My big sister Kailua crossed the rainbow bridge last summer. It was one of the toughest times in my human mom’s life.  Kailua had blessed Momma’s life for 13 years.  It was really tough for her to loose a dear companion.

Kailua

One of the hardest things about loving dogs is that humans have such a long life expectancy compared to ours.  Some humans are blessed with many dogs in their life, and each time one crosses the rainbow bridge they have such gut wrenching pain from loss and sorrow, while at the same time celebrating the wonderful time they shared with their beloved friend.

One great website that Momma found was pet-loss.net.  This site had lots of links and resources for pet owners who have lost a beloved animal.  I think the one thing that I learned through this whole process is how precious life is.  Humans often live in the past or worry about the future.  Because us dogs are here only for a little while, we live in the moment and relish life!

It has taken a long time for me to convince Momma to write this journal entry for Kailua.  I don’t feel Momma cry as often as she used to, but she does ever now and then.  She and Daddy had Kailua cremated.  Daddy took some of Kailua’s ashes back to Flagstaff last summer to spread on Campbell Mesa.  This was one of Kailua’s favorite placed to go hiking.  She loved to sniff the air and all the wonderful old yellow pines, grama grass, and wild flowers.  My humans plan on spreading the majority of Kailua’s ashes at the Ranch this summer.

If you have been blessed with a dog in your life I am happy for you.  If you have never had the opportunity to love or be loved by a dog, I wish that opportunity may sometime walk through your door.

Peace and love,

Kooper