In January, 2002 Cookie crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge at a very young age. She left behind her one & only pup, a baby girl named Maraschino. Maraschino will be living with her co-owner & friend, Rosaline Pierce in Texas.

On September 11, 2001 our country was savagely attacked by terrorists. Suicide Hijackers flew two commercial jetliners into the World Trade Center Towers in New York, one into the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and attempted to fly one into the Whitehouse, but was prevented from doing so by a courageous group of passengers - However, that plane too crashed and all aboard were lost. All in all, in excess of 2,500 lives were lost that day, and that is number still may grow. We are a Nation in mourning, and a Nation at war against Osama Bin Laden, and terrorism worldwide. Below is another version of the Rainbow Bridge, written in September of 2001, just after the attacks on the World Trade Centers and the U.S. Pentagon. Read On:

Rainbow Bridge

On the morning of September 11th, there was an unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made quickly, and they were. An issue, not often addressed here is the fact that many residents have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. Now one on earth ever loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don't talk about it much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, and are happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own special person who thinks you are the most special pup in the heavens.

Last Tuesday morning, a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment. An eager, curios crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 2,500 loving people had left Earth long before they were ready. All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans' pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?", "I'll take two, I have a big heart.", "I have been saving kisses forever." One after another they came forward, begging for assignment. One cozy looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming? I would be very comfortable for a child because I am soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmations came forward asking to meet the Firemen, and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss.

Dogs who on earth had never had a kind word or pat on the head, stepped forward and said " I will love any human who needs love." Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share - each tail wagging an American Flag.

     -- by Alexander Theodore, Bouvier