Today I lost a loved one, a cherished family friend. Some may feel a dog is just a pet. Others claim our profound bonds with animals are a replacement of the compassion and love we no longer trust to give to our own human race. I have never tried to analyze my love for animals, but it is real. I enjoy their pride, compassion, loyalty, giddiness, and individuality as much as I enjoy the same qualities in the children that I teach. Maybe, like children, animals are the only beings which have remained positively constant in this unforgiving world.

My wife and I are both animal lovers. As children we both enjoyed the love of many pets and no exceptions were made when it came time to raising our own children. We never really set out in search of new family members, it just happened, somehow they found us.

Throughout the years we have loved and lost Bob the iguana, the horses Malakai and Careto, Jackson the cat, and many other four legged angels. Some we rescued battered and broken and gave them our love for the short time they had, others had many years in our homes and hearts. Although we have animal burials and candlelight prayer vigils down to a science, it never gets easier, today is no different.

We have, or had, four labrador retrievers; Wyatt, Portia, Sebastian, and Iris. Wyatt is a black muscled menace who brightens our days with his constant attempts to carry three balls and two sticks while wildly running crazed figure eights throughout the yard. Portia is a bone colored, four legged image of motherly comfort who spends her days lovingly watching every move of our kids, her kids. Iris is a strawberry blonde ball of destruction who joins Wyatt in hyperdrive figure eights and then chews every plant, tree, or shoe in her path. Lastly, Sebastian is, or was, similar to that of a peace and love hippy. He was mellow, peaceful, and loved to love. All four are distinct in their appearance and ways; and all four have claimed ownership of corners of our hearts.

Sebastian wasn’t your typical labrador. He was afraid of water, balls, and sticks and hadn’t a clue or a care as to how to retrieve. Storms and cats made him tremble in fear and popcorn made him wiggle and smile. He was a gentle, loving, one hundred pound baby who followed my wife’s every move and lived for his special nights of sleeping in bed with one of the kids.

Early this morning I was awakened to a neighbors phone call. Somehow our four labs found a way out of our secured property. Three were found frolicking in the nearby lake’s soothing waters, Sebastian, was not one of them. Perhaps his fear of water caused him to seperate from the others, in the end, we were told he had been seen wandering up towards the national highway, alone.

My wife began frantically running towards the national highway and was briefly relieved to not see any body, until she saw the blood, so much blood. Apparently, Sebastian had been killed by oncoming traffic shortly before the morning trash truck drove through and removed his limp, lifeless body.

You would think after so many, it would become easier; our hearts would grow stronger, allowing us to avoid some of this pain, but it doesn’t. We can not bury our poor Sebastian, but we will light his candle and say a prayer. We will remember him and hold him in our hearts eternally. Our family will thank God for the time he allowed us and all of the lessons our Sabby had taught us.

Sebastian, like a small child, was never very good at following orders; he was also quite timid and fearful. I wish there were a way to let him know we have not abandoned him, he is safe, and it’s only temporary, we’ll reunite. If you can hear my prayers, Sabby, go with God, boy, and wait for us at Rainbrow bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close 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...

In loving memory of Sebastian.