In Loving Memory Of FLEA

A gentle breeze danced across the Rainbow Fields and lifted Eatbugs fur as he lay dreaming in the sun.

 He smiled and turned his whiskers into it. "Morning Eatbugs", said Tyler settling into the sunny patch, "Whatcha smiling for?".

Eatbugs chuckled, "Well I went to the stars to check on the peepers I sent Mommie Consta. They are keeping her busy".

Tyler grinned, "Oh I bet they are!". He remembered how Kiki the Wild Peeper kept his mom jumping. G'Max, snoozing near them

gaffawed, "You should see MY humans! They've got peepers everywhere". Over in the tall grass, Nermal and Marmalade

were engaged in a game of hid and swipe, while Little and Rocky played pouncies. Freyja, Max and Dino were nibbling grass and

comparing notes as to which types had the best flavor.

It was, as are all days on the Rainbow Bridge, a quiet and happy one. For as far as the eye could see kiddens were enjoying their

 daily pursuits, napping in the sun, playing with furiends or snacking on the abundant treats that always seemed to be there. Occasionally

a cat or a ferret or some other creature loved and missed by humans would visit. There are no borders on the Bridge and,

 while each type of creature had it's own fields to roam, furiendships soon were formed and such vists were always welcomed.

Today, April the ferret was leading the peepers on a merry chase and Cinnamon and Cherie were happily giving rides. "Wheeeeeeee"

cried Tiny Bubbles, "Goes faster!!!!". Cinnamon grinned and loped along. Nickie was happily chasing a chirp. He swiped

with a paw paw and brushed a tail feather. The chirp turned and landed in front of him chirping agitatedly "Chrrrpppp,

You KNOW the rules!". "I is reawwy sorry", said Nickie looking at his paw paws, "I didn't mean to, reawwy". He looked so

dejected that the chirp had to laugh. "Well, chrrrp, okay, let's go. But watch the tail feathers, would you??"

and with that she flapped her wings and took off with Nickie in merry pursuit.

In the sunny patch, Isolde and Virginia had quietly padded up to lay beside Eatbugs. He looked up into Virginia's wise eyes

and caught a glimpse of sadness there. He closed his eyes and bowed his head..another would be coming. Virginia reached out

 and gave him a gentle earlick, "Yes Little One, another will come". Eatbugs sighed. "It is the Way of All Things, Little One," said Virginia

in her gentle voice, "All creatures must come here in their own time. My sadness is for those left behind and for the parting.

 Someday you will understand". Eatbugs nodded. He did understand a little. This was a good place and there was so much love here,

 but still the sadness when another kidden had to leave the warmth of their humans. He felt the change in the wind and the now

 all too familiar tingling in his whiskers. Quietly he stood and with Isolde and Virginia, began to make his way towards the Gate.

The Company of Kiddens assembled around them, each leaving their games and naps to make Welcome for their new furiend.

 Uncle Butterball and Suzie Q walked with Charlie. G'Max and Katie walked with Mister and Sally. Virginia stopped to allow Miss Priss,

Prissy, Nermal and the rest of the Dresslar kiddens pass before her. Eatbugs looked up at Virginia, "Oh no!". She nodded sadly.

Isolde whispered gently in his ear, "Yes, Little One, Aunt Marilyn is sad again". A tear rolled down the corner of Eatbugs' nose, "So many....".

As they reached the Gate, Eatbugs turned and saw hundreds of kiddens assembled in the circle. Kiddens of every color and breed

sat quietly with heads bowed. Eatbugs joined his voice to their's  of comfort and sent it forth onto the wind to carry

comfort to the human hurting below. They sang forth welcome to the kidden that would come and sang to ease the loss for the

 humans that loved her.

In the center of the Gate the flash of blue light appeared and subsided. A beautiful white female Toy Poodle sat blinking.

She looked up to see the Rainbow and heard the gentle purring and all fear melted away from her. Miss Priss stepped

forward and gave her nose in greeting. "Welcome, Flea, to the Rainbow Bridge". She sighed and a tear rolled down her cheek. Prissy

gently licked it away and Whiskers curled his tail around hwe. Nermal drew in near and the peeper threw their paws around her.

 "It's all right, Flea" said Prissy, "We will be your family now. And we will be together until you can be with Mom again."

 Flea felt their love wash over her and felt her sorrow fall away. "It isn't forever?". "No", said Nermal, "You will see her again and

 someday you will be together for ever and always".  Flea felt such love and warmth that the sadness could not stay with her.

She looked up and saw the hundreds of kiddens and the beauty that surrounded her and felt the last of the world's hold on her

 melting away. "Come," said Miss Priss, "Let us introduce you to your new family". And with that she took her by the paw and led her home.

In Loving Memory of FLEA who will be greatly missed