Goodbye my little buddy...

[Wagonburner]

I know it's been a long time, but I feel like it was yesterday. I had to put Stubby down last December. He was an orange tabby(I think). He had liver problems and wouldn't eat. When I hand fed him he would throw up. I feel like I killed him and a huge portion of me died with him.

I rescued him from where I was working about 12 years ago. I shunted trailers at a factory and one day he followed me and a buddy to the coffee shop and back. Somebody drove up, asked if he was mine, and gave him a donut. It was the first time I saw him, and after that I would share my lunch. At first, I gave him the crust of my sandwiches, but I noticed anybody who gave him food always gave scraps. I felt bad for him so I started eating the crusts and gave him the good part. I didn't think of it at first, but since I already had cats, I started taking food for him and a bowl for water.

He got his name because his tail was half missing. Until I brought him home, it was always bleeding. He was scared of trucks, but after some time, he would sleep on my lap in the cab. Eventually, if I nodded off (I worked 12 hour nights), I would wake to find him on the hood looking in and hollering.

I rescued him once from a coyote, and from some idiot walking his dog. Stubby was under one of the trailers, while the idiot was on one side with a stick trying to scare him out to the dog on the other side. I went up one side and down the other of this idiot and never saw him again. He was bitten a few times by the coyote, but nothing too serious.

I finally took him home, but he wouldn't use the litter and growled everytime I went near him, so I took him back. When winter was almost on us, I tried again, and he stayed until the end. Once he was good and settled, I took him to the vet for a checkup and dental work. He would sleep with me, sit next to me, wherever I was, and greet me when I came in. I've never had a closer bond to any of my pets. I know it was probably the best thing for him, but I can't help feeling that I let him down in the end.

Since I'm a guy, I can't believe I'm sitting here crying. I miss Stubby. He truly was my little buddy.

Cherish every moment. Peace
Wagonburner

[Dirty Harry]

You are an animal rescuer my friend, something to be proud of. I am one also.
We have five dogs and three cats. One cat is a stray we took in two years ago. He is an orange tabby with a nub of a tail and we call him Bob.

Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch


It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.


He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.


With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.


One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.


"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."


The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.


"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.


"What happened?"


"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."


"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.


"So does GOD", was the reply.

[Wagonburner]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I was choked up from that as much as I was writing about Stubby. It sounds like you have your hands full.

With my health problems it seems that I'm better with animals than people. I never saw myself as a rescuer. It just seemed like the right thing to do. For some reason animals seem to like me. Not every single one, but the greater majority.

Two of the cats I have now needed help. One was on the way to the Humane Society, and the other in a potentially bad situation. Another stray I took in ended up spraying, so I couldn't keep him. Fortunately I talked the neighbors into taking him, and I loaned money for supplies (which I never got back). I also put down food and water when strays show up.

All in all, I'd say they bring me more happiness than I bring them. Thanks again, and have a great day.

[Cultosaurus]

Darn you !!! .. you reminded me of mine. He's been gone 10 years, but I still miss him. Best little friend I've ever had. Never worry about crying over one, damn you, you have me doing it now. I miss my Spyder. He got his name from having a very long tail, like a Spider Monkey. He'd fit in my shirt pocket and his long tail would still stick out, like a Spider Monkey's tail.

[Wagonburner]

Yeah, hey sorry 'bout that. It just pops up in the mind every now and then. Too sensitive and emotional I guess. Workin' on that...

Don't tell anybody I said so, but it's good to get it out sometimes. I don't try to forget, that just happens. The trick is trying to remember.

Have a great day,

Peace