Mighty Bear III - One of my Best Friends

I found out last night that one of my Best Friends passed away on Friday.  Mighty Bear III, was born in July of 1999 out in South Dakota.  His mommy was a yellow lab that passed away from carelessness when he was 4 weeks old, and his daddy was Mighty Bear II, a 130lb Black lab.  I had wanted another pup so that my oldest Buddy, or affectionately known as Butterball would have a little brother to play with at home.  Roger was not quite sold on the second dog, and so I left Shakopee, alone in my Grand Prix and I drove to Sioux Falls, SD alone to get my second son.  When I got there, there were many other families there to find a new puppy to love.  Bear Bear was lying alone in the corner.  No one wanted him, he had a little skinned paw which I had not figured out what happened.  Bear approached me, and it was love.  He chose me.  He was quite and reserved, and he was mine.


So we got all set and got in the car.  He wanted to ride in my lap, and so I let him for 50 or 60 miles.  Then like any puppy it was naptime.  So he crawled to the passenger seat and rested his head on the console, and slept the remaining 2 or 3 hours home.  I kept sneaking a peek at my sleeping baby.  Then I told him all about his big brother and how much fun they were going to have growing up together and how I hoped he would not chew on my shoes like his big brother did.  Finally we were home.  I woke my sleeping babe and took him in the house to meet his new family.  I think if Buddy could talk he would have some choice words for me.  What is this mutant creature you have brought home.  Bear Bear perked up and wanted to play, but Buddy just laid on the ground and looked at him funny.  We took them out in the yard where Buddy again laid in the grass as Bear jumped on him and nibbled on his ears.  Buddy would take a nip here and there, but nothing ever mean, just little love warnings.  You could tell that Buddy was in Father mode.  He took care of Bear, and as the weeks went on started tug of war and playing with him as I had hoped they would.  I would have Buddy on one side and Bear in my lap, until he outgrew his brother, and then we all had to sit on the floor.


Bear was always calm, but had that puppy spirit in him.  Even at 8 and 9, Buddy would still jump around and pretend he was 2 again.  He loved his his Big Brother Buddy.  When Buddy died in Pequot Lakes, Bear took it very hard.  He knew the car that hit him, and everytime it drove by, he would jump up and growl.  He would see Buddy walking around the house and cry for weeks after we lost Bud.  He was alone.  Then Roger wanted to get a friend for Bear.  Roger felt so bad that Bear was so depressed.  So we drove from Brainerd to Mayer to get Oliver aka Bailey.  Bear hated Oliver from the onset.  I ended up riding home with my Bear in my lap in the truck while Oliver stayed with Roger in the front.  Bear Bear growled every 10 minutes for the 5 hour trip home.  Once we got home it was not any better.  Bear would growl and nip at Oliver has Oliver tried to play with him.  Poor Oliver, but that was something that Bear and I had in common.  We both were still mourning the loss of Buddy, and we were not ready to take on the emotional commitment to Oliver.  So Oliver became Roger's dog, and as always Bear remained devoted to me.


About a month after Buddy died Bear was still depressed.  He had his first seizure.  I have never been that scared in my life.  I did not know what was happening and I though my last baby was dying right in front of my eyes.  So against the Vets instructions.  I got down on the ground and held him in my arms until it was over and for 30 minutes afterwards.  He was alert, but scared.  I could not leave him on the floor alone, I had to let him know that I was there, that I loved him.  I could care less if he was going to bite me, it did not even cross my mind to be honest.  As Bear and Oliver grew, Oliver's behavior became, well unmanagable.  So we found a doggie boot camp and we drove Oliver down for his 4 weeks of training, because we were not cutting the mustard.  When we got there, a beautiful chocolate lab named "Shasta" was running around.  She was 12 weeks old and just beautiful.  She was AKC, and the Mailman had dropped her litter off with the trainer.  She was the last one.  Roger kept eyeing her up.  She was unusual for a female.  She had a large block head.  Most of the female labs have smaller rounded heads.  It was over after about 15 minutes.  Roger was in love.  So was Bear.  I think it was because she was a girl, Bear did not mind her so much.  So we dropped Oliver and acquired Raven and made the journey back home.


Bear and Raven hit it off instantly.  Even though Oliver would play with Raven, he was mean and would be overly agressive.  Bear would step in and let Oliver know that his behavior was unacceptable.  He took good care of her and even aloud her to be mom's lap dog while she was a pup.


As time passed, we were blessed with getting pregnant.  A feat that we had been told would not happen.  That is actually the reason that we had 3 dogs.  They were the children we would never have.  But like most you never know what the big man has in store for you.  After Tucker was born he loved Bear.  He loved to play with him and pet him, and just look at him.  Then when I found out I was pregnant with Bennie, I knew that I could not do all of it.  I could not give my Bear, the attention that I felt he needed, more over the attention that he DESERVED.  He had been good to me for almost a decade, and I had to make the very difficult decision to adopt him and the others out.  Turns out that it worked out well.  Oliver went to a home ALONE.  Which was good for him.  He never really got along with Bear and Raven.  Then my Bear and Raven went to Tammy's.  She had them for over 2 years, and I missed Bear every birthday, every New Years, every October, I missed him.  To be honest, there were times when I just wanted to call and say I made a mistake, I want them back.  But then I knew, he was being better taken care of, and getting to go to work, and sleep in beds.  I could not do that, it was selfish.  So I tried to put him out of my mind.  Trying is not doing though.  I was recently told that I have some physic abilities.  Something I have known for awhile.  I have gut feelings when something is wrong.  I know when old friends are having babies that I have not talked to in years, and yes, a week ago, I knew that something was wrong with one of the dogs, though I feared it was Raven.


I have always been ignorant about my pups.  Well Buddy and Bear especially.  They were my originals, they were my best friends.  I never thought either would die, I just assumed they would always be here.  Bear Bear, mommy is sorry that I could not say Good Bye to you.  Mommy is sorry that you were so sick, I had no idea.  I am glad that you had Raven as you went through this, but I will always feel guilty that I did not do more.  I should have been with you, I should have known, I should have fixed you.  The only comfort I am finding is that I know you have been reunited with Buddy.  That you two are running through the grass again together and eating the dog food right out of the bag.  I love you Bear Bear, please give Buddy a big hug and lick for mommy, and I will see you soon.  Watch over Raven and guide her until she can be with you again.  When she gets there, make sure that you introduce her to Buddy and give her attention too.

This is what I dedicated to Buddy and now to you Mighty Bear:


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.



When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.


All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who 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 stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.


You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. 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 your heart.


Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....