Hello,

Last week Jazzi came over the bridge. Frankie and Ryley and I watched her grow younger as she came to us, her step lightening, her strength returning, and her joy at seeing her sisters unmistakable. As she leaped the last step to land into her sisters paws, they started to roll and roll and wrestle in joy. I followed as they rolled through the field of everchanging flowers, through plastic bag land and into cheesecake valley, past the toy tower and hammock haven, and straight into dirt mountain. They were dirty, but oh!!! the joy of being together again. It is a joy that is impossible to describe, until you are here.

We got clean in the ferretone river, as well as snacked a bit, and then went to the reflecting pool to check on their mommy.Frankie and Ryley showed Jazzi how to send ripples of love through the pool down to their mommy and fursister Tanna. Then the sisters went to search for a bigger home, settling into a giant fleece cube that hangs from the stars above us, that is perfect for them, and always has plenty of room for those of us who visit. Jazzi wants her mommy to know that she is fine, feeling like a young jill again. Don't be afraid to look for her, because she and Frankie and Ryley are always where you least expect them, and especially when you need them.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

I was walking near the field of everchanging flowers when the gentle voice called me to the bridge. I knew that this jill would be a special jill, from the number of ferrets coming to greet and groom her.

Peanut came to us as you would expect an alpha would, watching straight ahead and checking out every smell on the bridge. When she came over to me after being groomed, I said, "You have so many titles on earth Peanut."

"And I earned every one of them too." , she replied with a giggle.

After stopping in on the wardance marathon at Kibble Korner (she won, by the way) we went to the reflecting pool to see her human parents and fur siblings back on earth. She talked alot about them, and is so grateful that they knew what was best for her, what she wanted because she would have gotten alot worse. What is love but to give the one you love what you know that they would want, what you would want if you were in their paws? That is, by far, the greatest love that many sing about, that we have all heard about.

Peanut and I will be going to the jingly ballroom tonight. That is always so much fun!!



I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

You know, when the sweet gentle voice told me that Piccolo was coming over on April 1st, I was surprised. It was April Fools on earth, but the gentle voice said no, he was making his way over the bridge, and so I was suddenly there to meet him.

Of course, I was not the only one. All of the business that had come before him were there to groom him, and they played and dooked and played some more!! Piccolo also, my dookness, came over with his wings, and some do, so we all flew high over the ferretone river, the kibble shack, laundry bag land, cheesecake valley, dirt mountain, need I dook more?

He is feeling so much better, Piccolos' mommy, and he says to tell you that is wonderful to breathe all the flowers and grass and yummy stuff here, and to be able to run through all the miles of tubing too. He misses you alot, but is looking at you even now through the reflecting pool and the glass tower in the highest tree here on the bridge. Now that he can do anything he wants, he wants to be that gentle warm breeze you feel against your neck, lifting up your hair when you least expect it.

He is here, and safe, and waiting for Bow.


I am here if you need me.

Hello,

I know that on earth last weekend was very sad for many humans. But here at the bridge, it is both sadness and joy, because a ferret has everything here while they wait for their humans. And time has no limit here, what feels like a long time on earth can be an instant for us. But we will wait as long as we need to to see our humans again.

Sphynx came over the bridge at full speed, not even wanting to stop and be groomed. He had to get to the reflecting pool to check on his mommy. He stood by the pool whispering to her for a long while. He wants her to know that sometimes, some things happen that are no ones' fault, and that he is doing fine. He then went to lie in that special space where he is in his mommy's heart. Do you feel him there, Sphynx's mommy?

Then I saw, of all the jills, Jasmine. She was one of the most beautiful jills I have ever seen, with the wisest eyes. We walked and talked for a while and she told me of her life. She had dreamed of the rainbow bridge, and was awed by being her. She wants her mommy not to feel bad because she came over so fast, sometimes that is just the way it is with a ferret. Watch for her, Jasmines' mommy, she is the breath of air, the flash of sun that you see. She is with you.

