The Earth Abides

A long, long time ago I read a book about what the world would be like after a great human die off. The title of the book was "The Earth Abides" and it got me thinking about the transient nature of life and the permanent nature of the world we inhabit. It gives me a bit of peace to know that each of us lives on despite bad things happening.

Fifty thousand years ago man and dog found that they could live together and together both would benefit from that arrangement. Besides their skills that benefit man what dogs brought to the relationship were love, devotion and a belief that humans were special and that dog was privileged to share their time with man.

In our household of dog, cat and human we know that each of the pets is special and that they are here to bring comfort and admiration to the humans who give love, comfort and companionship to the pet. But on a brilliant Easter morning one of those special dogs who allowed us to be with them needed to cross the Rainbow Bridge to join with other companions who had gone before him.

Jean Luc, a mixed Papillion and Chihuahua friend who is one of the smartest dogs we know was 22 years old, had only three legs and was, in his mind, still a vibrant eager service dog. Trained to recognize the need for the compassionate touch he reached out and comforted First Responders at disasters. At this moment we need him to offer his special service to us but he can only do so in our memory.

Easter is a day of resurrection, not a day for sorrow, but when it’s time to cross the Rainbow Bridge or transit the River Styx we must comply. We also know that this day of resurrection applies to us and that the Elysian Field will bring humans and pets together again.  But we miss our friend while knowing he will always be a part of our lives, makes the parting a little easier. But it will be long time before the rip in our hearts is healed.

                                    Jean Luc

                                    1990 – 2012

                                    Companion and Friend