shmuzings: Passing On

It was a small service attended only by my son and I. He was the last of three, surviving the longest well past normal life expectancy. The weather had just started to change to autumn with a brisk breeze but somehow still refreshing after a long hot humid summer. The grave was dug hastily in the morning and the body just as hastily covered with only a rock to mark its location. I made sure to bury some victuals for his journey into the world to come. I don't know what possessed me to connect with the ancient traditions of burying objects or food that the deceased may need in the afterlife, but I did. I spoke of how he was loved by us all, especially my son and how he would be missed. He was like family and the parting was painful and laden with tears. We hugged and cried together over Dubby, the last of three hamsters.

The night before I returned home to learn that he was bleeding out of one eye and lying on his side. I thought of bringing him to a vet but they would just euthanize him. I stroked his neck and back telling him all will be OK, just find rest and let the pain go. And thank God he died that night so that my kids wouldn't see him suffer excessively.

That night I had a dream with Dubby. First he appeared as ill as described and then suddenly he woke up with strength to climb out of his cage, filled with vigor and ready to go. I wonder if some forces exist out there that signify the passing of a soul and I do believe animals do have souls. Was he saying goodbye and letting me know he will be OK out there, no longer confined in body and time to our home? Unbeknownst to me, at 3:15AM my wife woke up to a bright flash. She looked around and there was no rain outside and she wondered if that was Dubby passing.

Goodbye dear Dubby thanks for all the special moments with the kids. We will miss you :(