Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
-Irish Saying-
It has only been a matter of 3-4 days that I have had the opportunity of knowing Chewie, yet she has left such an indelible mark in my heart even though I am not her primary caregiver.
As I sat here last night, writing a memoriam for Chewie, knowing that is perhaps that would be only thing I could do for her memory that is befitting of a hero, besides sending her thoughts of loving-kindness as she begins her new life, I wept.
My alpha-cat, Cow, came in immediately, mewing, and rubbed his face against my leg and told me, in his own special way, that everything will be okay. Animals are always there for you, especially when you are sad. They have this uncanny knack of just knowing and even though they cannot speak, they provide so much comfort when you need it most. No wonder they always say that your animal-companions will always be your best friends.
Our friend and volunteer, Mr Lim, had offered to give Chewie's remains a resting place in his back garden. So, this morning, we all brought Chewie there and gave her a loving send-off.
Amidst the Metta Chant, we all stood silently, said our prayers and wished Chewie a happy new life in a better place now.
Fresh flowers from my garden, which I plucked this morning, one from each one of us. I placed a blossom on Chewie before we committed her to the Earth. Lina and friends brought her soft toy along and buried it together.
It may have been just barely a week, but Chewie had a great life, surrounded by so much love and care.
For me, personally, solace and comfort are derived from knowing we have done our very best for every animal that has crossed our path, given her all the love and care that we possibly can, and when she dies, rebirth is immediate; this life ends and another life begins, and usually, it would be in a better state of wellbeing, free from the suffering (if any) of this previous life. If one leaves this moment with a lot of love, one is likely to be reborn in a similar state in the next moment. That is how I comfort myself when an animal dies.
For some, all good people (including animals, definitely) go to Heaven, so that's comforting too.
For yet others, there is a universal "catness" or a "dogness" (or, a "Oneness", if you like) that one returns to after this life expires. We are all made of energy, and we merge with the Universal Energy again when this physical form expires.
I'd like to believe, from my limited experience in looking after dying animals, that animals know when to let go. When conditions are no longer favourable for them to continue in this existence, they will let go and return to that "Oneness" with Nature.
And usually, they will get better to let us know that we've made them happy and well, and then, when we are not looking, they take their leave. Vixey did that. So did Mac. And, Wendy did that, too.
And for most pet-lovers, we derive comfort in the legend of the Rainbow Bridge.
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....
And even for those who never found homes....they are not left out....
The Rescuers' Rainbow Bridge
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."
"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.
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