STELLA ROSE LONG

5/21/2018

Friends,

I asked Andrea (Casey and Jessie's Mom)  if I could release this private letter that Stella had sent to Casey the day before he went to the bridge.  The letter is a part of Stella's story and how strong friendship can be.   Deb

 

5/10/2018

My Dearest Casey:

I am writing you this letter instead of sending you a message because I think it will be easier for you to read this way.  Plus selfishly I get to practice my computer skills just in case in the future mom quits sending texts for me.  Anyway, I have a whole bunch of words I want to say but I don't want this to be ten pages long so I want you to know I am doing my best to not ramble on and on.

First of all do you remember you and Cinderella were one of our very first friends we made on Blogville.  I don't really remember which of us joined first but you have always been in our family.  I had never had a friend that was not a pug but instantly I fell in love with your kind eyes and loving face, and of course I admired those lonnnng legs of yours.  I was so impressed that your mom fostered you and then kept you, and that showed me also how much kindness and love she has in her heart for you.

I know I never got to go to any of the Blogville events with you as a date but we were always there as friends weren't we…and sometimes friendships last a whole lot longer than dates. Plus you were the first one I got to meet in the real skin at the blogville retreat, you and Jessie came running out to see me!!

So, I know that you are sick now, and from what momma tells me tomorrow you will go to the bridge to be with your sisters.  Casey I have this story I want to share with you and that is the reason I am writing this letter to you.  I hope when you and your mom are done reading this you will feel better cos that is what my pug heart wishes more than anything.

You know that I have had some health problems also. I tell you Casey between being blind, half deaf, a little crazy in the head, bladder stones and my back legs not working right, life can sometimes get a little tough, at least for mom, cos she loves me and it hurts her on the days that are hard for me.  Some days are really good and on those days I see her have hope in her face, and then on the days that are hard I see mom suffer.  So I had a long talk with her about a month ago.  I have my best talks with her in the middle of the night, when she is asleep cos then in the morning when she wakes up she thinks it was all a dream, but it really wasn't.  I bet you do that also.

I made a decision and I talked to mom about it that night.  I also sent a special email to River Song (remember his mom does the blog about the rainbow bridge--Marsha) because I needed his permission and apparently the "Big Guy".  That is what River calls him.  I shared my plan with them, and at first the only response I received was a ugly unhappy emotion face; but I really didn't care cos I am a stubborn little girl, but then the next day I received an email from River Song and even though they really did not like my plan they agreed to let me do it.  So here was the plan I presented to them.

On the day that I leave for the bridge, I am packing a pup (lol) tent, my favorite blankie and toy, camping chair, several boxes of graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows, and extra long sticks for roasting.  I have heard through the rumor mill that the bridge is 22 steps long.  Now I am not sure this information is factual and maybe when you get there you can let me know the truth about that.  So I decided I would take exactly 11 steps, which is halfway across the bridge, put up my tent, get my chair out, fix me a few smores, wave at all my family and friends from the rainbow bridge and then wait on my mom.  For however long it takes.

River told me I was strong to make this decision, but I really think that is a lie and he thinks I am stupid cos the rainbow bridge is so much better living, in a pup tent. Oh well.

But, once I found out that you will be waiting at the edge of the bridge, I decided instead I would walk 21 steps across the bridge, and set my tent up.  That way I am only one step away from you, and all my friends, and Sammy J., Trudie and little Cotton.  Also, I researched it and in human time 21 steps is still real close to my momma. 

Every day you can stop by cos I am only one step from you, eat a smore with me cos your legs are long enough to reach those extra long roasting sticks I brought, and we can have some good talks and laughs. 

I hope you are not upset with me cos of my decision to sit on the bridge, but it is something that I MUST do until I am absolutely sure my Mom has learned the lesson that I was sent to her to teach.   Once I am positive that she has, I am sure you will help me pack up my tent, toys, chair and blankie and walk me that one step over the bridge.

I knew from the very moment Casey that I met you that you and I were going to have an important connection at the end of our earthly lives, and now I know what that purpose is.  I know everything has a plan and that even as dogs we don't always know what it is, but now I understand why we were destined to meet through our moms blogs.

I am not sure when you will see me on the 21st step, but I bet when you get to the bridge you will know the exact day.  I do ask a favor from you that you not share that information with me as of yet. 

Until we meet again my dear friend, I will look for you each night in the stars, and on the days that are a little rough here on earth I will feel you by my side.  I have been truly blessed to have known you here on Earth, and in the future it will be a true celebration when we are together.      Your Friend, Stella Rose Long

On Saturday May 19, 2018 Stella Rose Long went to the Rainbow Bridge. I knew all week that something was off with Stella, and by the end of the week, her quality of life was slipping away.  On Saturday we had an appointment with her vet that I had made earlier in the week and I knew in my heart what the vet would tell me.  Stella Rose though was very strong, and calm, and relaxed.  She never had rode in the car very well, and on that day she lay on her blanket, and just calmly looked at me.  It was like she was telling me everything would be right in the world.  We did have one last special talk though before she crossed over from this world to the other, and I reassured her she did not need to wait for me on the 21st step, that I figured out about a month ago just what her lesson was to me, and I promised her I would fulfill it.  I told her I wanted her to cross over the bridge, and become healthy and happier and to be with all her family and many friends.   I told her I loved her a million times a million, and said all the words that she already knew.  

I do want to share this with you.  When we got to the vet and was in the waiting room, suddenly a big boxer came running through the door, with his mom.  Apparently he had run all over the parking lot, and she was all out of breath.  You could tell he was full of lots of energy and excitement.  When he saw Stella he came running over to her and just looked at her.  I knew in my heart, that Casey had found a way to let me know she was going to be just fine.  I will always remember that moment.

Now, in the quiet moments grief hits me hard, and I hear her quiet voice tell me it's okay to feel all the emotions I am feeling and all the tears will help heal the hurt.

Thank you all my friends here in blogville and on facebook who have let us into your lives and hearts.  Deb, Maggie and Gussie.