Real Life Rainbow Bridge Stories

'Pure Love'

by Luis Hurtado
(Miami, Florida)

Coming back from vacation in North Carolina back in December of 2008, I received a call from my mom stating that she had just rescued an english bulldog from the pound. She knew I was fond of english bulldogs and thought she could surprise me by bringing one home. When I arrived home I found a 6 month old puppy with such a sad look in her face. I decided to name her Cindy at the request of my son.

I quickly grew attached to Cindy. I grew up with animals all my life, but I never had such a tight bond like I did with Cindy. She was much more than just a dog, she was a little girl. All Cindy needed to do was learn how to talk, she was the smartest dog I had ever seen!

As most english bulldogs, she was not without small health issues. When I received her she had a cherry eye on both eyes, allergic reactions to certain dog food, Hair loss, and long dark tear stains. I spent the first 6 months taking her to the vet. I got her cherry eyes fixed, bought her the most expensive dog food I could find, and treated her hair loss by annointing her with creams every night. I especially wiped and cleaned her tear stains away. After her bath, Cindy knew the routine, daddy had to clean her eyes. I could not bare the fact of ever seeing my dog sad!

Cindy was always said to be "Pure Love" because she could never get enough of it. She loved to be kissed and hugged. She enjoyed returning her love as well. For Cindy, every time my wife and I returned home, it would be a cause for celebration. I miss her so much!

In March of 2010, I recieved my income tax. I knew that spaying dogs was a good thing because it helped them live longer and avoid other serious illnesses as they age. I took Cindy to the vet for her operation. I gave her a kiss goodbye and told her I'd be back to pick her up. That was the last time I saw my Cindy alive. The next morning I received a call from the vet's office asking me to rush to the Hospital as soon as possible. Cindy went into cardiac arrest. By the time I arrived, Cindy had passed away. I was handed over her lifeless body. My life came crashing down at that moment. My heart had been ripped out of my chest. I lost a child that day.

A day after her death I spotted one of her toys at the back door leading to the yard. I thought nothing of it, maybe just coincidence that I had not seen it there before. I missed two days of work and all could do is cry and feel completely depressed. That night, while my wife and I laid in bed and cried, we both heard her bark as clear as day! Again, I thought it was just coincidence, maybe a neighbor's dog has a similar bark as she and we just never noticed. Three days later, as I was making our bed, one of Cindy's anti-flea pills came flying out of the sheets. I was left speechless. What was a flea pill doing in my bed? Especially a brand that I had not bought in months perhaps even over a year! I was convinced that it was sign from Cindy on that day.

Do I believe she is still alive? Yes. Am I satisfied that she is gone? No. I miss her terribly and I continue to cry even as I write this story. I feel that my time with her was cut short. I've heard of stories of animals reincarnating. I'm praying that something like that could happen to me. I'm praying for a miracle. PLEASE GOD !