took affect, Buddy's breathing slowed and finally stopped. The dog's eyes closed, never to open again.
'Goodbye, Buddy,' Louis choked out quietly.
****
Andreas walked into the veterinarian's office and found Johannes sitting there.
'Herr Garrison is in there,' Johannes quickly told him, pointing to the door.
'Thank you, Johannes. Have you been here all this time?'
'Yes, Herr Muller. I did not want to leave them.'
'Go home, Johannes, you have studying to do.'
'But Buddy and Herr Garrison!' Johannes protested.
'I will look after Herr Garrison. Stop by the restaurant on your way home; Magda has some sandwiches prepared for you.'
'Yes, Herr Muller,' the boy said and hurried out the door.
Andreas walked through the door that Johannes had shown him. Inside he found Louis tightly clenching Buddy on the table, his face buried in the dog's side. He hated to interrupt. 'Louis?'
Louis looked up at Andreas; his eyes were red and his cheeks were wet with tears. He looked sadly at the dog's body on the table. 'I had to let him go, Andreas.'
'He was old and in pain; it was a kindness to let him go.'
'He was the last I had.'
'The last what, Louis?'
'My last link to my old life!' Louis choked out and buried his face in his hands. 'I'm completely alone now.'
Andreas quickly pulled up a chair and sat beside Louis. He put his arm around his friend's shoulders. 'I know you were close to him, Louis. Our animal friends can come to feel like one of the family. But you are wrong, my friend. You are not alone.'
'But they're all gone now, all of them. Tina, the kids, and now Buddy. Everything I knew and loved is gone.'
'And I say again, Louis, you are not alone. Buddy saw to that.'
Louis looked up, confusion on his face. 'What do you mean?'
'Buddy was how old, fifteen?' When Louis nodded, he continued. 'That is a long life for a dog, Louis. He has had sore joints and could not walk well for the last two years. Even the veterinarian didn't know why he held on for so long, but I think I know.'
'What are you talking about?'
'Buddy was looking after you. He couldn't leave until he knew you would be okay. He had to wait until you had a new family.'
'But my family is all gone. Buddy was the last I had.'
'Your old family is gone, Louis, and I will help you mourn them. But you have a new family now: Magda, Veronika, Johannes, all of them. And you have me, Louis. I heard one of you up-timers say that friends are family that you choose. Louis, I am your friend and your brother. Buddy's final act was to make sure you had a new family so that you weren't alone.'
Louis looked up at Buddy again. For several long moments he stared at the dog before speaking again. 'Will you help me bury him, Andreas?'
'It would be my honor to help you lay your friend to rest, Louis.'
****
Louis looked up when he heard the knock on his office door.
Veronika stood there, looking unsure. 'Herr Garrison, I am so sorry about Buddy. We all loved him; he was one of us and will be missed.'
'Thank you, Veronika.'
She pulled something into view. 'I made this for you.'
Louis took the large square object from her and looked at it. It was a framed sketch, one that Veronika had drawn of Buddy sleeping by the window. On one side a verse was written. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes. 'Thank you.'
'A friend from school gave me the verse when I told her about Buddy. She said it brought her comfort when she lost her pet.'
Louis glanced at the words. 'I'm familiar with it, Veronika. Please, thank your friend for me.'
Veronika nodded and started to turn away. She quickly turned back and wrapped her arms around Louis in a hug. 'I'm going to miss him.'
Louis held her tight and let his tears fall. 'We all are, Ronnie.'
Veronika released her hug and quickly left the office. Louis could see she was wiping away tears. He looked down at the picture and read the words of the poem silently.
The Rainbow Bridge
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 that had 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. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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 . . .
Andreas watched as Louis hung the picture on the wall next to where Buddy's sleeping mat had been.
Louis stepped back and looked at the picture. 'Do you think it could be true, Andreas?'
Andreas looked over the words of the poem. 'I don't know, Louis. I am not a theologian, but I cannot believe that God would forever separate us from those who bring us so much happiness and love.'
Louis nodded towards the window. 'It looks like the storm is over.'
Andreas looked outside. The thunderstorm had passed and the last of the rain was dripping down the window. The cloud front was passing to the east and the afternoon sun was coming out. In the eastern sky a bright rainbow was forming.
****
****
The Society of Saint Philip of the Screwdriver
