Asher, Codie

July 12, 2009

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forever in our hearts

It was a year ago. July 12, 2009. The saddest day of my life. The day Codie died.

Codie was sixteen. Mom said it was a miracle that she lived so long because she got mast cell tumors when she was young and had four surgeries before she was ten.

Most of the time Codie ignored me. I was young and a pest. But I loved her. She was funny and smart. When she played with me I was crazy with joy.

There were five of us at the house on Codie’s last day – three Labradors and Codie’s good friend Frieda. We all knew something was terrible wrong. The people were weeping. Friends came to say good bye. It was beautiful and awful at the same time.

Then dad gently lifted Codie into the car. I thought my heart would break. Codie was so weak she could hardly talk, but she wanted me to know she was not afraid of the rainbow bridge. She told me that as I grew older I would understand about the rainbow bridge and I would not fear it. Codie said only humans fear the crossing of the bridge.

Codie promised her spirit would be free to return after a year. She said she wouldn’t be in her old fur but we would know her. Codie said our dog souls remain after the passage and she would be able to communicate with us. As the car door was closing Codie told me I had to help mom and dad laugh again after she was gone.

I have done as Codie commanded. I have tried my best to make my people laugh and ease them through the terrible darkness of her passing. I await her return with joyful expectation. I wish to hear from her own soul to mine what it was like to cross the rainbow bridge and who is on the other side. Please Codie, come home.

Asher

Camera Shy

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Abel

This is my brother Abel. We were in the first litter from my mom Wanda and dad Bug. That’s why all our names start with the letter “A”.

Abel’s real easy going like me. He likes everybody and all us house dogs really like him.

Then there’s my other brother Arrow. He’s not so easy going. He gets all worried about new places and people and doesn’t want to play with us.

Here’s the best picture mom could get of him while we were in the front yard.

Arrow

I like both my brothers but they hardly pay any attention to me. They’ve always had each other so it’s like they don’t even want to get to know me.

It makes me a little sad when I think about it, but it’s ok. I’ve got Tess and Jack and there’s lots of other dogs who come to visit.

The last night he was here  Arrow tried to tell Tess that he was more important than her. He kept putting his head over her neck and then he grabbed her from behind.

I warned him that Tess wouldn’t put up with that stuff, and sure enough her bad redhead self flared up and she and Arrow got into it.

Mom was there and stopped it right away, but after that whenever Tess saw Arrow she growled at him. Good thing we’ve got two separate play areas.

Today my brothers are on their way back to Montana. I hope they come back soon. Maybe Arrow will be in a better mood next time. We’ll see. Gotta run.

Asher

Hot Dog

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Jack

OK. We’ve been goofin off. My two brothers Arrow and Abel came to stay with us, a coyote swiped our favorite chicken, and it’s been too hot to write.

Well, not really. I mean all the stuff I said is true except the part about writing.

These past few days have been tough on old Jack. I mean Tess and I get hot too, but an old black dog just gets worn down in the heat.

Of course mom worries about all of us. But when Jack was too hot and tired to follow her around like he usually does, she knew she had to do something to perk him up a little.

So out came the doggie ice cream. Dad still has to hold it for Jack. You’d think he’d figure out how to eat it himself. Tess and I grabbed ours and headed for the far corners of the yard. Jack sat in the shade and licked and licked until the little container was bone dry. Then just in case he left something on his whiskers, he stuck his tongue out as far as it would go.

When mom clicked the shutter I heard her laughing. We all peeked at the camera and had a good laugh with her. Jack didn’t care. He was remembering the taste of the ice cream and how much he loves it. I told him he should act real weak every time it gets hot and then we’ll all get plenty of ice cream.

Mom’s gonna start making her own doggie ice cream. For now we’re loving our Frosty Paws. You can get it at most grocery stores. Try it – you’ll like it! Gotta run.