Monday, September 19, 2016
Bridget has passed away.
This is the story of her last week with us.
Bridget wags her tail now and then, yet she weakens each day. She enjoys riding in her “car,” relaxing in her doggie bed under the pines at our Luna Lake camp, and resting on my chest in the lounger, heartbeat to heartbeat.
Sunday night, the eighth night since Bridget stopped eating, she does not sleep well and her condition deteriorates. Monday morning I wrap her in her blanket and place her in her bed on the front seat of the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
With Reggie alongside in his bed on the floor, the three of us travel our last miles together, north to the veterinary clinic in Springerville.
I stand in the open door of the PTV, stroking Bridget while we wait for the clinic to open. The veterinarian arrives. Leaving Reggie in the PTV, we take Bridget inside the clinic where she gently slips away at approximately 9:20 a.m.
Bridget’s body is wrapped in her blanket and resting in her bed on the seat beside us as Reggie and I return to Alpine.
I find a serene site for her burial. It’s on a slope at the edge of a pine forest.
Nearby, below her place of rest, a creek meanders its way to the San Francisco River. Here and there it slows and forms the reflective pools you see in the photos. I sit on a rock near Bridget’s grave, listening to the whispers of pines and imagining Bridget and Spike exploring the stream bank together.
Tuesday, September 20
Reggie and I return to the grave. Reggie watches me from the PTV as I climb down the bank and wade across the stream. I gather fresh pine needles and sprinkle them around the area to make it tidy.
At first I thought I’d make a marker. Realizing that would draw attention to her spot, I choose instead to place pine cones on her grave. Bridget liked to play with pine cones.
“Goodbye, sweet Bridgie. You lived your life well.”
Thank you, dear readers.
I appreciate your loving support of me and my family over the past week. You are a great comfort.
Reggie and I will stay at Luna Lake a few more days and then we’ll be off to see what lies beyond this bend in the road.
Sunset over Luna Lake, September 19, 2016
rvsue
NOTE: Good news about Rusty and Piper!
Rusty was released from the hospital. He is convalescing under Piper’s watchful eye while camped on Mingus Mountain, Arizona. For details read Rusty’s report near the end of comments under the previous post.
Continue to heal, Rusty, and do what Nurse Piper tells you! — Sue
