| Yuffie
From Beyond - June 2004
In
which Yuffie tells what it's like to first find herself at the
Rainbow Bridge...
June
- July 2004
Dear
Yuffie,
Heard a really wild rumor going around - that your column is back!
Is there really life in the hereafter? Man, have I got to mend
my ways! What's it like where you are? How do we communicate with
you? Ouija boards?
Retriever
in Rapture
Dear
RR:
Ouija boards ought to do the job but I haven't seen
one that comes with a spell checker. The computer is ideal - most
people think their machines are haunted anyway. As to where I
am?
On
one hand it's kind of like Prospect Park in perpetual Spring -
meandering woodland trails winding past meadows and streams. Yet
there are so many butterflies of every imaginable hue flitting
among the bushes you feel as though you're inside a virtual rainbow.
But then you get foggy mornings where I would swear I'm back in
the Long Meadow, the faces of everyone I've left behind embossed
in the drifting mists. No, it's not depressing - in fact quite
the opposite. It's a brief touching born of love - a reassurance
that our memory still resonates with those who meant so much to
us.
I
dare say this place is what's commonly referred to as the Rainbow
Bridge, a place where we canines wait until we're joined by our
human companions. Now I personally don't mind the waiting aspect
though there are more than a few dogs here who say they weren't
on their owner's most favorite list! What a surprise that's going
to be! But there's more! While the next step in the journey is
to pass through this shining oyster shell gateway over on the
far side of the lake, there's a prominent sign posted next to
it which reads: "All dogs must be on leash"! Go
figure!
There's
a Gate Keeper who says not to worry; who insists that we wouldn't
want to go inside anyway - that it's all a big bore in there.
Could be he's right. What I miss most is the sense of adventure
I had heading out to the Park every day. You never knew whom you
would meet - what the gossip would be. It was so exciting I never
minded the weather. This Gate Keeper admires dogs - says he applauds
our unmitigated integrity and loyalty. He's the only human I've
seen so far - a curmudgeon of a character with a unruly shock
of white hair. He calls himself Mark Twain.
Anyway a lot of my old friends are here: Daisy, Niagara, Gallihad
& Pandora, Joli & Heather, Häxa & Tar, Rodger,
Pooh, Betty, Race, Suzy, Domino, Scarface, and Witty. There are
a host of others as well but I'm not great with remembering names
unless it involves a free handout.
Speaking
of which... If any of you out there can find a way to send me
a care package of deli goodies - maybe few pounds of Boar's Head
roast beef and a half dozen sausage links for starters! All they
have on the menu here is artichoke hearts!
But
enough about me...
You guys are still dealing with life. Admittedly it's tough down
there. As always I'm ready for your questions. Fire away...
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