
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 ... Edna Clyne-Rekhy
FOREVER
SETTERS

Kristen and River Apodaca

The day we went to pick up Truman, we happily scooped him up and put him in a crate in the back seat of the car. We were not a mile up the road when he began to scream. I had no idea that an 9 week old animal could make a noise that dreadful or that loud. I stopped the car, put him in Helen’s lap, and all was good. He got his way and he didn’t forget that – he was a clever little dude.
Truman was indeed the smartest dog I’ve ever had. Mind you, he mastered the requisite skills of obedience quickly, but only so he could demand concessions in return. He was housebroken in a day and responded to commands with little need for repetition. In return, he would sniff where he wanted to sniff on our daily walks. He never barked for barking’s sake – he barked because he wanted something or wanted to go outside. He was a bird dog through and through.
In meeting people, he was always gracious, affable, and polite – he was always Mister Sincere and loving because he truly loved all people and all dogs. He had a wonderful personality. He stood 26" at the withers and weighed as much as 70 pounds, so he commanded a presence - but he was a softie (I say that, knowing that he never started any incident - but never backed down from one). He did have his favorites and you knew if you were a fave. He was the best companion anyone could possibly have. He just loved everybody.
In a bird field, he hunted with power and purpose and displayed his instinct with great aplomb. My most vivid memory is one morning outside of Chester, SC when he abruptly turned west as if he were heading for Spartanburg. I followed and then stopped to listen for him. Suddenly, from out of the west, came a covey of 4-5 Quail with Truman in hot pursuit. The Quail passed less than 10 yards in front of me and Truman came behind them bounding like a deer. As he elevated and accelerated in front of me, he was as high as my shoulders in order to get over the brush. It was the most spectacular display of athleticism I’ve ever seen in a dog.
In the end, it was old age which got him. But, at almost 14 he lived as good and as long a life that a dog could live. We started working from home when he came to live with us, so we were always around each other and I think that’s why he was as confident and self-assured as he was. He brought us so much love and happiness and we gave him as much as we could in return. Our hearts are broken as I write this, but I know we will see him again.
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Lovingly remembered by J. Martin Sondey and Helen Porter

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Cheryl and Jim Pfeiffer