Well done, my little Tin Soldier......

Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge is the theme of a work of poetic prose written some time between 1980 and 1992, whose original creator is unknown. The theme is of an other-worldly place to which a pet goes upon its death, eventually to be reunited with its owner.
    • Gold Top Dog

    Well done, my little Tin Soldier......

    Toby has gone home.

    For the past 8 months I have had the honor to have in my home a 13 or 14 yr old Yorkie.  I named him Toby.  He was living on the street.  His only crime was getting old.  He was blind, deaf, stiff with arthritis.  He was  diagnosed with congestive heart failure and liver disease shortly after I took him in.

    For the passed 8mos Toby has seen his vet and his groomer regularly.  He ate fresh, healthful food instead of something from a torn garbage bag.  He loved going for rides.  He couldn't see, and couldn't run, but he knew he was on the move.  He got so energized after his outings.  Toby was now safe in his very large, very safe, very own backyard.  Toby also had family.... another Yorkie, a Tzu and a Pom.  And don't forget the lifelong supply of hugs and cuddles.

    I will miss him.  I hope I gave him all he needed. 

    His stiff little legs are in pain no more. The swelling in his liver has stopped. His tiny little lungs breathed so gently, as off to sleep he dropped.

    His blind little eyes knew the way, and his deaf little ears know the words I would say. “I’m proud of you buddy, a job well done”, and I promised to stay by his side. I kissed his head and held him to my heart. Then my little one died.

     

     

     

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Ahhh, Toby WELL DONE.  And when he skidded to a stop at the bottom of Rainbow Bridge, he probably did a quick flip and said "whoooooooaaaaaaaaaaa LOOKIT this!! Get ME!!!!!"  And among the many there with Trinket to greet him was a little schnauzer/poodle mix named Curley, and a boxer/pit with a ball in her mouth named Ms. Socks -- both of whom grinned at each other and said "Sometimz the BESTEST homes are the last ones, but man -- you gots time now ... tell US allllllll abouts it 'k???"

    Aren't 'elderly' dogs great?  I love the best of all.  I love their character, their grace-under-fire, their incredible love and appreciation for "little things" which to them are BIG things like ... decent food, cuddles, someone caring whether they are 'in' or out. 

    Toby, it will take you a while just to meet everubddy.  But RUN Toby RUN ... 'cos you can now.  Just plain have fun ...

    Thanks for sharing him with us again. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    You were loved, Toby, you've earned your rest and release from pain.  Run free!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Run free sweet Toby,  please give my dear Shadow lots of kisses from me.

    • Bronze

    Thank you for giving Toby a wonderful home for the last year of his life. I'm sure he loved the hugs, kisses and love you provided as well as the companionship of your other dogs. He will always be part of your heart. There is something so special about a senior dog, even though they have physical needs, they are so appreciative of life and all the love and care they receive from their family.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Run free Toby!

    I'm sure that is is racing around, enjoying all the sights and sounds of the huge field where all those pets are greeting him.

    • Gold Top Dog

    My favorite part of the Rainbow Bridge stuff, TRULY, is getting to imagine any dog's pure sheer pleasure when they realize they can run, jump, leap, get wet, roll in anything they want and do it all as long as they WANT without anyone saying 'no'.  Think about it folks -- doesn't that just define the essence of 'heaven' for most dogs. 

    And for those for whom 'curl up *with*' is their thing ... there are (I'm convinced) always angels needing down time. 

    Dunno what it was about Toby's story this morning that truly zoomed thru me -- mostly thinking about how much some of them deserve their rest, I guess. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    What a beautiful gift Toby was given - the gift of true love.   You're an angel for seeing him through his last months and over to the wonderful rainbow bridge.    Like Callie, I can see him at the bridge saying "you should FEEL the love I got to feel !   it was a MIRACLE - my heart and my soul had no more pain.   And now my body has no more pain either !  I'm the luckiest dog ever and I know that angels will surround my family on earth for all they've done for me"