So then Raleigh came quietly but regally over the bridge. He, of course, is one of the elders. He will be a teacher here as he waits for who he calls, not his foster mommy, but his real mommy, who showed him love and care every day she had him. He knew, Raleighs' mommy, don't ever doubt that. He knew of your love, and is watching all of you, and his brother that you rescued too.

Trixie came flying over and was greeted by Mollie and Rudy. They danced and danced, and gossiped and dooked and laughed for hours. She is glad that she is with her siblings, but misses her mommy . She told you that she loved you too, did you hear it, Trixies' mommy, and she knows that you heard it too. It was time for her to come here, so she did what she knew would be easier for you because of that love. She came on her own; but will be with you always.


I think that I will take a long walk and reflect on this weekend.

They are safe her.

I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

It has many earth days since Mocha came to join her sisters at the bridge, and since she has arrived it has been hard to keep up with the four of them!!

Mocha came over at top speed, and landed into the paws of Latte, Tsunami and Typhoon. There was much squealing and giggling and dooking together as they whispered hello and caught each other scents. Then the sausage sisters were off and running!!

They dived bombed others at the ferretone river, crash landed into packing peanut park,swooped over cheesecake canyon and loaded up with cheesecake, and together terrorized the treat tavern. My dookness, it was fun!! Of course, as a guardian I had to go with them to make sure Mocha was okay, right?

Later Mocha came to me and we talked. She is happy to be with her sisters, but misses her earth mommy and daddy. She wants them to know that she is doing okay, feeling better than she has in a long time. All of the sisters are grateful for their earth parents love and attention to help them become the ferrets that knew how much they were loved and protected, no matter what.

I think I will go over to the kibble kave, where the sausage sisters are snorkeling right now. These four jills are a blast together.



I am here if you need me.

Echo

Hello,

So many have come over the bridge lately. Where do I start??

The Veepers came over, sticking close together, and were greeted by the rest of their earth mommy's business that had come before them. They were a little scared and confused, but after being groomed by their business they began to feel better. You know what, Veepers' mommy? It is a good thing to grow up here, and they will be guided by your other furkids that are here. They are safe.


Then Dervish came over at approximately 1000 miles per hour!!!! She had oh so much to do, you know, and did not let any grass grow underneath her paws, if you dook what I mean. We stopped by the reflecting pool to see her mommy, and Dervish spoke softly to her, the love glowing from her down to her mommy by way of the water. She wants her mommy to feel better because it wasn't her fault. As we at the bridge know, no one, human or ferret, knows when it is time to come to the bridge. She loves you and knows that she was loved and will always be there to watch over you, Dervish's mommy. Watch for her, but look fast, she is a quick little jill!!!!


Gavin came over later, as handsome a hob as we have seen, and with the wisest eyes. He seemed to understand everything that had happened, and after he was groomed, came to talk to me. He was worried about Wyatt and their earth mommy; and wanted them both to know that he was okay. He has already got his wings, in fact came over with them, and will be down to see them soon. He will watch over you too, Gavin's mommy, as well as Wyatt and any new fur sibling that will come.

Now, Veepers and Dervishs' and Gavin's mommies, look to the sky tonight. Those stars are blinking for you, to remind you that all is well.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

I am sorry that I have not written lately. Darwin came over the bridge and was in high demand as an elder, and I was so awed by his greatness, that time got away from me. Let me start from the beginning.

The day that Darwin was coming many of the ferrets waited at the bridge. I myself had heard of Darwin, and as the years went by and we knew his wisdom was growing, we were creating a place for him in our hall of elders. Recently before Darwin's journey here, many ferrets had come over together because of earth fire, and the higher ups had decided that keeping watch on them would be one of his jobs after he was groomed as well.

So Darwin came to us, and once again it was amazing to watch the transformation from the earth to the ferret side. His eyes twinkled, his walk quickened, and you could almost see the illness that had slowed him in his last day disappear like a mist coming up from his fur. He danced the last few steps, and treated us to more wardancing before he was groomed by the others. Later I came forward to ask him what he wanted to do first.

