On the Other Side of the Rainbow Bridge

You squealed with six-year-old delight as I wriggled from Hilda’s belly. I was a runt, the first of five pups who, with our eyes closed, all squirmed for lunch at the same time. You screamed with horror as Hilda shoved me, her runt puppy, away and stepped on my tiny Dachshund tail and broke it. You saved me, holding me in your arms and nursing me with love while feeding me warm milk laced with Karo syrup. I nestled in your doll’s blanket safe and out of harm’s way knowing you’d always be by my side. After 14 days I miraculously opened my eyes. You named me Fritz, a name I rather liked because it means ‘peaceful ruler’ in German. We grew up together, often sitting side-by-side on the back porch where I showered you with Doxie kisses. I was an outdoor dog because being inside your mother’s house was strictly ‘verboten.’ You sometimes snuck me inside, though. When you did, I was so excited that I ran through the house, sliding out of control, with the back of me always going in front of me. I amused you with my tap-dancing skills, the clicking sound my toenails made whenever I walked across your mother’s linoleum floor. We were inseparable except when you started school. I missed you terribly, so I sat at the back gate and waited all day for you to come home. After school, you rushed home and greeted me at the back gate, my tail wagging like crazy. You indulged me with cookies and snacks you saved from your school knapsack while petting my elongated belly and back. You nurtured my German heritage, sometimes satisfying my love for sauerkraut and German lager beer. You taught me German and introduced me to Frieda, the beautiful female Dachshund who lived down the street. You understood my German ‘wanderlust,’ always finding me but never scolding me when I ventured too far from home. When you got older, you confided in me, sharing your deepest thoughts and secrets, occasionally seeking my Doxie advice. Unfortunately, I didn’t speak your teenage language. I did my best, though. I listened intently, tilting my head side-to-side, looking at you with my encouraging eyes, wagging my tail, and barking hoping you’d understand. For 12 years I peacefully ruled your life, or rather you ruled mine. When I became old and ill, my days numbered, you stayed by my side like I knew you would. I miss you and am waiting for you on the other side of the rainbow bridge, where “we’ll cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.”