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It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beautiful Bear (Red #09-492). It has been months since we helped him cross the Bridge, and sometimes I wonder if it will ever become easier to say those words.
Bear came into our lives 7 years ago this upcoming New Year's. We had recently lost our very first RAGOM adopted boy, Murphy, at the very young age of 5 1/2 to cancer. Though I really didn't feel that I could take another dog into our home, our kids felt differently, and our then 2 year old Belle really needed another dog. The kids started scanning the Available Dogs page, and immediately latched onto a very sweet boy, who had been left tied up outside of a shelter on Thanksgiving evening. His story, his face, and most of all, his beautiful eyes, grabbed us all, and shortly thereafter, he came "home." I will be forever grateful to his fosters, Janet and Dale F., for choosing us to become his forever family. I learned a lot from Bear over the years, but one of the very first things was the art of forgiveness. It pained me deeply that this dog with the soulful eyes had been tied up outside in the cold and dark, watching his family drive away. I was furious that someone could do this to him. Yet...in very short order, we realized that Bear was a dog that had been very loved. He was uncomplicated, sweet, and forever loyal. His life revolved around walks, food, and tennis balls. He didn't care about his past, he only cared about "now." It made me realize that people need to surrender dogs for all sorts of reasons, and this realization helped me become a much better foster and adoptive parent. Bear's people made sure that he would be found, and that he would be cared for. I hope that someday they will know that life turned out just fine for Bear. Bear was the best brother ever to a very dominant Belle, and accepted her authority in his perpetual good natured way. Over the years, he became an adoptive brother to two additional RAGOM boys, Duke and Nugget, and was perpetually a calm and soothing influence to many foster brothers and sisters, including our special hospice boys, Red and Wilson, who lived out the rest of their lives with us. I find comfort in knowing he was greeted by many beloved friends when he crossed the Bridge. The years passed by oh so very quickly and happily with our Bear. I always meant to write updates about his life with us, but always thought I had more time. But then in a heartbeat, everything changed, with the onset of a small bloody nose. With barely any time to process or prepare, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and it was unbelievably time to let him go. We held him tight, fed him ginger snap cookies and kissed his sugary face, and then told him how very much we loved him. He was our "heart" dog. There will never be another Bear. Bear was known to those of us who loved him most as "Hank the Farm Dog," as without a doubt, his favorite place on this earth was the farm up north. I smile and feel some peace as I realize what the Rainbow Bridge is for our Bear/Hank: It is one vast, beautiful farm, with cool, sparkling rivers to paddle around in to his heart's content; with gardens that he can rest in with nobody telling him to get out; with unlimited tennis balls that never get lost or stolen; with plenty of bacon that doesn't always need to be shared with other dogs; and of course, that one big pick-up truck, that he can strongly leap into, and joyfully tell the world who is boss. We will always love you, Bear, and will never stop missing you. Until we meet again, run strong and free, and take care of that big farm across the Bridge. It can't help but be an even better place with you there to watch over it. |
Andy 07-406
