Everyone who has come to visit has noticed a change in the air in our home. Everyone thought of Chris as people, and he was quite the presence wherever her was. There's definitely a missing energy in this house now, and his absence is affecting us all. Not only are the two-legged parents still grieving, but the four-legged siblings are as well. In particular, our little husky Fox appeared to be hit the hardest. She and Chris did live together for a while before Jacob, Kandi and Pepino moved in, and she showed her sadness those first few days. The day after it happened, we had Chris' collar in our hands and the little tags clinked together. When they did, Fox ran for Chris' bed, looking for him, and when he wasn't there, she just flopped onto his bed. She also had a tough time eating, but that thankfully has since gone away.
We wanted to thank everyone with their thoughts, emails, texts, and phone calls. We are keeping all of these lovely notes and putting a little book together for us to remember our Christopher. We also requested that the vet take footprints for us to keep, and will be getting those after we receive his ashes. We haven't decided what to do with them, but we are also thinking of getting a miniature orange tree in his honor. For those that don't know, Chris LOVED oranges and orange juice. When he was at his sickest, he would only eat cottage cheese with blueberries and orange juice, so we want to get a small tree we can take with us when/if we ever move.
Had it not been for Chris, we would not have any dogs in our family. Because of him we rescued not only three of our pups (Fox, Jake and Pepino), but we also took in Kandi, and Jen's sisters each adopted a "cousin": Mason and Hiccup. Because Chris was the pioneer, a few dogs were saved from being put down. And someday, another one will be brought in when the time is right into our pack, and our house will be happy again.
And before we sign off, we have read this wonderful poem many times prior to Chris' death, and it's how we try to think of him now.
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| Our first day with Chris |
Just this
side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been
especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are
meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play
together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm
and comfortable.
All the
animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who
were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them
in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content,
except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who
had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but
the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright
eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the
group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and
faster.
You have been spotted, and when you
and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion,
never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands
again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of
your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge
together....
Author unknown...
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| Our last photo shoot with Chris |
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