Last Friday, after about ten days of watching our beloved dog go downhill quickly and counseling with our vet, we said goodbye to her. Jazzy was an amazing addition to our family, and we were blessed to have her for ten years.
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| That's the kind of dog she was -- she let the girls turn her into Captain America |
Rainbow Bridge
(Author Unkown)
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....
This emotionally raw time came just as I was finishing the last round of edits for Chasing Shadows. My editor had challenged me in several spots to amp up the senses and add emotional impact. It was needed, but I felt like I was an open wound after finishing. I had to take a couple of days to decompress, especially with losing Jazzy as well. Thus, my tardiness on this post.
This week I will be finishing up some publication elements like the Acknowledgements page and release day planning.
But the edits are done, and I think I was able to access more emotions because of what I was going through. I hope it adds to the story. For now, my family is healing.
4 comments:
Tia,
I grieve with you. Losing a pet is a deep and often underrated sorrow.
May that rainbow be the beginning of healing, for you all, until you come to a place where all those wonderful memories of a fantastic canine companion can start to outweigh the immediacy of your pain.
Until then, I wish that you will have gentleness in your life, and richness on the page.
It takes time to heal, but a good life lived is the consolation, and our pets die with love around them.
take care of yourselves:)
So sorry for the loss of your pet. We had to put my dog down a couple years ago. It was hard, but she hadn't been doing well for a while. I'd had her for over 12 years so there were a lot of memories.
Great job on finishing up your edits and making it so much better. I'm sure it will be great.
I'm sad to say that pain never really fades all the way out, Tia. I have three dogs I'll remember forever: Dinky Dawg - my BFF for fourteen years who was put down for the same reason as Jazzy, Prince Albert - the dog who saved me from myself but stepped the wrong way into the highway, and Smoky Mountain Joseph's Pride - the big boy who was with me over ten years and took one lick too many in those mountains he was named after.
Every pet comes into our lives for a reason. I like to think they're out there once again, bringing someone else the joy they brought me. Do I hope they're on the other side waiting? Yeah. But at the same time, being selfish with their love will get me nowhere. They deserve all the love they can get.
Hugs for you. Know my thoughts are with you, my friend.
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