A Letter from Dandi Mom and Dad Well, it has been almost three months since I left you and I wanted to let you know that everything is OK with me and that as you said I was reunited with mummy. In fact she was waiting for me as I walked across the Rainbow Bridge. We have done a lot of talking since I have been here and mom said it would be OK if I wrote to you because she knows how much you miss us. I would like to start at the beginning and tell you some of the things that stand out in my life with you. First, while I do not remember my birth, mummy has told me how you stayed with her all night while she was trying to have me and my brother and how he died and I was delivered by the doctor. The first thing I really remember is something soft and warm holding me and it was not mummy. As my eyes opened I was to find out that it was you mom. You often came in and held me gently and talked to me when mummy went outside. You helped her watch me and I knew that you loved me as much as she did. Oh, I know that the others all loved me too but not like you. As I grew and began to run around on my own I became more aware of my surroundings and of my daddy. Mom has told me that most dogs do not ever know there fathers and I was lucky to have one ever if he was always nipping at us being in his food or bed, and finally when he started to bite people she knew he had to be taken away. I missed him for a while but life was quieter and more peaceful after that. Mummy and I did everything together! She continued to mother me my entire life and I loved her so much. (I talked to the dog next door and found out that other dogs do not have their mummies very long either, so I was really lucky!) In fact mummies told me that most dogs are born and given or sold to people far away from the family and never see them again. Mummie came from a doggie breeder far, far away from where she ended up and was lucky to be adopted by you. Many of my doggies never find good homes and some even die as puppies. Time seemed to fly and months turned into years. So fast it seemed like we were getting old and I could see it in many ways. The boys were so tall, and The older one left home. One day you decided to move to a new place where we had never been. You were worried that we would not make the two-day trip OK because of our age. You were also worried that we would not adapt to this new place because it was a lot hotter than home and we have such long hair. Well we did great! We loved it! A little more time passed and mummie began to lose her hearing and I began to lose my sight. It was OK for a long time though because I became her ears and she was my eyes. Until THAT day. Mummie somehow wandered away and did not hear the car as she wandered into the street. You guys went looking for her and when she did not come inside I knew something was very wrong. Then mom you came in and you were crying. You picked me up and cuddled me and then left again with the old blanket from our bed. Later you returned and still you were crying. After several days the crying stopped but mummie never came back and I did not understand why. Days past and my vision was totally gone. Now my hearing was getting so bad I could not hear you when you called me. I knew when it was time to eat though cause my nose was just fine. My sense of touch was just fine too and I would snuzzle around your feet and lick them as long as you would let me. I could feel and taste you and that made me feel more alive. I know I got under your feet a lot and I am so sorry. I was just trying to find my water or food dish or my papers to go potty. Then I could not find them easily and went on the floor and I know that had to be difficult got you. One night I remember going potty and then a while later when I laid down it was all gooey. I must have lain in that poop because when you out there I found myself getting another bath. And it seemed you were always cleaning the floor in my room. As time for your trip to see someone came closer CaliCat told me she had heard that I could not because of my age and problems I could not be left with her this time. "What would they do" I wondered? Well, for some time you would come out and talk to me a long time and I knew you were sad by the tears falling on me. Then one day I was put into my kennel and the only time I was ever in that was to travel or go to the vets to be groomed This time it was to the vets but the smells here were different. It seemed like a long time to me but you and dad were standing over me and crying and hugging me. Then I felt a stinging in my leg and everything seemed to float around me. Suddenly I could see and hear again. My legs no longer ached and I felt like a puppy for the first time in years. The next thing I remember is standing at the start of this beautiful bridge that had been made out of the rainbow. Someone beckoned to me and I slowly started to walk across the bridge. As I walked the one that was calling to me became more and more clear and I saw that it was mummie and I began to run faster and faster towards her. The other dogs were there too all wagging their tails and running around. Mummie was so glad to see me and I was even happier to see her. Mom, Dad, I want you to Know something. I know you hated what you did, but please, know that I always loved you and always will. You did what had to be done and I am here, with mummie again and we are reunited as we always were in life and as we shall remain for all etermity. Love always TASHU'S DANDILION 3-12-81 TO 11-24-97