Rainbow Bridge

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....

Author unknown...

Our littlest angel gone too soon

April 19 - April 30 2012

Chalico's Canis Major

November 2003 - January 2005

Major came to us basically as a rescue, even though he could be double registered. Major came to live with us in November of 2004 full of love and boundless energy. What a change from our current couch potato pooch!!

He was already named Major, but we wanted to come up with a name to register him with. My husband did an internet search on "major" and it came back with endless possibilities. One of them had to do with the constellation Canis Major. Well, that solved the name issue. My daughter, who would be handling Major, is really into Astronomy and the description of the constellation mentioned herding bulls and hunting rabbits. Well, Aussies are bred to herd and we have raised show rabbits for 9 years. It seemed his name found us.

He was a quick learner when it came to basic house manners. We knew he wasn't a Champion quality dog, but that didn't matter to us. We were looking forward to going to shows and events with him and learning with him as he learned.

One horrid day in January our hopes came to a tragic end. We were out working on his obedience classwork and had him on a nylon/chain martingale collar. The "C" ring connecting the pieces of chain together that the leash hooks to broke. Of course, my daughter hit the ground calling him to play and we thought he would come right to her, myself, or our other dog. He didn't. He ran right out into the busy road right at rush hour.

Nothing can prepare you for something or someone you love being wrenched away from you unexpectedly. His passing has left a crater in our lives. However, we draw comfort knowing that his last few months here were extremely happy. He filled our days with laughter. He will always be our bright shining star.

Our Major

Canis Major
by: Robert Frost

The great Overdog
That heavenly beast
With a star in one eye
Gives a leap in the east.

He dances upright
All the way to the west
And never once drops
On his forefeet to rest.

I'm a poor underdog,
But to-night I will bark
With the great Overdog
That romps through the dark.