At the reflecting pool he watched his mommy with love, and whispered to the others left on how to care for her. He thinks that Jack will know exactly what to do. We as a group sent alot of positive energy to Kurt as well, which is something you probably know we at the bridge are good at.

Later, at the great hall, many of us sat at his feet for the longest time, as he regaled us with stories and more from his time on earth, and ferret wisdom such as we had never heard.

Darwin misses his humans and fur siblings on earth, but wants them to know (and they may know already) that he is with them always. He will be there when little Kurt is ailing to help him recover, so if you feel extra warmth around him, Darwins' mommy, you will know what it is.

In the meantime I am keeping vigil here, much as my earth mommy is on earth, for mommy's special human friend who is about to make his own journey to the human side. I remember how he held me, and let me give kisses, and cannot wait to see him again either. His love of children and animals alike will give him a special place everywhere on this side.


I am here if you need me.


Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

It was a quiet,beautiful evening when Marcel came over the bridge. He smelled, I think halfway over, the rest of his business waiting for him. Then the quiet exploded into laughter, dooking, shaking of heads and bearing of teeth, lots of talking from those who had come before Marcel. I just sat back a way and watched the fun. After everyone was caught up, Marcel came to talk to me. Might I add, what a polite ferret he is, and well spoken.

He knows that it was hard for his mommy to make the decision to send him here, and he wants her to know that she did every thing that she could to help him get well. While he misses her, he is happy to be well and will soon be able to come down and visit with the rest of your business, Marcel's mommy. Do you feel them, see them in a flash, smell a certain scent? They are with you and will comfort you every day when you least expect it.

Just wait, when you come over they all will be waiting for you, and have such plans in store!! They all will wait patiently, even Flaco, and especially Marcel.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

Al and I have been gone for many earth days, but only a short while here. We went to find Katie.

Now Katie is a DOG, but was Al's best friend while she was on earth. So when Al came to me after he was groomed, the second thing he wanted to was to find her. The first, of course, was the reflecting pool to see his human mommy and daddy. He wiped a small tear away with his paw, and told them that he was not only fine, but felt better than he had in years. Then it was on to the the canine side to look for Katie.

Now, we walked across the road to forever that separates the species at times, and we had to go into stealth mode, because it is not easy for us, as small as we are, to avoid being accidentally stepped on. Wow, let me tell you, everything is enormous there!! The treat tavern alone looks like a mansion to me!! And the number of trees and street poles, fire hydrants and bushes. And not a gate in sight!! We had many many dogs come up and sniff us, but Al; nose to the ground, was all about Katie. And suddenly, my dookness, there she was.

Katie is a boxer, and Al of course, a ferret. But the reunion could not have been more special. Smiling and barking and dooking a thousand miles an hour, they danced and danced, then lay down with Al on top of the massive (to me, anyway) Katie. All of us, dogs and ferret, watched the love grow and shimmer between them And it was decided then and there that Katie and Al would share a place on Mist mountain, where species live together and the reflecting pool is also there too.

Al's mommy, it is good that you got the tattoo where you did. When you least expect it, you will feel a tiny touch there, where Al will be standing, waiting to give you a treat, the treat of peace of mind that you did the right thing, and he; along with his friend, is waiting patiently for you here.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

Al came over the bridge yesterday, helped here by someone who loved him so very much. He walked slowly but with a purpose, and his coat glowed vibrantly when he arrived. After he was groomed by the others, he asked a favor of me; and because I am a guardian and as such watch over him; I agreed.

We are going on an adventure to find a special friend. I will write more when she is found, but want Als' mommy to know that he is safe and well here.


I am here if you need me.


Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

It is time that I wrote about the four that have come to join us at the bridge in the last few weeks. I have waited a bit because sometimes a human needs to grieve a little before they can hear about their fur baby that is now with us.

