by Dennis & Laura Toya
My Dear Laura & Dennis,
Hi Mom & Pop... we all know a week
( 7 days ) has gone by since we parted. I was afraid at first..... until I felt myself getting warmer... as if the sun was shining brightly, but there was also a cool, relaxing breeze on my face. I guess it was probably Thursday morning when I felt it was time to really wake up as I smelled beautiful flowers which reminded me of you Laura. As I lifted my head , expecting to only smell all the wonderful scents around me..... I was totally surprised that I could also perfectly SEE everything as well ! As I went to stand up, expecting my legs to hurt and ache..... it was the strangest feeling... I felt like a kid with new paws and muscles to take me anywhere I wanted to go.... naturally.... After all that vanilla ice cream I had yesterday I had to do what came naturally... I had to pee! I saw a beautiful African Sumac Tree close by and started running towards it.
I had to cross this bridge to get there and saw a beautiful sign on a post that had red & white Vinca flowers around it.. The sign said : "Welcome Maxwell to The Rainbow Bridge."
I ran as fast as I could.. across the bridge and when I got to the tree, instead of squatting like I was used to doing.. a strong urge came over me and I lifted my leg and it felt wonderful... I also felt a little tingle down there and checked it out... lo & behold.... I was a MAN again.. complete with all the equipment God gave me in the beginning. This is going to be a good day I said to myself.
I saw another tree in the distance with a big picnic table under the branches with alot of people sitting and I could hear them all laughing. Better check this out... so with the wind blowing in my eyes and ears...my heart starting to beat faster I started to run & run & run.. ( I never got tired) I was too excited. They saw me coming and started calling my name...
"Maxwell ! Over here ! CMon boy.. weve been waiting for you!"
Who were these people? They didnt sound or smell like you or Dennis... but they knew me ! Now dont get me wrong.. I miss you guys terribly and I know our eyes will meet again someday.. but in the meantime... someone here is happy to see me. Me, "Maxwell Toya ! "
The first person I went up to "seemed familiar" she was a beautiful lady and she scooped me up in her arms and said, "Laura said we should be watching for you.. my name is Julia... when I left earth though, everyone called me "Nannie."
So this is "Nannie?" I like her already cuz she knows me.. and also cuz I smell chicken in that picnic basket! Nannie must have read my mind.. she asked, "Maxwell.. do you like chicken? You must be hungry?
I licked her face with kisses (just like I used to do with you Laura ) and it felt good.
"Do I like chicken? I LOVE it! I also like pizza Nannie!"I said.
As Nannie reached inside the basket, two other voices "chimed in" in unison, " No bones for the little man Nannie !"
I looked at them.. who are these guys? Again Nannie must have seen me cock my head in a "look of wonder" and said, "The tall skinny guy is Lauras dad, "Bill" and the not so skinny guy next to him is Dennis dad, "Armas" They sit under this tree and drink, smoke and play cards all day long. We are expecting "Uncle Charlie"..hes down at the store getting a cigar and "a new deck of cards."
Nannie set me down and the guys called me over..
the one named Armas looked alot like you Dennis so I liked him right away, he picked me up and started rubbing my ears just like you did. I gave him kisses.. and it felt good..He asked how you & Laura were doing and I told him & Bill that you were both sad. "Thats to be expected." They said this in unison. Armas handed me over to Bill and rubbed my back.. which always used to be sore but no longer was. Bill bent down close to my face and said, I can see why they miss you.." So I gave him kisses...and it felt good..
"wheres that chicken?", I thought..
Just then.. a big, big man strolled up to the picnic table and everyone started cheering.." Its Uncle Charlie.. the card shark!"
Who is this little fella? Said Uncle Charlie.
This is Maxwell Toya, Laura & Dennis boy.
Uncle Charlie said, " Get that boy some of your famous chicken Julia!Now this guy I LOVE.. I jumped up, he gave me a bear hug.. I gave him kisses.. and it felt good..
While munching on some of the best chicken I ever had, I answered all kinds of questions from everybody. Had a saucer of cool milk and layed down to rest.
I closed my eyes and thought of you both and thanked God for the wonderful life I had with you both.. how you nursed me back to health so many times Laura.. and Dennis.. you were always there for me too.
As I lay in the shade of that big tree, surrounded by family my nose started sniffing more familiar smells.
I opened my eyes and looked up.. within an inch of my face was "Brandy!!" I got up and we started the "sniff the butt dance!" Brandy came back to my face and said, "Hey big boy..see ya got yourself together again!" Later, lets go to this little place I know.
I gave her kisses..and it felt good...
Brandy said, "Follow me.. there are so many surprises left."
We said our good-byes.. see ya later.. thanks for the chicken and we went down by the stream. There was "Jenner" chasing a butterfly.. he stopped.. looked and ran over to us. Well.. we met him half way. He said, " Max, its great to see you.. oh..oh..I see you got yourself back in the altogether!! 1st rule up here.. no jumping up and hanging on my jaw with those teeth... all is at peace here."
With that...I took a running jump and leaped for his face.... gave him kisses..and it felt good.
Brandy introduced me next to "Dusty" WOW.. this guy is almost as good looking as me! Must be another of Brandys old boyfriends.
We walked towards each other and again the "Sniff the butt dance"
This "Dusty" guy was cool.. we both felt right away that we could become good buddies.. same size.. no intimidation here .. I gave him a quick kiss.. and it felt good.
Next on the "visit list" was this bigger guy. He had a beautiful Black & White coat and really strutted his stuff. Brandy said, "Maxwell.. meet "Sir" he was Lauras & Dennis first!
"Sir" certainly had an "air" about him!
We walked up close to each other and he said, "Any friend of Laura & Dennis is a friend of mine.. welcome... Got any chicken?"
We gave each other a "manly " lick/kiss and ... it felt Good .
We all have eternity to swap stories of our lives with you and contrary to popular belief...us dogs can smile.
So.. Laura & Dennis, I leave you with this thought.. I love you.. I miss you..still come talk to me under the tree, but remember this: I am not there..
My past body is there, but my "whole" eternal body, mind & spirit is waiting for you at the " Rainbow Bridge" and when our eyes meet...we will run to each other and give kisses..and it will feel good!
Maxwell