  You were and still are loved and missed.

And thank you to Lucky Joe, Damien, Spookie and Peaches for being part of the Eckert family.  Ulya and I are so blessed to have each of you here.  

And as a footnote, the cats have the names they do because both of them came to us during the Halloween season. 

Give your pets an extra hug today from me.  They are pure Love.  

Namaste,

Mareda