Emma came over toward the end of the earth month January. She started over daintily; but picked up speed and excitement as she continued to come to us. She had had a beginning that was full of neglect until the right human mommy rescued her and gave her the love and nourishment that she needed. She also had a special sibling in fur named Dobby who also loved her unconditionally. After grooming and watching her mommy in the reflecting pool, she gave me a special message for her mommy on earth:

She is well here, and although missing you, knows that this separation is only temporary. Please know that the special bond that grows between ferret and human is one that only special humans can share, and to remember that not all on earth understand it. Sometimes humans who do not understand will deal with it in a way that is not good, because they are jealous that they cannot find that love that you and Emma have. You will find the continuing love in many things, because Emma is with you still.

Sisters in fur Ratbat and Ravage came over on Wednesday of the last human week. They came paw in paw, but I met Ravage first, as Ratbat was a little shy. Bonnie and Schlindler were there to greet their siblings as well. The celebration was so joyous, and we danced and danced with the beauty of it. After they settled down and got all the gossip from earth, we went to the reflecting pool to check on their human mommy, who loved them so much that she was able to tell them it was okay to come, and to come together.

Bonnie and Schlindler took the girls to their new home next to the toy turnpike, where not only do they have wonderful hammocks and cuddle cups to rest in, but enough transformers to last until their mommy can come to be with them. They are very patient, Ratbat and Ravage's mommy, and will wait for as long as it takes. Smile when you see the twinkle of the stars at night, for those stars are your babies winking back at you.

They next day a glorious shimmering light awakened me from my nap. I raced to the bridge with Pippi, who had grown up here on this side of the bridge. The light came slowing across the bridge, and when it settled on our side, out came a beautiful jill named Lou.

Lou was Pippi's ferret mommy, and when they saw each other it was like they had never been apart. Lou settled down covering Pippi, who cooed and curled into her mom. They were like that for a long time, and many of us stood in awe of the glorious reunion that is mother and kit.

We went to the reflecting pool to see Lous' human mommy, and with her eyes bright and fur shining, she told her mommy that she was completely healed of the abscess that had troubled her for so long, that her human mommy worked so hard to keep her well from. She wants her mommy to know that she is glad that she was able to know what Lou was telling her, and is forever grateful for the love it took to let her come to the bridge. It is a special kind of love, living forever.

Oh, and Lou's mommy? That special toy is right here. Thank you.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,


Miss Frankie came over the bridge a while ago, and was greeted by Ryley, her sibling in fur. They greeted each other with wardancing, teeth bared, and lots of shaking of heads. It is so good to see siblings greet each other, even when you know that there is sadness back on earth. Then for the longest time they just lay there, with Frankie's head on Ryley's back. I just sat back and watched as the line of love grew from Ryley to Frankie and then down toward earth.


After we went to the reflecting pool, Frankie and I walked through the forest together, and she told me of life on earth for her. She knows that her human is hurting, and wants her to know that she is fine here, and is going to wait for her to come and get her and Ryley, no matter how long that takes. She asked me to wait awhile to write this, to give her mommy time to grieve, and to give Frankie time to get her wings so that she could be right with her as she read this. She is there right now, Frankies' mom, beside you giving comfort.

Humans have a funny thing that we do not have, it is called guilt. It makes them very sad. But I need to tell you that no matter what, focus on the love that you and your ferret shared, and continue to share, when you think of her. When you see the clouds breaking through the horizon at sunset, think of the love you shared with her. She is there.


I am here if you need me.


Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

Mr Nibbles came over the bridge about a week ago in human days, and we have been busy exploring kibble kanyon, learning how to use his wings, and looking for the perfect sleepsack for him to live in. He came across solemnly, as a gentleman hob would, and the twinkle in his eye and sureness of his step returned with every second he walked across. He was in fine form when he stepped over, like he had never been sick on earth.

He said that he was very tired at the end, and could not do the fun things he used to, and as such is thankful that his human parents cared for him enough to let him come to us. It is something that a ferret will wish for when the time is near, wondering if the human will be able to hear what we are trying to tell them. Although it is hard, our humans always come through and let us go in peace. That is true love, ferret or human.

