Watching from Above
Tags: Rainbow Bridge, Loss, Dogs, Short Story, Dog Stories

Watching from Above

© Dennett —Sophie — Jan. 2019

That’s me before I left earth. I’m Sophie. You read about my sister here:

And, believe me, she truly is a princess — always was.

Once you’re an angel dog, you’re not supposed to miss those you left behind, but I do miss Syau so much. We were always together. Not like identical twins but like Yin and Yang — opposites. Different but complementary.

She was haughty — you know, the whole princess syndrome — and standoffish with most people and all dogs. I was down-to-earth and friendly with everyone. Well, until we started walking in our new neighborhood . . .

You see, we used to live in a big house and only went outside in a backyard with a high brown fence. We didn’t go on adventures until we were adopted by Dennett and Captain Argentina. We had a good life in that house, though. We were loved greatly. But, those people — I called them parents but Syau called them servants — needed to move and couldn’t take us with them.

Our first mom cried when our new parents drove away with us. Our first dad held her and waved goodbye to us. I think he was crying, too.

We were confused and scared. We were in the car for hours. Syau threw up — many times. She always did that in cars. Also part of the princess thing.

Eventually, we arrived at a house connected to other houses. I’d never seen that before! The house had a little backyard but no fence. Where would we pee and do number two??

In the house were cats — yes, CATS! We used to sit on the back of the couch in our old home and go crazy when we saw a cat stroll down the street. And, now, we had to live with two of those despicable creatures! Don’t worry, we got used to them but never liked them.

The house also had two furry animals in cages that the new parents called guinea pigs. I saw a pig on TV once and these furry potatoes did not look like that pig. But, they looked delicious! Yummy treats, I thought. The new parents noticed that I licked my lips whenever I saw those funny pigs, so they made sure I didn’t get too close. Syau, of course, ignored the pigs.

Anyway, because there was no high brown fence in the little backyard, the new parents attached ropey things to our collars and took us on what they called walks. Wow, walks were exciting! We saw so many things we never saw before. We saw lots of other dogs walking at the end of long ropey things. This walking stuff was very popular in our new neighborhood.

At first, I was so excited to meet all the dogs! But, some growled at me. Some jumped at me. I growled back with a bravery I really didn’t have. Syau ignored other dogs until she saw me face-to-face and growl-to-growl with one.

You see, Syau is a pure-bred Lhasa Apso. Her ancestors protected Tibetan monks. I’m half Lhasa and half poodle with the poodle part dominant. My ancestors sat at outdoor cafes wearing angora sweaters, watching stylish French people walk by.

Embarrassingly, I started the fights and Syau finished them. Like I said, Yin and Yang.

After we adjusted, life was very good with our new parents, despite cats and pigs I couldn’t eat.

Then, I got sick. First, I just didn’t have a lot of energy. Our new mom took me to the doctor and I had an operation. He said I’d feel better. And, I did, for a little while. But, then I didn’t. I felt worse. Many more trips to the doctor. New mom stuffed little hard things in tasty pockets that I ate. She said the hard things would make me feel better. But, they didn’t.

Then, I couldn’t see well. Then, I couldn’t see at all. It was difficult not being able to see. Fortunately, my nose still worked and I could get around. But, life wasn’t as much fun as before.

Then, I got fat. Doc said it was my cancer (Huh?), but I know it was because I was eating a lot. I substituted food for sight. So, I was fat and blind and slow and tired and life was even less fun.

Syau knew something was wrong with me. She would lick me until my fur was wet. That’s how she showed her love and concern.

One day, new mom took us on a walk, but I barely moved. She reached down and petted me. I felt wet drops on my face. We went home before finishing the walk because I couldn’t.

Then, new mom put me in the car for one last ride.

I could smell the dreaded doctor’s office but was too tired to care. New mom held me in her lap and more wet drops fell on my face and back.

I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew I’d never go back to the house without a high brown fence and that I’d never see Syau again.

That made me sad but I was too tired to be too sad. I just wanted to sleep but couldn’t with all the noise in the doctor’s office.

Then, after a long wait, we went into a small room and new mom put me on a cold table. I smelled that I’d been there before. I heard her talking to the doctor. He sounded very serious and she sounded very sad.

Something poked into my skin. I began to feel sleepy but I had one more thing to say to new mom.

I raised my face to where I knew she was and whispered telepathically, cause dogs can’t talk:

Take good care of Syau. Treat her like the princess she is.

New mom heard me. She put her face against mine and said softly:

I will. I promise.

And, I fell asleep.

When I woke up I was in a different world. Oddly, I could still see the old one. Wait, I could see again! Well, that was one plus to leaving the old world.

I saw new mom and new dad crying. I saw Syau wandering around the house whimpering. She was looking for me. I wanted to help her — to tell her where I was and that I was okay and I could see again, but I couldn’t get Syau to understand. So, I tried to whisper telepathically to new mom like I did in the doctor’s office before I fell asleep, and it worked.

New mom held my collar down for Syau to smell. My scent was there but was also far away and Syau knew — she knew I was gone.

I miss everyone. I miss being petted and having Syau lick my fur and I miss our walks. And, yes, I even miss the cats.

But, I watch the old world like people watch TV. It’s not the same as being there but it’s all I have.

I know that one day, Syau and I will be together again. But, I also know she’s not ready to come where I am.

So, I watch from here and see new mom and new dad treating my beloved Syau like the process she always was.

And, I’m happy.