4 minute read
Animals
from 07302021 WEEKEND
by tribune242
A celestial
update
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Animal matters | KIM ARANHA
HEY, Mum, Mum, MUM!
Ah, that’s better! It’s me, Chiefie, from up here at rainbow bridge. I have been trying to message you, but it is not always easy. When I try to contact you, you wake up and pick up your Kindle and “break the thread”, so to speak, for me to communicate properly. I need to do it when you sleep!
Though I do notice that you still glimpse me by your bed or hear me, I am becoming more stealth-like though, aren’t I? It’s been two months now. everybody else in the house has adapted, except you, Mum. I see you still haven’t put my food bowl away (you should, you know). I see you touch it with three fingers after you fill everyone else’s bowl. Don’t worry, Mum, I am eating, and healthy stuff too!
I know it’s hard to be the one left behind. We had 15 wonderful years together and you gave me so much love, and I gave you my world. But dogs don’t stay on earth for as long as humans because we are just about perfect, you know, our wings are hidden under our fur. Our collars turn into halos (St Francis converts all our collars into halos when we arrive); it’s a simple ceremony. Then we are allowed to run and play and be happy, healed and young again.
Do you know why we are called dogs? Bet you don’t.
Well, when God was creating the world, on the sixth day He created all the animals and named them one by one. At the end of this very long process there was one animal left sitting at his feet. That animal said to the Lord, “You forgot to name me!”.
“No, I did not,” said the Lord, “I saved you for last and I will name you my name spelled backwards: Dog.” Did you know that story, Mum?
I notice that Boss took my advice and that he shares your breakfast every day; I thought you would need that. Buddy follows you around everywhere. I have been watching you from afar. I know you are packing up and finding so many old photos of me as a young dog taken a long time ago, and you look at them and then you cry. Try not to. I had the best life. I was even a happy puppy before I was saved off the streets; that was a lucky day for me.
There are lots of potcakes up here. We are quick learners, so we are allowed to travel on our own quicker than many breeds.
Funny how important we are here and how people at home thought we were worthless. Remember that lady who told you she didn’t want “no potcake”? She wanted a “real dog”. You got really cross with her, didn’t you, Mum? I have never understood why the potcake is not valued in the Bahamas and when we are airlifted to another country everybody wants us.
Incidentally Mum, you had a lot of dogs, I didn’t know that, but I keep meeting new ones. I even met the little dog who bit your face, and you needed all those stitches. She says she is sorry, that you startled her. I told her you knew that.
Angel Archie has built more mud craters for us here. Some of them are seriously creative, you would be amazed. We have Mud Days now. When we are all covered in mud, we jump into a stream and rinse off, the sun dries us off. Angel Archie is watching over his Mum, she misses him a lot, too. She asked me to send you a beautiful sunset the other day, did you like it?
Every day new dogs come up. Snowy is doing a great job greeting the new arrivals and Nimba is so welcoming too; she trots around next to Francis, they speak Italian. You used to listen to Italian music when you were writing your articles for The Tribune, didn’t you, Mum?
I want you to be sure to let everybody know that when they lose a friend, not to be too sad, but remember the great times together and always adopt and give needy dogs a second chance. Everybody should know love. Some of the rescued pups up here have such wonderful stories to tell of the amazing humans who saved them from misery. The best way to honour your beloved dog who has passed is to help another one in distress. The shelter is full of dogs needing a home.
I haven’t been over to see the cats yet, but we all get along. I met the one I used to chase from next door! More about that when I get in touch again.
PET OF THE WEEK A home for Fred
By The Bahamas Humane Society
Fred is an adult potcake looking for a forever home, or a foster home in the meantime.
Fred’s having trouble putting on weight at the shelter and missed out on a chance to go to Michigan because of it. He’s about five years old, has a lovely personality, and is good with other dogs.
Fred needs some tender loving care and people who will see him for the awesome dude that he is. Do you have a place for Fred? Call the Bahamas Humane Society at 323-5138 for more information. Fred looks forward to meeting you!
