Bridge Kids

Ebony

1994 ~ 2007

"Spotted White Paw"

Buddy

1994 ~ 2005

"Daddy's Boy"

OUR

RAINBOW BRIDGE

KIDS

EBONY

The first time I saw Ebony was on a wintery day in March of 1994 when I was responding to an ad for free puppies...

As I approached the dog house, the mama dog lazily stepped out and aside as

11 of Ebony's litter mates, looking every bit like their German Shepherd daddy,

tumbled sleepily out of their dog house, waddling off in every direction.

Ebony was the last to make her debut, but unlike the others she was all black, save for one spotted white paw;

and again unlike the others, she was noisily "yip, yip, yipping" and heading straight for me.

In less time than it takes to take a breath, she had made her decision and she had won my heart.

I scooped her up into my arms, and we headed home.

BUDDY

Buddy and I met in May of 1995 when I passed by a car in a grocery store parking lot.

Through the window I could see how much he looked like Ebony and I just had to stop and get a better look!

Totally to my surprise, rather than barking at me, he pressed his nose to the window in response and

as we were 'sizing each other up" his owner came out of the store and up to the car.

In the course of our ensuing conversation (as Buddy snuggled closer so I could scratch his head and ears)

the young man mentioned he might have to 'get rid' of Buddy.

I gave him our phone number and 3 weeks later Buddy was welcomed into his forever home.

***

Years later, in 2002, Jim and I went OTR as a truck-driving team, leaving our Kritters with a daughter at home.

Yet neither human nor animal could stand the separation, and soon Ebony was reigning as Queen of the Big Red Truck.

Shortly thereafter, Buddy excitedly came aboard though it was a little trickier for him

because his hind quarters were almost paralyzed and he would need special accommodations.

Undaunted, we took out the passenger seat in the cab of the truck and built bunk beds for them.

Ebby stood guard on the top and Buddy snuggled in on the bottom,

acting as sentry constantly 'on watch' through the floor 'porthole' window.

We brought along his 2-wheel cart and it wasn’t long before our morning and evening walks

were the buzz of the truck stops!

Buddy's needs were great but Jim was amazing as he cared so faithfully and tenderly for him.

When it came time to finally say our tearful farewells, we held him close and promised him our 'forever' love.

He gazed lovingly into Jim's eyes until he breathed his last.

Ebby's journey to the bridge began on yet another wintery March morning,

almost 13 years to the day of our first meeting. She had gone into surgery for a "routine" procedure

to remove an obstruction, but it turned out to be only one of several cancerous masses.

My heart lay on the ground that day as I held my girl in my arms

sharing one last precious moment together in this life.

The picture above was taken in our front yard one October day - it reminds us of the joy we have to look forward to.

“Gentle Ben”

His ‘Bestest’ Buddies

Ben was just a little fella when he appeared on the deck one early spring morning in 1996.

To this day no one knows where he came from -

he just chose our home to become a part of

and he's been one of our most

fun-loving, silly, goofy and delightful pets.

He was the third and youngest of our three ‘Big Blacks’ (Lab mixes). After we got Buddy

settled comfortably on the truck,

it was Ben's turn to try his paw at truck driving.

We had our doubts about our sanity

for trying to house three 70 lbs.+ dogs

on a truck meant for two people.

We didn't have a thing to worry about though!

Ben made one leap up on to the top bunk

with Ebby and that was that -

they shared everything from that point on -

bed, window, and water bowl...

Who says Two Heads aren't Better Than One!

Ben & Ebony sharing a drink of water

Although not related to each other,

each of them, Ebony, Buddy and Ben,

were stricken with the same

degenerative disk disease that

eventually crippled their back and hind legs.

The disease did not stop them

from enjoying life with their Daddy and Mama

on the Big Red Truck ~

their indomitable spirits gave wings to ours.

Serene and Calm, Our Gentle Ben

Benny - the Pup who Never Grew Up

The three of them traveled hundreds of

thousands of miles with us

across the beautiful

United States of America

as well as spanning East to West

across Canada.

Time will never diminish or take away

the hours and hours of joy

those three brought to us,

or the memories

of the times we rolled on the floor, shedding tears of laughter at some of the antics they pulled off on that truck

Benny on the top bunk with Ebony ...

watching for Daddy to come

back to the truck.

Yes Ben is sitting on the dashboard!

Our“Bouncing Baby Ben” continued to have the heart and the spirit of a puppy until July of 2009 when he just couldn't handle the burden and struggles of getting up and walking on his weakened legs. On the morning of July 25, he looked at me with pleading eyes - he was ready,

regardless of whether or not I was.

Broken and crushed, I made the

decision to honor his wish.

Ebony, Bud & Ben are now all together again and waiting at the Bridge for us. It will be a joyful and treasured reunion.

We've added a story about the Rainbow Bridge below; if you've read it before, you know how healing it is;

if you haven't seen it yet, we hope it touches you as it has others and eases the pain of your losses.

Rainbow Bridge

Many of us who have lost cherished pets believe they do not disappear from our lives forever;

we believe they go on before us and stop just this side of Heaven

at a place called the Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills at the Rainbow Bridge, with a lovely flowing river.

There is an abundance of food, water and sunshine, and our sweet ones are warm and comfortable;

their companions are the other pets who have also passed on from this life.

Every one of our pets who were ill and aged are restored to health and vitality;

those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,

just as we remember them in our memories of the days we spent playing and romping together.

The animals are all happy and content. They spend their hours running and playing together.

Only one thing tinges their happiness - they each miss someone they were very close to -

someone they had to leave behind.

One day will come though when those treasured so by you

will suddenly turn, look up out over the meadows and gaze quizzically into the distance.

In an instant they become fully alert; they have sensed something - a scent, a familiar footstep.

Their eyes brighten; their ears perk; their bodies begin to quiver with anticipation.

Without hesitation, your beloved pets wildly break away from their group, flying over the green grasses,

legs carrying them with the speed of the wind.

It is you they have caught a glimpse of in the distance...

And then, almost bowling you over, they are in your arms! You cling together, dancing in joyous reunion.

Your hands again caress their beloved heads, and affectionately rub their furry tummys.

Their happy kisses rain upon your face; and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pets,

so many long years gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Now you begin your journey into eternity as, side-by-side and never to part again,

you pass over the Rainbow Bridge.

Author Unknown

Purely4Pets

Personal & Loving Care for Your Pets ~ Peace of Mind for You