Lucky's First Day at the Bridge

            The Awakening

Lucky opened his eyes after what seemed like years of floating upward. He blinked and looked all around him. He saw a beautiful golden staircase that seemed to be thumbtacked to the sky. Hmm...how is that possible he thought since being a smart dog he knew air wasn't solid. So thumbtacks would be impossible! As he scratched his head he pondered how did I get way up here and how am I able to sit on a cloud?  As he pondered and thought, thought and pondered a big golden gate swung open and a stern looking little Yorkie appeared in what Lucky thought was dressed in a comically long black robe! The tiny dog held a notebook in her paws and barked very loudly are you Lucky Doodle?  The big bark from this tiny robed figure startled him and for a moment he shivered. Another bark, another shiver, well are you going to enter or not. Or would you rather stay out here and sit on the cloud you landed on? Lucky thought maybe he should obey this tiny dog in the long robe and follow her inside the gate. The gate slammed shut so quickly that he grabbed his tail to keep it safe! Whew he thought that was close. He barely had time to think beyond the slamming gate when the Honorable Judge Foley Monster barked, raise your right paw and repeat after me. "I Lucky Doodle promise to be a good and obedient angel obeying all the laws and rules of the Rainbow Bridge. I will never chase the cats at the bridge, especially but not limited to your girlfriend's kitty Frank. I will never approach the Great Bear without a binky and a brave escort. I will not play fetch with someone else's halo nor ruffle the feathers of anyone else's wings.  Do you agree to these conditions?". Yyyes said a a shivering Lucky. Suddenly the little Yorkie stepped out of her black robe and looked like a sweet little doggy wearing a pretty pink collar! Lucky sighed a sigh of relief as he looked at the judge and beyond at the beauty that he saw around him. His eyes were big as he looked around at pieces of landscape that belonged to every corner of the world. So each animal had a part of their home with them.  He looked very hard for a glimpse of his beloved palm trees but watered up when he couldn't find a single sign of them. He put his head in his paws as the tears began to fall. But suddenly he felt the touch of a hand, a human hand. He felt safe as the human spoke to him in a soft voice. Hello Lucky my name is Laura Lunn and I am the human keeper of the bridge. Would you like me to take you to the land of the palm trees? Lucky shook his head yes that would be very kind of you. Laura bent down and kissed Lucky gently on the head and rubbed his ears. Come with me and you can see your new home. They walked a long ways passing mountains, deserts, canyons, rivers, streams and tropical forests with misty rain and beautiful birds that Lucky had never seen before. What a beautiful place he thought. He quizzically looked at his new friend and said politely, Laura are we allowed to visit these other magical places or do I have to stay at the land of the palm trees? Laura smiled and said softly no Lucky you may visit any of the lands you wish and make new friends and play with old friends. But when your eyes get heavy and the sun goes down you can return to your own corner of the bridge to sleep. Just then Lucky turned his head to see the palms bending gently in the breeze! I'm home thought Lucky as he turned to say thank you to Laura. But she was gone! Suddenly Judge Foley appeared and said come on Lucky and I will get you settled in your new home. But where did Laura go? Foley explained that as the human bridge keeper she was very busy escorting all of the pets to their perspective corners of the bridge and she left to help another doggy to their bridge home. Now come with me pretty boy so I can tuck you in. You will have a very busy day tomorrow getting your halo and fitted for your wings. Lucky had so many questions for Judge Foley but he was so tired from his long journey that he snuggled up under a palm and pulled the fleece blanket that Judge Foley had given him up to his ears. For a moment he gazed at the gorgeous sunset unfolding in front of him. He yawned as he said goodnight to his mommy, daddy and his human brother. May God Bless and know that I am in a beautiful place and I love you til the end of time. 

Signed Your Baby, 

Lucky