Katie here.

I would like to let you all know that my good friend Deuce the cocker spaniel is now safe with me and his other dog friends over the Rainbow Bridge. Last night mama asked me to keep an eye out for him because he’d be journeying today, and to make sure he got introduced around here once he arrived.

She said she didn’t want him to feel alone or scared, and since we were buddies back in the day she knew I’d be glad to see him again and that I’d take good care of him. Well, it turns out there were several dog friends waiting expectantly for him, so he had quite a wonderful reunion.

Mama also asked me to tell you about his remarkable life because, she says, typing when her eyes are leaking is really hard. So, let me tell you about my friend Deuce.

Deuce and I go way back. Our moms got us together pretty often to walk in parks, near his house and over at my parks too. Some of my best walks ever were with my friend Deuce.

He was always a gentleman and let me pee on stuff first, then he’d pee there to validate the spot. We usually walked separately but together, if you know what I mean. If either of us discovered a good spot we’d invite the other one over to enjoy it, but in general we were our own dog on most of our walks.

Not to say we didn’t sit near each other a lot when asked, mostly to humor the moms.

But Deuce did a lot of other things besides walk with me. He was a very dedicated, certified, therapy dog. He visited nursing homes and schools and had special friends there that loved him, and he loved them back.

As soon as he put his therapy dog vest on he knew he was working and he loved every minute of it. Why he even went up to people in wheelchairs when he was out and about and not in his official capacity. He just seemed to know when someone needed a little snuggle.

He liked adventure too. One summer I took Deuce and his mom camping with me. Deuce had never camped before but he settled right into the new experience. He had his own tent that he shared with his mom, and his own chair to sit in when we hung out around the fire.

But mostly on that trip we walked and played in the woods around the campground. Deuce liked to climb up on stuff we’d find there; he was a very good jumper.

He was a few years younger than me, so usually I let him jump high up and pose and I’d settle myself somewhere below.

Both of us were good about sharing our moms. And we let them take as many pictures of us as they wanted. Which, I guess, is good now that he’s up here with me. I think all those pictures will make our moms feel just a little better as they remember all the good times we had together.

I feel I’ve known Deuce forever! I first met him at doggy school where we were both learning obedience. Deuce was much more obedient than me. He was such a fast learner and such a good dog. He was and always will be his mom’s Little Buddy, and he’d do or learn anything for her.

She doesn’t know what she will do without him.

Deuce says he wants to reassure her that he’ll be watching over her and his younger brothers and if she needs him, especially to put the youngest one in his place, why, he’ll be right there. Guaranteed.

He says he’s sorry he had to move on, but as the top dog of the household it’s his responsibility to make sure everything up ahead is copesetic. He says that will be one of his main duties while he’s here waiting for his mom.

I figure there will also be time for long walks, and maybe even some running and jumping, just like he and I used to do.

Deuce and I used to race each other sometimes on our walks. We’d line up and the moms would call “COME!” and we’d both run toward them. I usually let Deuce win. Though it’s entirely possible he was just faster than me. Up here ,everybody wins and we get to run and run as much as we want!

Deuce and his mom were a great team. He wants her to remember him that way, as part of their team while they did obedience, or rally, or when he was working as a therapy dog, or even when they were just walking through the woods together.

Deuce says he’ll always be part of that team and he’ll always love his mom, just like she’ll always love him.

He reminds us that love is forever, no matter what. I know you guys will miss seeing him every day, but if you look closely, when you’re out in the woods, or napping on the sofa, or training one of the younger dogs, I bet you’ll see him, right there, just around that corner.

You might not see it right now, but he’s smiling, and patiently waiting until he sees you again. In the meantime Deuce and I have walks to do and dogs to meet. Please be happy for us. We are young and healthy and feeling wonderful now.

We promise we’ll be right here when it’s your time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Deuce is a special boy, and he touched the lives of a whole lot of people. I know you all wish him the very best adventures over on this side of the Rainbow Bridge.

Well, we’ve got a lot to do up here, so I’ll sign off for now, Deuce and I just wanted you to know we’re doing just fine and we love you.

Talk later,

Your Bridge Tour Guide, Katie-girl, and her Intrepid Buddy, Deuce.