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Life and Times of Kippy

Rainbow Bridge

Dear Mommy,

I got here the evening of December 9th. You were right. It is a beautiful place! I am sorry to take so long to contact you, but I have been busy meeting everyone and catching up with many dogs that our family knew. There is a brindle boxer waiting here for you. His name is Lucky and he says he lived with you for 14 years when you were a child. I told him about our life together and he says his was just as wonderful with you. Your brother picked up Bumper on his way. Pepper is waiting for Aunt Barbara. Your dad picked up Duffer, Shadow, Stubby, Tubby and several other dogs and a monkey whose name I never got. Your Mom picked up Coppy.
I feel great! It is warm and there is plenty of water and yummy food. We play and sleep and dream about our families. I am so happy! I don’t cough anymore and I breathe like a puppy. I can see great and I can hear everything again! We all get along though we don’t all understand each other. It is neat to see all the different types of animals here. I understand that my biological mother and father were picked up and all of my brothers and sisters have crossed over, but I didn’t get to know about their humans.
The food you lovingly cooked for me those last few weeks was so delicious. You took such good care of me. I love you. You forced those pills down my throat! Ha! Didn’t you know that I understood? I had to fight you, it was instinctive. Didn’t you know I could have bitten your fingers? But I didn’t, did I? No, because I knew you would never do anything to hurt me.
I think about you and Daddy and your human puppies a lot but it isn’t sad. I have such wonderful memories of our time together. But I have heard your crying. Mommy, don’t cry so much. We had 15 wonderful years together! I know you miss me, but I am there with you, too. Look around. Close your eyes sometimes, I am there in your mind and in your heart. While we don’t feel pain or sadness here, I am aware of your grief. You have to know that you did the right thing. I was so tired. Dr. Rush was so kind and gentle with me. Having you and Daddy there to send me off was nice. I felt your kisses. The cuddling we did those final weeks was so special and I loved every minute of it. So, please don’t regret our final decision. You did the right thing.
Now you have to take care of yourself. This crying and seconding guessing yourself is not good for you. Celebrate our time together. Don’t you feel me nudging your arm as you reach up to blot tears? Do what you must to heal. Cry for yourself, but not for me. I am fine and I am waiting here for you at the Rainbow Bridge. When you come for me, we will cross over to the Father together. Lucky will go with us, too. Keep me in your best thoughts. I love you Mommy. Now, I have to get back to the others. We have so much to sniff and rout around.
Your loving friend,
Kippy

I am 14 years old now

I am 14 years old. Hard to believe. I feel great. Two years ago, the Vet found a heart murmure. Mom took me to a specialist who said it wasn't bad. Last Summer we went back to the specialist. He said it was still not too bad but that I needed medication. So twice a day, Mom gives me pills tucked into delicious hot dogs. I try to eat around the meds, but Mom is persistent.

This week we had a huge snow fall. I love the snow! I jump in it and push my nose into the drifts. Glorious snow! It wasn't easy at first. We got 18 inches of snow I am only 20 inches tall so it wasn't easy to relieve myself! Mom kept laughing at me because there was steam rising from my "business."

About a year ago, I trained Mom to take me out when I stare at her and then walk in a circle. Works everytime! But since the snow fell, I stare and circle about every two hours so I can go out into the snow. I think she is on to my scheme. It so hard to retrain my humans.

Dad went out to play in the snow the first day it fell. It didn't look like a lot of fun though. He played with this shovel and did the same thing over and over. But he must have had fun because it did it again 2 more times.

I am having a little trouble hearing things and my vision isn't as good, but I feel great. Sometimes I just chase my tail for no reason at all!
Well, I am feeling sleepy again. I better take another nap.

I can't believe how much time as passed...

It has been over a year since I last wrote in my diary!! Much has changed. My Mommy retired from her job in December of 2006. I love having her home so much more. She still goes out a lot, but not as much as when she worked. She cries for her elderly human Mommy, my Grandma. Sometimes I go to the assited living home with her to visit Grandma.

Mommy has been walking with me more now and I love that. A couple of weks ago, my friend Brindle's Mommy gave him a doggie birthday oarty but my Mommy couldn't take me. She was busy but we baked doggie cookies and put them in a gift bag and my Daddy took them to Brindle's house for me. She made some extras and kept for me. They are delicious.

This past summer my Vet found that I have a mild heart murmur. She is making an appointment to get me an Xray and EKG to see if I need medicine. I cough a lot lately so she is worried, but I feel ok.

I have a cousin Kayleigh, a miniature shnauzer whose Mommy rescues Miniature Shnauzers. Her Mommy gave my Mommy advice about diet and exercise to help my heart. She is really nice.

Well, I hope to keep this diary up better.

Woofs and kisses to all.