The Saga of My Dogs at the ‘Rainbow Bridge’

A 3-part Saga

“Diva: Warrior Canine”

I wanted to share something with you that happened recently. I don’t really know where to start, so I’ll start from the very beginning.

My parents had five dogs. It wasn’t even like having five separate dogs; it was like having a whole pack in the house. Every time someone came to the door, a bird chirped, or they just felt like it, they’d all flock together; a wave of black, Portuguese Water Dog hair blurring by, announcing the oddity. That was back in 2005. Our dogs were named Diva, Forte, Chiqui, Torrie, and Roxie. All of our dogs had extremely different personalities and oddly enough they seemed to reflect their namesakes.

Diva was the most headstrong dog I’ve ever known. Also, despite her having extremely severe hip-dysplasia, she managed to stay healthy through it all. And by ‘all’ I mean I was in Kindergarten when we got her and I was a typical forgetful child. I left my Halloween candy out for several years in a row, and even after she consumed all of it she was fine. I remember coming home to find all of my hard-earned candy splayed out on the floor, in distinct piles of untouched suckers, chocolate candy wrappers which she precisely peeled off, and chewy candies that were gnawed on, but not eaten.

She loved her chocolate. And Barbies. Let’s just say I had Dr. Barbie who I would pretend was an amputee because Diva chewed half of her arm off. Don’t worry; she survived the surgery she performed on herself.
Diva always dazzled us with her amazing talents and intellect. She was our first Portuguese Water Dog and we were naive to the depth of things she could learn.

Sure there were the typical “Sit”, “Down”, “Stay”, but she brought things to a whole new level. Even without direction from us she knew “Take the loaf of bread off the counter and hide the pieces under the dog bed so you can eat it later” trick. There was a particular instance where she stole leftover pancakes off of the counter (they were pretty far back on the counter, too) and hid the ones she couldn’t eat right away in several different locations. These included in the couch cushions, in the bathroom near the garbage and, unbeknownst to my mom (and which delivered quite a shock), in between my parents’ bed sheets.
She never stopped making us laugh even though we knew we should scold her.

We had a kitty when Diva was around named Ariel. Ariel (named after Disney’s the Little Mermaid because she didn’t like water), hated Diva with a fiery passion. Every time she looked at Diva, she winced and her wide eyes burned deep green. This may have been because one of Diva’s favorite pastimes was to “play” with the kitty.

She’d bark as to startle, and thus be able to chase her. On one very memorable occasion, Diva cornered the cat. Instead of leaving her alone, Diva placed her mouth over the Ariel’s head and dragged her across the room. My mom and I were panicked. Yelling at Diva, we finally recovered the cat. She was perfectly fine – Diva had only held her head with her mouth. Ariel’s canine-spittled head was priceless, though, and I don’t know if I ever laughed harder than at that moment.

I could go on and on about the humor, joy, and love Diva gave, but I’m sure you have better things to do. :) She was bull-headed, but deep down she was a kind soul and there was so much trust and loyalty. Thinking her body would give out before her mind, Diva turned 5.. 6.. 7.. The doctors had told us she wouldn’t walk past 4 without elective hip-replacement surgery, and we didn’t want her to suffer through being caged for rehabilitation for 6 months. 8.. 9.. 10.. Her eyes started to cloud with age.. Her coat grayed.. Her teeth yellowed.. 11.. 12.. 13..

She was 14 and a half before we had to put her down. She was almost completely blind and deaf, and it was getting hard for her to get up. We knew it was time when we had gone out for the day, and when we returned we found her under our kitchen table crying. She had become trapped underneath and couldn’t find her way out. There were little splashes of blood everywhere from her hitting her head on the table and chairs. It was devastating.

We knew it had gone too far; she was no longer enjoying her life, and we were being selfish keeping her in it. It was a sad day, yet it made me remember all of her amazing times, all of her accomplishments and her companionship. She will be missed, but I know she’s in a better place.
She’ll be waiting for me at 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…. “ – Author Unknown

Next month I’ll continue the “Rainbow Bridge” saga with “My Best Friend, My Companion: Forte”. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

And remember, Every Good Day has its Dog!