Group Member Loses Faithful Friend/Family Member

(Chrissy McVay's author photo)

About a year ago, group member Chrissy McVay was told her dog Angel Michelle (in photo above) had bone cancer and wasn't expected to make it past Christmas. With the help of their vet, and the hard work of the McVays, Angel beat the odds. They cooked special food for her, giving her the people food she probably spent most of her life begging for anyway. And for nearly a year, Angel practically thrived. (You can read an essay Chrissy wrote here: http://www.angelanimals.net/stories020.html)

(Angel and her sister as puppies)

I received an email from Chrissy this afternoon saying they'd finally had to let Angel go. The decision was basically taken out of their hands. It seems she was running down the hall (she never stopped running) and broke her shoulder. The vet says her bones had just gotten too weak and couldn't hold her any longer.

(Angel hamming for the camera)

Chrissy and her family have many years of wonderful memories to fall back on. With that, and the help of their other dog Sasha, they'll keep a warm space in their hearts especially for their Angel Michelle.

(My favorite picture of the puppy that was Angel)

Angel has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, but her essence remains here in the hearts of her family.

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...