July 26, 2007
Baby Pics
Okay, I promise not to be the really annoying person who just posts tons of pics of their kids and e-mails video clips and goes on and on and on about the baby ... but people are bugging me for pics so here's a few. I'll start putting these on a separate site so that this doesn't become a baby-log. On the other hand, he is REALLY cute...
July 20, 2007
The Day The World Changed
Logan Alaric Bentley was born today at 8:55am. 9lbs 12.4oz. Mother and baby are doing great.
Aunt, Father, and Maternal Grandmother pictured above.
More later, back to the moment now.
July 08, 2007
Pet Poetry 3 of 3: Ode to Lolita
(backstory: as with her sister, China, I started on Loli's poem when she fell ill and released it upon her death.)
Lolita Berhow. February 28th, 1993 - July 6, 2007
Bid-Dump. ba-dimp. Bid-Dump. ba-dimp.
Bid-Dump, there goes Loli off to have a snack
ba-dimp, here comes Loli, "pet me know, I'm back"
"Purr puurrr purrr", a sign of sleepy petting done well
Bid-Dump, there she goes again, for how long we can never tell.
For soon it's ba-dimp, Loli's back on the bed
Stalk, stalk, nudge, and Melissa scratches on her head
"Purr puuuur purrrr", a sign of sleepy loving done well
Bid-Dump, off she goes again, for how long we can never tell
For 14 years Loli ran her game with predictable routine
There were some variations but always a constant theme
For every Bid-Dump was followed by a ba-dimp, as sure as the sun would rise and set
For nothing etches itself in your heart like the motion of your pets
Bid-Dump, there goes Loli off to stalk the night
ba-dimp, here come's Loli, coming to curl up tight
Stalk, nudge, purrr, late night brushing done so well
Bid-Dump, off she goes again, for how long we can never tell
Then one eve we heard Bid-Dump, and we wondered if it was her last
Though we expected another ba-dimp like the millions in the past
Sadly, she passed this time, her big heart finally let her tail go limp
...and for evermore Melissa will sleep lighter ... listening for ba-dimp.
Pet Poetry 2 of 3: Ode to China White
(backstory: China was a cat that was somewhat unwelcoming of strangers but very affectionate towards her "mom". She was quite large, close to twice the weight of her sister Loli. China and Loli lived on Buckthorn Way, in a house I always thought was too cold, at the time of writing. I started working on the poem when China became ill and released it upon her death).
China White Berhow. February 28th, 1993 - December 22nd, 2006
Listen now children and hear a tale, a tale of terror and fright
There once lived a creature of near infinite mass and unbelievable might.
She dwelt under the Buckthorn Bridge , and came out to feed at night
The creature of which the legends told: The Combative, China White
Her coat was grey as dusk, her eyes yellow as fire, her fangs they glistened white
Her hiss made grown men cower and contained all of Hell's fury and spite
Her claws were sharp and quick they rent flesh, to her obvious delight
...Yet the Buckthorn Bridgetender swore she was a gentle creature, who purred and cuddled tight
The Villagers knew the Bridgetender was daft, brain frozen from the cold
For the Buckthorn land was a frozen waste, or so the stories are told
She wove tales of a cuddly kitten, who slept on chests, and on her back seductively rolled
Who greeted visitors downstairs, sniffed the outside air, and had a heart pure and bold.
The villagers who visited the Buckthorn land, saw no evidence of the Bridgetender's claims
They withheld their petting and stroking hands for fear they might be maimed
Yet she zealously defended the beast and swore she had been tamed,
And that only the bridgetender's absence in her formative years could hold any blame
Then one day, in that frozen land, after age caused the creature's breath to be snubbed
A frequent visitor offered a finger as a gesture, after removing his glove
To the amazement of all she lovingly nudged his digit, I swear to the stars above
That night it became clear the Bridgetender was right ... China , just wanted to be loved.
Pet Poetry 1 of 3: Rainbow Bridge
When Melissa's cat, China White, died, the most excellent hospice vet who managed her end of life care (came to the house and ended her pain; also made paw print mementos, kept fur clippings, and arranged for the return of the ashes), Dr. Jennings of Waggin Wheels, sent a follow up card with a poem called The Rainbow Bridge.
I find it impossible to read without being moved. The copy is below. Hunting around the Internet it appears that the authorship is undecided Wikipedia.org. In any case, it makes my attempts at poetry over the passing of pets seem woefully inadequate.
The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Raindbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green-grass.
When a beloved pet dies, she goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm Spring weather. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stop and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly she begins to run from the group.
Flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet you cling together in joyous union. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from you heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.