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Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003-8:58 p.m.
"Dog biscuits and Rainbow Paws"
Of course, 9-11 is on everyone's minds today- it's the topic du jour, and I hope you'll forgive me for wanting to post anything ELSE on the topic (seeing as everyone else probably does too)... The thing is, well- You may or may not know, 9-11 was the first day I ever read ANY Diaryland diaries! Interestingly enough... I still recall some of the entries I read. Forgive. Today my otherhalf and I went out to grab supper at a fast food place across the main strip from where we live- the little place I used to go with Axel to get lunch. They were always trying to feed him SOMETHING. A chip, a crispy, a taco, you name it... I always had to fend off the lunch-hour crew, to make them understand only AFTER I ate and was ready to go, could Axel have his treat- never IN the restraunt- them's just the rules, darnit! ...but they really *waited* and lurked about, even playfully 'fought' over who got to feed him a treat, outside after the meal. (chuckle) I never could say no! I always commented, that people food isn't always good for people, much less dogs... to try and apologize for why I couldn't let them ALL feed him just anything, all the time I guess. So today, when we went for dinner, I was surprised, and kind of sniffly-eyed, to see perched behind the counter, a HUGE box... the HUGEST box of the BIGGEST damn dog biscuits I have ever seen, made by a prominant 'healthy dog treats' company. (For BIG dogs, the box declares...) I was touched, you know- sure, Axel wasn't the only dog they ever got there, I'm quite sure- but you know they were thinking of him in part, when they bought that box of cookies. I'm sad that they didn't get to give him one, but I know he would have appreciated it! :) It's sad and sweet, and well... it made me think of this rather ten-hankie kind of post i'd seen elsewhere, and squirreled away on the hard drive- forgive me for posting it now- it just... it seemed a good time to pass it around, all things considered. --- On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And, they were. An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for? We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens. Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment. An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be. They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4,000 loving people had left Earth long before they were ready. All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?" "I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses forever." One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming? I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss. Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love." Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share each tail wagging an American Flag. Author Unknown
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