Rest In Peace, Pie and Lucas

If things weren’t bad enough in this pandemic, we received some very sad news from Jennifer about 2 old friends. Once Jennifer’s note arrived, I could tell from reading it that it was very heartfelt and full of loving emotion. I’m not much of a writer, so I am just going to post this pretty much as I received it.

Every time I try to write I cry. Here it is, written while crying my eyes out.
My dear friend Lucas crossed the Rainbow Bridge last August [of 2019] to be with our little girl Pie who also left us in February [of 2019].
Lucas brought me love, joy and happiness for fourteen years. Lucas had big soulful eyes, an enormous heart and was totally devoted to his people. Even as a puppy he was an “old soul.” In the end, it was his heart that gave out. So much giving. Even then Lucas was calm, at peace and did not let on he was in pain or suffering. He simply walked up to me and told me not all was right and lay down. Lucas was a humble gentleman.

We had a close connection to Lucas and Pie because Pie, Hank, and Otto all came from the same breeder in Virginia. Hank and Otto first met Lucas, and they went on many walks together. Otto really enjoyed the fast pace they managed to keep up. When Hank learned that Lucas needed a playmate, he introduced him to Pie, who was pretty selective in choosing her friends.

Jennifer continued:

Our dear friend Pie came to us in Lucas’s eighth year. With her sunny outlook on life, she never met a dog, child or person she did not like. We found our little friend through Hank. I remember meeting Pie for the first time, Lucas and I passed the test and she was ours! The shy little girl sat completely still on the long ride home. Lucas and Pie became fast friends and enjoyed endless walks in Great Falls Park. Even in later years not able to keep up on foot, Pie would hit the trails in her cart (what a work out) taking in the scenery and meet up with her fawning boyfriends, Hank, Otto, Ernie, Paddington and Peanut.
I will never forget our special years together. Thank you my dear friends. I’ll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Pie may have been shy at first, but once she connected with Lucas, they were inseparable. From what Otto told me, Pie seemed to favor him over Hank. That didn’t stop either of them from trying to win her heart. If you look through the pictures below, you’ll see Pie with Hank and Otto, so I guess that means they both did pretty well in the boyfriend competition.

Jennifer’s note was very sad but I’m going to be stubborn and focus on something other than the sadness.

I hate to hear stories about people being cruel to dogs and cats. When you read Jennifer’s note and look at the pictures, it’s crystal clear that Jennifer and her family loved Pie and Lucas with all of their hearts. Pie and Lucas matched that love step for step. Even wheel spin for wheel spin, because one of those pictures shows a neat buggy with wheels. When Jennifer’s mother hurt her back, Lucas stayed by her side. If people could love dogs and cats with even half that love, think how much better the world would be.

When Hank told the story of OC the Cat, he pulled out a quote from one of his favorite books, Richard Bach’s Illusions. Hank and Otto loved this book and quoted from it to any one who would listen.

I still have a worn copy of the book they left me, out in the open, sitting on the floor in an always-handy spot. I walk past it a couple of times every day so I never forget what they taught me. I think if Hank or Otto were here with me now, they’d pull out their favorite book and remind me of the same message. It’s a message worth remembering:

Don’t be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.

Hank, Otto, Lucas, and Pie. They were all friends. They’ll meet again.

Hopefully, whoever loses the boyfriend competition doesn’t get too depressed because I have absolutely no interest in writing about another sad event.