If I have posted this topic then you should know that Cherry has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and is waiting that joyous time when we will be united for all time.  This strange phrasing is because I am writing this a few days after Cherry’s Three Day Celebration and as she is lying now beside me.  I have chosen to write this now for two reasons.  First, my experience has demonstrated that when the event actually does occur, I will be a total wreck and incapable of coherent thought much less doing her story justice.  Second and more important, when this event actually does occur, I want a celebration of her life.  Her enrichment to my life can never be fully measured.  Her love, joy, excitement, energy, and mischief have been boundless.

Cherry entered my life with enormous paw prints to fill.  Cassiopeia and Cassandra (Cassy and Sandy) were my first two standard poodles, litter-mates, my best friends and without a doubt they were the reason I made it through the toughest time of my life.  It took me three years from their passing to be able to bring Cherry into my life.  Keeping with the Greek Mythology theme, she was named Charites which is the collective reference to the three Greek Goddesses of Love, Beauty and Vitality.  Boy was that ever fitting for Miss Cherry.  She walked into the house, looked around, and seemed to say “this will do nicely.”  Just as willing to take a long ride, take a long walk, play, or just lay on my lap for a quiet evening, Cherry has always been my constant companion.  She announces to the whole world Mommy’s return whenever she hears the garage door signaling that fact.  She has always been a family protector who has not let the cancer or TriPawd status ever lessen that responsibility.

It is not really fair to say that I obedience trained Cherry because she was a natural.  Her healing was excellent, but I cannot take much credit for that.  She earned her AKC Companion Dog (CD) degree by qualifying in three straight shows and she placed in all three shows that earned her AKC Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) degree.  Only her over-exuberance and my retirement refocus on visiting America kept us from working on the Utility Degree (UD).  Before the cancer, whenever we would go for our walks, we would be stopped by individuals commenting on her beautiful “show” gate.  I was no less proud of my little girl and her enormous courage as we walked together after the cancer.

Cherry lays here beside me now.  I can think of the day when she crosses over the Rainbow Bridge and my three little girls are together.  Two white and a lone black romping across the fields playing the games as only my Sandy can create.  My only remaining task will be to join them, and in the bigger scheme of things that will be soon.

Please join me in this celebration of life – Cherry’s life.  Give a big hug to each and every companion who is still here with us.  Take your respective cedar boxes or urns and hold them tight.  Focus on the wonderful memories that they have given to us.  Know that they will never really leave us for the gifts that they have given us will live with us forever.

Cherry’s Proud Dad