His Excellency permits a brief photo op
while inspecting the perimeter in March 2019.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who expressed condolences upon the passing of our beloved cat, Turkish.
May you all be in heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you’re dead.
While we’re on the subject of Irish blessings, may I recommend Frank O’Connor’s “Requiem” to anyone grieving a fallen comrade? Father Fogarty, who did not yet know for whom he would be asked to say “only one small Mass,” speaks thusly:
“All I know from my own experience is is that the more loss we feel the more grateful we should be for whatever it was we had to lose. It means we had something worth grieving for. The ones I’m sorry for are the ones that go through life not even knowing what grief is. And you’d be surprised the number of them you’d meet.”
Mad Blog Media 
March 7, 2020 at 1:23 pm |
Mad Dog
Our condolences for the loss of Turkish. We will be watching our beloved 13yo Black Labrador, Goodness Gracious Gabrielle, cross the 🌈 Bridge this coming week
The Porters
RainbowBridge.comJust this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially closer 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…
March 8, 2020 at 8:58 am |
Ah, damn, I’m sorry to hear that, Mike. A neighbor’s Lab is of a similar vintage and taking occasional glances at that road west. She’s aged and infirm but remains in good humor, doesn’t appear to be in any pain. When she finally toddles off it will be a sad day indeed; the cul-de-sac views Daisy and her dog buddy Gunner as community property, and they wander in and out of everyone’s yards and houses to keep us advised as to security conditions, the Watch’s need for treats and head scratches, and whatnot.
March 7, 2020 at 2:46 pm |
Word. We receive from them much more than we give.
March 8, 2020 at 9:06 am |
’Tis true. I didn’t mention it earlier, but Turkish was a stout caregiver when not fully engaged in matters of homeland security. If I was ill or laid up, he’d take a moment from his duties to visit me in sick bay. He’d jump into bed, then stalk over to sit on my chest, enquiring, “Been in the wars, have we?”
March 8, 2020 at 2:09 pm |
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s overwhelming. Over the years, I’ve corrected many people who have said “they are just like family”. No my friend, they are family.
We have a human daughter, but her five siblings have all been canine.
All the best to you….
May 18, 2023 at 3:14 pm |
Great reading yourr blog post