Death And Rememberence

Death has been on my mind this week because of the killings at Virginia Tech and because Christina's dog Lacy died yesterday.

Responding to criticism, the media is providing information on the VT victims. It is heartbreaking. I don't have much to add to all that has been said about the bullying, anger, hatred, the gun purchase, the personalities of the killer and his victims, and the events of that tragic day.

The events of September 11, 2001, are often on my mind as well. I still wish that the buildings would be rebuilt just the way they way. People cannot be replaced, but buildings can.

While racism might have been one of the killer's motivations, I fear that his actions will cause even more racism.

I can only hope that events will cause more kindness, caring, and communication that will prevent such acts of evil.

Lacy was Christina's dog. Lacy had belonged to a friend of hers, but, it became clear that Christina cared more for Lacy, and Lacy became Christina's dog. Lacy was about 6 months old. At an early age, Lacy injured a food, and she was treated by a vet at Austin's South Branch Ped & Bird Clinic, Dr. Ayalsew Mekonnen. This was about 15 years ago... perhaps in 1992... the year that I was preparing to leave my big fancy house in Westlake CA after my marriage to Holly had ended.

Lacy was a sweet dog. I called her "The Queen Of The Universe." She was gentle and thoughtful. She took her time. Like most dogs, she liked being with people and other dogs. She became very close to Christina's dog Toto. Sadly, Toto was accidently killed at an early ago.

Lacy lived with Quincy, but Christina had to find a new home for Quincy.

And then Brownie joined the family. Brownie was active and quick where Lacy was hesitant and slow, but they looked like each other and we almost inseperable for many years.

I don't want to write about Lacy's last weeks, and I don't want to forget the gentleness, kindness, and caring that Lacy brought to our lives. Final arrangements are being handled by the Rainbow Bridge company.

This is one version of the Rainbow Bridge story:

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been 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 was left behind, alive on Earth. They all run and play together, but, every day, 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.

That special person has been seen, and when the human and the pet finally meet, they cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon ther faces; the hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of the pet, so long gone from Earth but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together into Heaven.

Author unknown

There are no happy endings, but there are happy dogs.

Sadly, there are many dogs that have short and miserable lives and never know the love that Lacy had.