(Note: this is a companion piece for the previous entry)

She was so very tired. Everything had become such an effort in the last few weeks. Three days ago, her eyesight had dimmed to just being able to discern shadows and nothing else. Even eating and drinking was becoming all most too much for her to do. However, she made the effort, for the sake of her human and the sake of her younger pack sib.

Lawrence, her human, seemed to know and accept the fact that the time of her crossing the Rainbow Bridge was coming sooner than later. His hands were gentle and sad as he stroked her head, his voice soft with resigned grief as he talked her through navigating their home and outside. However, Kita was a bundle of anxiety as she hovered and cuddled and licked a gentle, soothing tongue over the older dog’s face and ears.

A polite knock came at their door and she barely raised her head to acknowledge the visitors. Kita vibrated with anxious nervousness as she barked at the strangers, but Lawrence hushed her.

“My Lady, I didn’t expect you.” he was saying, and she could tell he was suddenly nervous himself, “I asked for the healer.”

“Well, I am the healer.” an amused female voice admonished gently, “Will you please introduce me?”

“Ah-um, the suspicious girl over there is Kita. Sara is the one on the couch. I don’t think she’s really sick as much as she’s suffering from old age. I’m just worried she’s in pain and uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to trouble you or take you away from anything important. I don’t want to be a bother.”

Sara caught a sense of exasperation laced with affection.

“Lawrence Glass, you are not a bother.” the female said in firm tones, “My mother is quite fond of you and your work. I am quite fond of you. You’re like family. So no more nonsense about it. You are the most important thing I have on my agenda today.”

*Silly male.* came an unfamiliar voice, *Is he done yet? Can I come in?*

“Lawrence, one of my mother’s familiars would like to come in. Her name is Cricket. Would that be alright?”

“Oh, of course.” Lawrence stated quickly. The door creaked opened and Sara saw a small shadow enter the house. Kita immediately jumped down to go sniff the stranger. Sara sighed softly, then jumped a bit when a small, cold nose nudged her muzzle. She was aware of the female shushing Lawrence and Kita crowding her flank.

*Hello, Sister.* Cricket’s voice was gentle and warm. Sara feebly thumped her tail.

*Hello.* she replied in a bare whisper.

*Are you in pain or uncomfortable at all?*

*No. I’m just very, very tired now. I can’t really see anything, either.*

*Ah. So, that’s the way of it, then.*

*What’s wrong with her?* Kita’s voice demanded. *Can you help her? She’s sick. You need to help her!*

*Hush, Puppy.* Cricket soothed gently. *She’s not sick. She’s old. It happens to the best of us. Death comes to us all. It’s the way it is.*

*No! No! No!*

Kita jumped off the couch, barking frantically. Sara sighed wearily as Lawrence tried to shush her. Cricket nosed her gently even as the female’s voice rang out in a commanding tone. Kita fell silent abruptly. Sara felt another presence at the door, felt Cricket’s surprise as the scratching sounded.

*My Queen?* came the tentative sending.

“Yo, Angel, come get this silly puppy.” came another female’s voice, this one mildly cranky, “He’s driving me nuts and his mama just sits there and laughs at me.”

“Just a moment, Larl.” Angel sighed heavily. “Give me a second, Lawrence and I’ll look at Sara.”

The door creaked and Sara felt Cricket’s sudden understanding and the private sending full of love she sent to another unknown dog.

“Sebastian, no!” Angel’s voice hissed, but Sara tracked a shadow that darted into the room and flattened in front of Kita. Kita gave a startled yip and scrambled backwards.

*I’m sorry! I’m sorry!* came the frantic voice of a youngling, *My feet get all tangled up! Mother says I’ll outgrow it! Really, I will, I promise!*

“Bast, get yer rump back here.” Larl growled.

*No, leave him be.* Cricket ordered.

Sara couldn’t see, but she could still feel. She felt Kita’s nervous curiosity, the pup’s eager need for acceptance and Lawrence’s grief.

