Your Puppyhood…
You were the most loving puppy and so easy to house train. When you were 9 months old, you were diagnosed with hip dysplasia. You were so brave during your surgeries. You were in a confined area so you would not hurt yourself at home during your recovery and you needed help with a sling under your tummy to go out to do your business. This lasted for 3 months. Each day you gained strength and finally you could walk on your own.
Before that time for some reason you loved to blow
bubbles in the commode and even in the bathtub. I remember trying to keep all of the lids down, but you managed to still find water even in your water bowl; you loved to just blow your bubbles.
You enjoyed playing outside with your sister Brooke and cuddling with her inside. You loved to play your “hunt game” outside and check out every tree and bush. You never caught anything, but you tried. Your eyes reminded me of “angel eyes” because they had a natural eye liner at the bottom. I loved your eyes. It was like looking into the “tunnels of love” and I could see forever your love.
When you blew a ligament, you had to have another surgery. Again, you were a trooper. You handled things and life with strength and you were so laid back. You took everything in stride. I remember taking you on car rides and I would have to take paper towels because you got car sick, but you finally outgrow this.
Your Adulthood…
Over the next nine years that you were with us, you taught us how to deal with life and with strength as you endured so much with
your “disability” with your hips.
We could have given you back to the breeder, but we just could never do that. You were our baby and we wanted the best care for you.
In November 2006 you developed Cushings Disease. We almost lost you due to your reaction to the medication. Each day for 24/7
you were hand fed and cared for. You improved each day and finally could walk on your own. I was so happy to see you finally feeling better. With your PRA, you did have problems with depth preception so you did need help with coming down stairs. We always were
beside you to help you.
When we got your sistermate Breeze in May of 2005, you took over motherhood. You would lick Breeze and cuddle Breeze like she were your own puppy and Breeze gave that love back to you. Breeze always loved to “gum” your ears and you always had “wet ears”, but you loved this and it relaxed you. Breeze would lay on her
back and just gum away. The Three “B’s”..Brooke, Bridge and Breeze and what a loving threesome you were and to each other.
In January, we had x-rays done for you during your checkup and they discovered something was going on. They put you on special medication due to your liver function levels were elevated. You were tested every several weeks. You seem to be doing much better and you did rally during our Christmas holiday. You gave mommy a very special
Christmas Gift knowing that you were feeling better. That was the greatest gift of all.
This past weekend, you started to show signs of Yellow Jaundice and we rushed you to the vets emergency. They put you on IV and they were going to do a biopsy of your liver. On Monday you took a turn for the worse and Dr. C did exploratory surgery on you only to discover that you were filled with cancer inside. I cried and cried and cried. I wanted to be with you to say “I Love You”. You were still droggy from the surgery, but I know with your last beat of your heart, you knew that I was with you. Judy even sang “Over the Rainbow” for you. You went so peacefully. I take comfort in knowing that you are now healthy and running like a puppy again.
Before I went in to say goodbye and was crying, there was a very large golden retriever that came into the waiting room and he “stood up” right beside me and started licking my face and cuddling with me and I hugged him back. I know that you were communicating with this dear one because you could not lick my face so you were using him to do this for you.
Thank you, my honey Bridge, for all your love, strength and giving that you have given to all of us. You are truly an angel with those special eyes now shining brightly. I will look to the sky at night and see a special star. This star is “Bridge”, the connection between heaven and earth…and I will be with you someday.
In the spring, I will scatter some of your cremains in our memorial rose garden. I have a lock of your hair from your ears and have a special keepsake box that this has been placed along with your beautiful pictures that surround the house. No matter where I go,
you follow me….
Wait for me, my honey Bridge….
My “Bridge” called Love…
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Your Sistermate “Brooke” has now joined you on your birthday, dear ones on November 7, 2007. May you both find your ever living bond and run free and “walk the line” as you both always did..
We will follow in our hearts.
With love from all of my heart to yours,
| Carole Miller |