Mr Nibbles wants his humans to know that he is fine, feeling tip top again, and watches them constantly from the reflecting pool. Sometimes a human can concentrate, close their eyes and think of their ferret, and then feel their presence with them. This is what Mr Nibbles knows will happen with his humans. He is curling up in the space that is your heart here, so let the peace that he brings with that help you heal; as it helps him as well.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

Things are quieter here so I thought that I would write about baebae. She came to us on what humans call New Years Day, stepping daintily across the bridge. With me was Bonnie, who is a ferret mommy here, and baebae was to be one of her charges.

She is tiny but quite the handful. After Bonnie groomed her, we went to the reflecting pool so that baebae could see her family on earth. She put her paw into the water and made sweet ripples to send to her mommy. We ran for a while so that she could get her bearings here, and I ask what she wanted more than anything here. So she wished, and all her toys from earth appeared in front of her. And you know, there are plenty of places here at the bridge to hide stuff!!

baebae wanted her mommy to know that she is sad that she is not there with her, but sometimes a ferret is called to the bridge early in their life for reasons none of us, human or ferret, understand. She will be okay here, and her ferret guardian Bonnie will be with her.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

I am sorry to take so long to write. We have been very busy here, and I have also been on earth to visit my earth mommy as she grieves over the loss of a member of her human family.

But let me tell you about Cerberus , who came over on what you call New Years Eve. What a fine hob he is, and as he crossed, he grew younger and more handsome with each step. After he was greeted and groomed by the others, he announced that he was there to sail the Ferretone river!!!
And there was no stopping him then!!!

After checking on his family at the reflecting pool, and sending his love, we were off to the edge of the ferretone river. Of course, because he wished it, a wonderful barge appeared so that we could sail. I, of course, had to go with him to make sure he was okay. And besides, it looked like fun!! We sailed and sailed, waving our paws at the other swimmers, and Cerberus' grin grew wider with each greeting.

Later, as we drifted, he talked of his daddy and mommy and fur sister. He misses them alot, but knows that he belongs here for now, and will see them all again in physical form one day. I know, being Cerebus, that when he is settled in his new tent in the valley of the ever changing flowers, he will make the trip down to be there for his family. Watch for him in the wind, Cerebus' humans, and when you are at your SCA events, that quick streak under a tent?. Smile when you see it, because that is Cerebus still inspecting.

I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

It is a beautiful evening here, and Sterling, Oscar and I are on the edge of the reflecting pool, watching their human and fur family, and they are sending their love through the ripples in the pool.

Sterling came to us the other day, and Oscar and I awaited. Sterling and Oscar, being hobs, greeted each other with wide grins and lots of sniffing.Of course, the dominance wrestling came next, and as it is with all fur siblings, it ended in a tie. After catching Oscar up with all the gossip from home, Sterling settled down to talk with me. He said to tell his mommy that he is sorry that he had to leave when he did, but he is glad to see Oscar. Peridot will be okay too, as she, along with all ferrets, believe that all things will come together, and Sterling and Oscar are always there with her and the others. You can look for him too, Sterlings mommy, under the chair, under the couch, and in the texture of the toys he left there on earth, which are also here with him at the bridge.


I am here if you need me.


Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

Later on saturday Harley came over the bridge. His step was quick, his love shown through from the earth side all the way over to us. He was met by his fur siblings who had came before him, and boy, they are a lively bunch!! Their dancing and dooking and giggling got us all going, and before I knew it, much time had passed. You may ask, were we tired after that? Nope, we dooked on for many many hours after that.

Harley and I went to the treat tavern after he checked on his humans at the reflecting pool. He is very sad to have left them, but is happy to be healthy and lively again. His mission on earth, he said, was to teach other ferrets how to be a true ferret, with all the cuteness and kissing and ways to make sure you have your human under your paw, so to speak. So of course he will be one of the teachers here as well. I can hardly wait to sit at his paws to learn.


Harley, Typhoon, Tsunami and Latte left after he had had his fill at Treat Tavern, to go to their home in plastic bag land, a wonderful place to play.


