Honey, Toto, and Jerry
We are Students and Teachers to Each Other
Honey was, by far, the best teacher I ever had. Her lesson was unconditional love.
At first she seemed an unlikely teacher of such a lesson. She was born right here at Pied Beauty ranch, one of twelve pups, of Jenna, a Rottweiler-Doberman-Boxer mix. One day, when we were walking, she, her mother, and her sister scented a fresh rabbit trail and took off. Honey caught the rabbit and ate it, refusing to share with her mother and sister, even though they helped her catch it.
Honey and Minnie
At every other moment of her life that I saw, however, hers was an extraordinarily loving, gentle spirit. For example, whenever food was set out, she always backed off and let her little "sister," Minnie, eat first. Even when I opened the door to let her back into the house, she would stop and look at me, seeking permission first. We never taught her this, or anything else for that matter. Yet she was willing to give her life for us, or even for a stranger. For example, when we had Holstein bulls, there came a point when they charged us. Honey immediately got in front of us to face them first. They stopped, fortunately, for they would have torn her to pieces. Another time at a student party, one visitor brought a dog that threatened to attack another's child. Honey appeared out of nowhere and got between the dog and the child and the dog backed off. We were incredibly fortunate to have her in our life.
Zoe's first encounter with an animal
Honey and her pups
Trinity's first encounter with Honey
Jacob's first encounter with Honey
Honey, Cameron, and Babe
Sue and Honey
Honey connecting with a student visitor
Sept. 29, 1994 - December 17, 2006
Zoe, five-years old, reconnects with Honey
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow 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....
Author unknown...
