Mike's Welcoming Committee

If it is Mike's turn to go and he goes the Bridge, after all the other pets have said hello, he might look out for a North American Shorthair Tabby (white belly, brown back with black tiger stripe and green eyes) named Misty. She will probably be off in a spot by herself. She thought she was human and wasn't all that concerned with carousing with other four-legged ones. She's talkative, too, once she knows you. My first wife named her Misty, after the song by Harold Arlen.

Here she is on my chest, back in 2004.

If he sees my first wife, Deidre, he must stick around long enough to hear her rendition of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 in C minor. ( She was classically trained and had a BA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Meadow School of Arts at Southern Methodist University. Her instructor was Alfred Moulideaux, pianist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.)

He might also run into Tommy Trimble, a dear friend of mine and one of the coolest guys you will meet. And Tony, a michigander by birth, but a heart as big as Texas. And John Griffin. And my mother, Cookie Hall. Meeting her is almost like meeting me. My father, Ken, is kind of easy to pick out of a crowd. 6' 9" with a buzz cut.

I am sorry to hear that Mike is doing so poorly but I hope for peace and joy for him if he can't stay with you.

I just sent you an email -- I'll send you Tails Across Rainbow Bridge if he wants it. 

There's about 50 places on here where I've posted about Foxy the Mostlie Sheltie "running" across the Bridge and he will be somewhere pretty darned close to Dancer (if ever two dogs were destined to be friends those two were!).

That's Foxy the MOstlie Sheltie in the middle, Muffin the Intrepid on the right and Ms. Socks on the left.  All three are at the Bridge now.

Go to this link -- it's too big to publish as a picture -- to see Prissy (my very first dog and senior resident at the Bridge)

http://www.critturs.com/prissy.html

Critturs is on a new server so I can't put Pip's picture up and some of the others I need to. 

to be continued ...

Anne, I have no words to express how I feel.  I don't feel right in a way responding since so many of the others have known you so long and it feels a little presumptious of me to say how very sorry I am that Mike is so ill and so close to death.  I hope with all of my heart that some of the love that has been expressed for you will help you find some comfort.  You have impressed me with your wisdom and kindness and I truly can say that Mike must be very special to have earned your love and devotion.  I have dogs waiting at the bridge.   Magic is my heart dog and she will give kisses and cuddle as long as allowed.  Tia, Hoss, Ginger, Pepperand Andy are all waiting and longing to give Mike a kiss. You are in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry that I haven't seen this thread before now.  Rusty will be there for sure, as will Mr. Ears, waiting for a lap to curl up in (and hopefully still the size he was when he left us all too young)

Anne, gosh, I don't know what to say to help you.  You've shared so much of your life with this wonderful man and it hurts me to know how empty you'll feel when he leaves this earth.  Mike is going to a wonderful place, but those left behind will hurt so badly.  You know that I'm here for you, whenever you need me, whatever you need me for.  My heart aches for you.

As much as you and Mike love one another, he'll always be with you in some ways.  I hope that knowing that will bring you a bit of comfort.

And we'll keep praying for a miracle.  And failing that, a gentle crossing.

Hugs honey.  You are both in my heart and thoughts.

Dear Anne, my heart is breaking for you.  I wish that you & Mike will still get your earthly miracle.

Dancer, are you ready for my list?  If you or Mike need to play ball until his arm will fall off then my Lucy (heart girl) is the one for him.  She's also great for a kiss or 30.  You might find Bob sitting on my mom's lap.  They'll both be in a sunny spot with the blue sky making their blue eyes even more blue.  If you want a lap kitty there is Brynn.  She wasn't the smartest kitty in the world but no one could top her sweetness.  Then there's Ricco.  He was a kitty that thought he was a dog.  His best friend was Lucy.  Dancer, if you have time, maybe you could round up a few critters that died not knowing any love or a warm place to sleep with a full belly.  From what I hear, your dad has a big enough heart to give them some extra lovings.

 Oh Anne, I am so sorry and will be lifting you both up in my thoughts and prayers. It sounds like Mike will have quite the welcome and maybe if he isn't too busy he could give some of my old friends a hug and a kiss for me. I know they'll be there to greet him.

Liza - my very first dog, a doodle of some kind (long before Doodle were a designer dog), black, small and shy. She'll be happy to join the lap dog rotation.

Lily - small stature Bouvier, furry and stoic. My first heart dog. She'll be the one watching from a distance over the rest and if he ever needs a friend to sit quietly with, she's a great listener.

Minute - Copper penny shinny, chestnut thoroughbred who would love to take Mike for a ride, and maybe jump the moon a few times. He'll know her by her huge extended trot and one white sock on her hind left leg. She'll also probably mug him for treats.

