Champ Biden Just Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

My heart goes out to them and to everyone who has lost a beloved animal companion. The grief is very real.

That’s a very respectable age for a large dog.
Major will be missing him, too.

*wipes away tears*

A couple of weeks ago we lost our 18 year old cat, Kara, and it was very painful even though she had a long and healthy life. When that happened, something that helped was what President Biden has frequently said in the last year…when you lose someone it fills you with grief, but each day some of that grief will be replaced by happiness, and although it’s hard to believe it, a day will come when thinking of what you lost makes you more happy than sad.

It was really notable to me at the time what the difference was between having a decent human being in the White House meant. So I pass back the same sentiments to President Biden – Champ was a national treasure, and his time on earth was well-spent. God speed.

A lot of us have pets, the old saw from the bullies in school were about having a dog or cat that, “seemed to be”, more important than your, “human friends” … a bunch of them were just jealous, because they were not allowed to have pets themselves, and found friendship in OUR pets … wagging tails, kitty walk by rubs on ankles with purring .. both killer actions to get a little more attention and a possible treat as well …

During the summer months, when we did not have our own dog or cat, Boots, the bulldog, from two doors down was really attached to me because she new I was a soft touch and would pet and scratch, and somehow find a hidden box of, “dog cookies that look like bones”, so, as soon as her, “Mom”, let her out in the morning, Boots would run like the wind and hit our front door- storm door with both front paws, making a big bang in the kitchen, next to that door, where, My Mom would be making coffee and starting up some eggs …

She new what was up and let Boots in, and Boots was instantly scrambling on the hardwood floor ricocheting against the walls, darting onto the stairs leading up to the second floor bedroom where by now, I was awake and prepared for the flight of a 30 pound bulldog, the last 10-15 foot of a long hallway, crash landing on ME!!

My Mom was OK with these antics as I was a typical teen, mostly numb from the neck up in the mornings, after wrestling with Boots, then scratching and petting her, she was off and running back down the stairs and pointing out the hall closet where I kept those treats …

Boots was happy to see me whenever we met … after destroying her cookie, she was by the front door to be let back out on her routines for the day … her morning was complete, had me up on my feet, got her treat, all was well at our house and with her buddy …

I’ve always loved dogs and cats, the dogs are all about wagging tails and massive licks, better delivered if you meet them on the floor, or they let you have a small space on their couch ….

Kitties have their own rules about touching, ear rubs and purring fests, clean water, bowls of food and absolute respect for their needs and quirks …

We now have an African Gray parrot who, of course, is one of the most important members of our family, she was so young and small when we got her, could not perch or stand up very well, no feathers just a big beak and I talked quietly and hummed a little toon for her with my hand next to her on her washcloth blanky … while my wife drove us home … that was years ago and we still love her as if she was a child of our own … there are so many stories of her time growing up with us, and how she manages our day-to-day lives …

We know exactly how loved a pet is and really is a member of the household …