Golden Joe's Adventure
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Joe
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In the Summer of 2004, we had just celebrated a year of living at our new home at Bear Creek. The girls were still quite young, but I had promised them a puppy when we became settled. Fortunately, a friend at work learned about a new litter of Golden Retriever puppies that were born on April 1 in Vancouver, Washington.
One Saturday morning, we drove to see the litter of Goldens. The first pup we saw was Joe - but he was originally named "Tank" by the breeder due to his large size compared to the rest of the pups. He was beautiful, energetic and loving.
Within the first couple of weeks, we took Joe on a camping trip to Timothy Lake. From the beginning, he was mostly a very docile pup compared to many. He slept a lot, chewed very little and was a quick learner. Our daughters soon became attached to the little guy and before long he was a fixture of our family.
The past fourteen years have been the greatest of my life and I give this wonderful creature a lot of the credit. He made my family laugh and cry. With us, he shared some of our greatest memories.
Joe displayed honest, unconditional love - always. He would pose for many pictures, greet us when we came home, fetch many tennis balls, let the girls crawl all over him without concern and was loyal until his final breath.
The past month has been difficult as we've had to watch Joe's health decline and this past week, I had to make the difficult decision to end his suffering. It was the most difficult decision of my life. During his last evening, we all slept with him on the living-room floor. I caressed his head and told him repeatedly what he meant to me.
I read that Goldens do not easily express pain and I think that was true with Joe until the end. He simply loved my family until the end. I'm so thankful that God provided me with one of His greatest creations.
Here is a video tribute of Joe's life. I'll never forget him.
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.
