Animals

Animal matters Kim Aranha Rainbow Bridge calling again

Well, this certainly has been a very busy period for us up here. Sadly, for you humans, quite a few fur babies have crossed over and put on their forever wings.

Also, sad to say, so have quite a few humans (sad for you that is). The pets who are reunited with their owners are so excited that you would love to see how they greet each other, Mum… talk about happy. Once the human gets to the Rainbow Bridge, then of course the fur babies move on to heaven with the human and settle into eternity with them. Like everything else up here, it is all beautifully organised.

Mum, we need to talk. I have caught you crying tears several times since my last report from here. I know it was not an easy time when I had to leave you, but Mum, you know that we dogs do not live as long as you humans.

There are several reasons for this: Mainly because dogs are as close to perfect as you can get, so we do not need to be on earth for as long as you do, to do good stuff or create a legacy to leave behind. We have mastered the gift of unconditional love pretty well.We also do not carry grudges. Just look how a dog who has been treated badly by a human will still trust another human after the initial test of time.

I explained to you that under normal circumstances we would be born with our angel wings, but it was decided many, many dog years ago that humans would have a really tough time getting their minds around us

PET OF THE WEEK

PHOTO/STEPHANIE HICKMAN

A mature lady as a comfort and companion

By The Bahamas Humane Society

Hazel’s been at the shelter for a very long time. This lovely senior lady is fully housebroken and would love to find a new home of her own (she had one but her owner was unable to take her when they moved). She’s good with most other dogs, not so much with cats, but really wouldn’t mind life as a solo pooch. Have you considered adopting an older dog? None of those puppy antics to cope with! If so, call the Bahamas Humane Society at 323-5138 to find out more about Hazel. Hazel looks forward to meeting you!

• Groceries. BPL. BTC. Geoffrey Jones. Cooking gas. Keshon’s Fashions. Kelly’s. Car gas. Aquapure. D’Albenas. Which of the ten fabulous prizes in the BHS Raffle are you hoping to win? You’ll need a ticket (or two or more) to have a chance! Get yours today at the BHS or at Fox Hill Nursery. Single tickets are $5 or a book of 21 for $100. To borrow a phrase, you can’t win if you don’t play!

having wings, so we keep them invisible until we get up here. Besides, they would get caught if we were to dig under a bush or run through hedges or the forest.

We dogs frequently choose which humans to go to when we see what they need. Everybody needs a fur baby to hear their problems, share their joys, sit with when they are lonely. We don’t mind if you have make-up on or did your hair, we don’t care what party you vote for or if you did well in school. All we want from a human is that they treat us kindly, and we do need love. Love is essential for all pets. We will never reach our full potential if we are not loved. We will survive, but you will never see out real personalities if you don’t give us that required love.

I got so much love in my life that I became a real force to recon with. My personality shone, if I may say so myself. I made my mark everywhere I went and that’s what makes it so difficult for you to let go. Mum. (I know you are getting all teary while you write this for me).

All those families out there who have lost a fur friend, I hear you, we are so special that when we are gone we leave a distinct hole in your lives. I get it. So do you know the best way to honour our passing is to adopt a shelter pet who needs love and a good home? Please never feel that you can’t cope with the pain again. So you don’t want another pet…that is really not a good attitude. The greatest compliment you can pay a fur baby up at Rainbow Bridge is for us to see you looking for a new friend, we will be right beside you while you make the choice, we will even nudge you towards your new and right family member.

I know, Mum, you still have my three “brothers” and one ”sister”, so I am not pushing you…. yet.

I ask people to remember that the best dogs and cats ever come from shelters. We are smart, we are grateful, we know how bad things can get out there so we throw ourselves into our new homes with great enthusiasm and boy can we lov. Then the cycle starts again. We leave you for Rainbow Bridge and you save another needy shelter animal.

Of course, the other thing that distresses me a great deal is that there are so many cats and dogs in our shelter in Nassau looking for homes. We have to get a handle on that soon. That is really for another message from the Bridge.

Mum, dry those tears and remember I had an amazing life. I taught you many things. I was there to show you the true meaning of loyalty and forgiving. I was by your side when things made you sad and I wagged with you when you were super happy. I slept at you side, and loved you every day. It was wonderful, but my time had come.