*Come here, Pup.* she whispered softly. A moment later, a nose touched hers and she could feel his tail wagging frantically. *So. Why are you here?*

*Oh, oh!* he replied excitedly. *Mama made me memorize this! I have such a terrible memory, but she made me repeat it until I got it right!*

*Pup, get to it.*

*Oh, sorry. Ah-hem! I am yours. You are mine. My mind to yours, my heart to yours, my soul sings to you. There, did I get it right?*

Sara felt her heart hitch. She licked the pup’s face once, then sighed.

*Aye, Pup. You got it right.* she whispered, *But you need to say it to Lawrence and Kita, not me.*

*Oh. Ooops. Do you think they will mind that I said it to you, too?*

*No, Puppy, they won’t mind. I just won’t be here much longer.*

*Where are you going?*

*Sebastian!* Cricket hissed in mortification, but Sara felt herself laughing for the first time in a long time.

*Oh, how I have missed the innocence of puppies.* she coughed. *Sebastian, I am going to cross the Rainbow Bridge very, very soon. That is where I am going.*

*Oh.* he whimpered sadly, but then she felt him brighten. *If you see my daddy and Mandy, will you please tell them we love them and miss them horribly?*

*Yes, Puppy, I will.*

*Oh, thank you. It hurts so much that they are gone, but we got a new pack and new brothers and sisters and Mama says loving them honors Dad and Mandy. Will it be ok to honor you with loving your pack?*

*Puppy, I would be deeply honored. Now, go tell them what you told me.*

*’M kay.*

Sara felt him literally bounce away. She felt Kita’s shock, then Lawrence’s flash of grief, surprise and joy all rolled into one.

*He’s not normal, is he?* she asked Cricket.

*He’s a bit different.* Cricket sighed heavily. *We think the trauma of losing his sire and the travels to Dragon’s reach left him . . .scarred. He’ll always be a half grown puppy.*

*Just what they need, then. That is good. I believe I am ready now.*

*Angelique.*

Sara felt a soothing hand on her forehead and saw the shadow of a face in front of her. She thumped her tail and sighed.

“Lawrence, she’s not sick.” Angel said gently. “She’s just ready to cross the bridge.”

“I thought as much.” came his heavy reply. “My Lady, would you sing her across?”

“I’ll have to ask her permission, but, if she grants it, then yes, I will.”

Sara felt a questing touch on her mind. Her tail thumped again.

*I am ready, My Queen.* she sighed, *I would be honored if you would sing me escort. The other female, as well. I can feel her connection to the earth mother.*

“Larl, come in here.” Angel called quietly. “The Sister is ready to cross the bridge.”

“I hate you.” Larl said in a soft, choked tone, but came to stand with Angel.

“Lawrence, come. Kita, Sebastian, you too.”

Sara let out a gusty sigh of immense relief as she felt the hands stroking her flanks. She was ready to sleep. She could feel the grief, but there was joy beneath it. She heard the soft chant begin from the one called Larl that was joined in by Angel. A trilling howl came from Cricket, then Sebastian. She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes. Softly, slowly, she exhaled, feeling her soul detach from her body. The song rose around her, then she opened her eyes again to see the glittering, mulit-colored bridge before her. The Rainbow Bridge. Beside it stood an impressive looking shepherd-dog and a smiling young woman.

*Sebastian and the rest of your pack send their love.* Sara woofed, wagging her tail. *They miss you, and have a new pack now.*

The young woman gave a tinkling, joyful laugh and held out her hand. Sara moved forward and they crossed the bridge to the other side together.

Angel and Larl fell silent even as Lawrence and Kita exploded in grief. Sebastian threw himself into the older man’s arms, licking his face frantically. Kita howled, but didn’t protest as she was pulled up against him as well. Sebastian turned to nose her as well.

Larl sighed heavily, feeling tears prick her eyelids.

“I hate that.” she grumped, “It hurts.”

“Yes, it does.” Angel replied wearily.

“Now what?”

“Now, we wait. When they are ready, we help bury her. Did you have something else to do?”

“No, this is the most important thing on my agenda, too.”

Angel merely raised an eyebrow then turned back to patiently wait until the three before her were ready for the final step in letting Sara go.

Chapter 6