In Loving Memory~ Ma
Spring 1986-April 19,2006

With tears in my eyes and a terrible pain in my heart- I lost my oldest goat- Ma, an angora wether who when I met him in 1993 was 7 yrs old. Ma had declined in the last month and was eating very little although up until the storm last night had a gleam in his eyes and a will to live - I got him on his feet daily as he could no longer raise his large frame himself. I knew this day was imminent- But you never look forward to it.. even with the aged goats. He was a gentle gorgeous boy with a very sweet disposition. I laid with him with his big head cradled in my lap while I cried and then told him about all of his friends across Rainbow's Bridge waiting for him-

His best friend -Albert - leaned against me and just watched - a few times a tear fell from his eyes. I don't know how they know, but Albert seemed to know Ma was dying and even though I was there with him, seemed as though he wondered why I wasn't doing anything to stop it. How do you explain this to them? How do you tell them there is nothing more you can do to save their friend? Albert would lean down and nose to nose with Ma, seemed to be whispering something to him. Not all of the goat seemed to be aware - BabyGirl came over and talked to me, with a sad low talking voice. Seems as though she knew, maybe it was my crying. She had become friends with Ma because of his gentle ways.

Sometimes you just can do nothing. I could not bring myself to shoot him and other than the fact he was dying, he did not seem to be in any pain. It was as though he was tired and it was time. I believe when he got to the point of not being able to get up on his own, he realized he was no longer the strong goat he once was and basically gave in to his old age. As if he had been defeated by age . It is never easy- and while I love all of my goats- Ma was particularly special.

"I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain, not because I did not love you, but because I loved you too much to force you to stay".

Summer 2005

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 have 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. With bright eyes intent and with eager body beginning to quiver your precious friend begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, on legs running 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.
The story comes from ancient Norse tradition.

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