Farewell to my girl Bubbles

 A few days ago, my sweet beagle Bubbles left us for the Rainbow Bridge. Bubbles was almost 14 years old and had cancer, so her leaving was not a surprise. . . but typical of a beagle, she was eager for her special dinner treat the night before, and it was only in the morning that I knew we had come to the end. 

Bubbles who rarely barked, did not go quietly with death - she whined and howled, demanding that I stay beside her. She struggled to stand up at one point and when she couldn't make her back legs cooperate, growled to herself - I guess that's how dogs say "damn!" And then she soon fell into a last deep, deep sleep.

Bubbles was an extremely shy dog who was afraid of many things - thunder and lightning, of course, but other things as well: shadows, people, any unexpected noises, the world outside of our house, car horns, car doors, whistles, running water, anyone (human or canine) being near her when she ate, nail clippers, nail files, leashes, anything that fell on the floor (a book, paper towels, a box - anything!). Her response was always to run, to hide, or simply to freeze. 

But she was also my closest friend as I recovered from surgery and nearly lost everything - she understood tears - and laughter - better than anyone else. Her first name was Hallie, but I called her Bubbles because like the bubbles in champagne she made life better! For me she brought joy and hope and light!

I often worried that if I died first, her idiosyncrasies would make finding a new person and home difficult, so for that reason, I'm glad that she left first. And I presume that in larger life, she has lost all of those earthly fears and fantasies - and, of course, trust that she will be waiting for me at the bridge!