Jake Jake - black and tan Aussie who went to the bridge a few weeks ago. He was only with us (fostered) for a few months, but it would be great if Mike could give him some love. Jake deserved better than the raw deal he got on earth and I know he'd love a cuddle, or ten, or twenty.

And if Mike is ever looking for a party, have him find "The King" -- That's my grandfather and he'll be great company along with all of Mike's other friends.
 

Anne I am so sorry to hear about Mike.  It has been awhile and I was praying that things were looking up.  Please have Mike and Dancer play ball or frisbee with my sweet Shadow, I am sure he would lay on lots of love and kisses as he is quite the ball player.

Look around for a very regal very large loving Rottie, Bear.  He will be most likely watching over everyone at the bridge, maybe even taking a nap in the sunshine.

You will also find 3 beautiful Bassets with their nose to the ground, Missy, Buster and Lacey.  Missy may be followed by her pups,she was stolen from us before the pups were  born on Chistmas eve many years ago.

There will be LADY, a Terrier mix that will most likely be sitting in the sun waiting for someone to share a treat with her. 

Bear the Keeshound/Boxer Mix, Catfish the Mastiff mix, Starsky the Irish Setter/mix,

Last but certainly not leased my very first pets; Thunder the Dobie that thought he was a pug and Sir Boliver the pug king og the neighborhood

Look up my Granny, she will be the fiesty one baking nut bread, give her hugs and kisses for me. 

You can find a good Pitch game if you look for Daddy in law Lonnie, Uncle Harlan, Uncle Chuck, Uncle Cotton, Aunt Junie.....watch out tho they are pretty serious about their pitch and it has been said Daddy Lonnie cheats

Mike and Anne my prayers are with you!  We are praying that it is not your time yet but if you do cross the bridge we will celebrate your going home to those that went before you.

Spiritdogs, my prayers and thoughts are going to you and Mike right now.

I have just one dog at the bridge, but I know she will be extra lovely with him. She is a white and beige mutt, called Sifrina, that probably will give him lots of kisses and shaky eyelashes. Also my turtles, Teseo and Lily will be there giving a quiet company.

My heart goes to you and I really hope for the miracle, as Annie. Keep praying!

Tell Mike to watch over Nimbus my sweet boy that flew out of the house he was just a baby. Also tell  him to watch over Negra, she has a twisted leg that limites her and slows her down. It doesn't slow her down to get cuddle though she loves to talk too. Tell him that I send regards to Kiddles (1st) we didn't get to know each other really well but I enjoyed her short company. All the animals that have gone thru my life and that I dn't know if they are there, if he sees them tell them I send my regards. Tell him that Brazil will sing him sweet melodies.

I can't stop crying......

 Oh good lord.  I can't believe I'm crying so much over something on an internet forum... My heart really is going out to you.  I may not always have piped up on the "prayer threads", but I DID read them and I did send my prayers out for you both.

There are a couple of special ones he might want to look out for at the bridge.  There's a black Lab X who looks completely unremarkable...  looks are deceiving though.  There is not a dog anywhere who is more devoted, loyal, loving and forgiving, who is so in tune with the people around her and is drawn to those who need her most.

It's been a long time since she heard her name, seeing as she went deaf early in life thanks to an RTA, but if he calls for "Bess" I am sure she will hear and remember.

There's a cat too, a long haired grey duchess of a cat with the mst beutiful hints of auburn in her fur.  She may not deign to acknowledge him because she is a bit of a snob, but ask him to pass on my regards because she is still missed.

 This poem gave me some comfort when we were facing the passing of my Dad and during the tricky time just after...

Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other

That we are still

Call me by my old familiar name

Speak to me in the easy way you always used

Put no difference into your tone

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes we always enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was

Let it be spoken without effort

Without the ghost of a shadow in it

Life means all that it ever meant

It is the same as it ever was

There is absolute unbroken continuity

What is death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind

Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you for an interval

Somewhere very near

Just around the corner

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost

One brief moment and all will be as it was before 

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

 (Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral)

 Michael Happy Medicine Bear Perley passed away today just after noon, and took my heart with him.  I have never been so devastatingly alone, and I can scarcely see to type through my tears.  But, I wanted you all to know that Mike knew about this thread, and thought it was awesome that you all would put him in your prayers while remembering your own sweet ones at the Bridge.  We had always talked about him sending me a message, and joked that it had better not be red tailed hawks, lest I not be able to tell his communications from Dancer and Bub (horse), who send me messages all the time.  Today, about two hours after he passed, I was still in the room, waiting for the hospital staff to come for him (we had already done some ceremonies, and he was clean and had all the items he wanted to have close by).  I looked out the window, and what came flying by (six floors up, mind you) but a small hawk - unmistakably a hawk and, yet, NOT a red tail.  Who says there are no miracles? 

 I am very sorry.  I am thinking of you.