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

It was a bright and sunny day, and we were having tube races. I came out of a brillant yellow tube and was at the rainbow bridge. All the ferrets were very excited, and talking and dooking non stop. Paco was coming!!

I of course knew of Paco from his fur siblings who had come before him. What I didn't expect was the boundless energy that he had speeding across to his fur siblings. Soon they had a ferret on ferret mound, each taking in the others scents, with Paco on top smiling a beautiful smile. They talked and talked and dooked for a long time, so I went off to the side and settled down for a nap.

Later Paco nudged me awake. We went to the reflecting pool to check on his mommy, and he told me of his rescue four years earlier, and the love he had felt from his humans and fur siblings since then. We walked and talked about the wonder that is human, who can love without reservation. Paco is a very nuturing ferret, which he said that he learned from his mommy. His mommy is sad right now, but she can feel his presence always. He has his kong babies with him here too, Paco's mommy. But everytime you pick up one of them on earth, he is with you. Always.


I am here if you need me.


Dooks,
Echo

Hello,

It was a week ago earth time...I was digging in the dust at dirt mountain, and suddenly I was at the bridge. With me were Scooter, Nutmeg, Benny and Jubilee. As we watched the light grow golden from the other side of the bridge, Scooter casually said, "Hope they have stocked up at the Treat Tavern". Caesar was on his way.

He did not hesitate; no, not one bit. He came bounding across the bridge and into the paws of his siblings in fur. What a furball tussle they had. A ferret free for all!! Then, out of the middle came Jubilee dragging Caesar by his scruff!! She laughed and dooked when she let him go. "Got you back!! Dook Dook!! Welcome!!"

After his siblings groomed him, they all sat down to catch up on the gossip from home. Then they hurried to the reflecting pool, with me as well, to watch their mommy on earth for a while. Caesar was sad to see his mommy sad, and I watched the line of love extend from the others to him and again down to earth. He told me that he knew that his time had come to join us, but worried that his mommy could not accept this. I told him that humans grieved in different ways; and that his mommy loved him and always would know that that love was returned. That is the way it is with relationships, human and fur.

Caesar and his siblings have all moved to a wonderful place in Cuddlecup Canyon, which is not that far from the Treat Tavern, by the way. I heard that Caesar had a sweet tooth.

Now Caesars' mommy, I have something for you to do. Look up at the sky, open your arms out wide, then slowly bring them in to a hug. Did you feel that?


I am here if you need me.

Dooks,

Echo

Hello,

You know, daylight savings time does not exist here at the bridge. When we want daylight, there it is; the same with nighttime. Anyway, that extra hour on earth goes by quick here, in just a twinkle.


Little Riley came across a few days ago. His step was swift, but we noticed a worried look in his eyes. After he was groomed and greeted, we went to the reflecting pool. He was very worried about his mommy, with who he had an extra special relationship. Was there anything he could do to help her feel better, he asked. And I told him what I often tell others, that when it is a ferrets' time to come, they come over. As big and vast as grief can be, all he can do is send waves and waves of love to her, and know that soon, in a time we cannot predict, she will know that she has not really lost him, he is always there for her. "I will wait here for my mommy, Echo", he told me, "As long as it takes. I will be patient and full of love to share with her, on earth and while I am waiting here."

Badger came right after that. He was flying across the bridge, he was moving so fast!! When he hit the rainbow side, he just rolled and rolled and rolled through the grass, and flowers, and over the ferretone river, up dirt mountain; well, may I say, it was an effort to keep up with him!! After a stop at the kibble shack, we talked about his love for his mommy and daddy and best friend Annie. He knew that his mommy and daddy understood that he had to leave, and is giving them extra kisses even as I write because they were able to let him come here.

You know, Riley and Badger are alot of fun!! Watch for them in the wind; or even if you find an extra bit of food where there was none before; remember, they are there.

It's time for a tube race. I placed second yesterday, so today is my day!!

Dooks,

Echo