In Loving Memory Of BRANDY

"98, 99, 100! Ready or not, here I come!". Eatbugs lifted his paw paw from his eyes and looked

around him. He saw Cosmic Bob's tail sticking out from behind a tree and Nickie's

behind sticking out from under a bush. And one of the Johnson peepers had her head behind

a leaf and the rest of her body in plain sight. Eatbugs sighed and thought that playing hide and seek with

 peepers had it's own set of problems. He made a grand show of searching high and low before "finding"

little Tiny Bubbles in the grass. He neglected to mention that her ears were a bit taller than the grass.

Litha and Cassidy laughed as they strolled by on their way to the catnip patch.

"You'll never find them, Eatbugs" laughed Litha. "Sure enough, why you'll probably be searching

all day!" said Cassidy.

In the sunny patch under the willows Isolde and Charlie were warming their paws in the sun.

Charlie stretched and sighed with contentment,"Katie told me that there's a game of

 hide and swipe planned for this afternoon. Are you planning to join?" Isolde shook her head,

"Not today. I promised Putt Putt that I'd wash her ears this afternoon. I think Priscilla

and Mouschi are planning to play, though." Little, who'd been warming her whiskers, asked if the game

 would be after the afternoon snack.

All over the Rainbow Fields kiddens were doing what kiddens do. Romping in the grass,

tending to their fur and enjoying the company of their furiends. Eatbugs was just about to "find" Rainbow

when he felt it, that tingling in his whiskers that told him another came to the Bridge.

He patted Rainbow on the shoulder and said in a quiet voice, "That's all for now, furiends. Come we

must make the Welcome". The peepers came out from their hiding places with solemn little faces as they turned

to make their way to the Gate. The Company of kiddens joined them. Mittens and Katie walked with Max and Rocky.

Pris and Freyja walked with Isolde and Virginia. Putt Putt and Creamsickle, Sally and Sweetie Grey Mother.

Each kidden bound by the love of their humans joined ranks as they made their solemn journey.

At the Gate the kiddens sat quietly in their circle and joined their purrs to the Welcoming Song as it danced

over their fur on it's way to the Earth. At last the blue flash appeared and in it's wake sat a blond brown old dog dog.

Brandy looked up at the gathered kiddens and took a step backwards ...She wasn't used to crowds and she flattened her ears in defense.

"There is no need to worry, furriend" said Eatbugs, "We are all furiends here. None will harm you.

We come to bid you Welcome". Brandy raised her ears and looked around. All these kiddens were so beautiful

and so strong. For the briefest instant she felt a pang of envy before she realized that she, too,

felt beautiful and strong. She wasn't thirsty and there was no more discomfort or pain. She looked up into Eatbugs eyes.

They smiled so warmly at her that she couldn't help but smile back. "There is no sickness here," said Eatbugs,

"No pain, either. There is only warmth and love. Let us make you welcome and know that you will not want for anything

until your humans come for you". Brandy looked down at the ground, "I don't think anyone will be coming for me.

Her voice sounded so wistful that Eatbugs reached forward and nuzzled her ear. "Oh they will come.You have humans that love you".

"But I was only there a little while...." "It doesn't matter how long you were loved. You were loved and that is all that matters.

 The Welcoming Song echoed with their love and sorrow for you. They will come". Brandy's eyes lit up."Come,"

 said Eatbugs, "and meet the others and we will take you home".

In Loving Memory of BRANDY who will be greatly missed