General Jem

This is General Jem writing to you from the Rainbow Bridge. I haven't

been feeling very well lately and Hu-mom and Hu-dad gave me one last and

welcome gift; the gift of freedom from the bonds of my body, peace and good health.

The dog doctor came when hu-mom called to say it was the time for me to

go. She held me in the snow and told me all about the Rainbow Bridge and

Silver Harnesses. She said she would see me when I flew through the night

during the aurora borealis. She asked me not to be upset that she wasn't

going with me. She knows we will be together again some day but that her

work on earth isn't finished. She told me Jake, Keeno, Blizzard, Bigby,

and Blaze would welcome me and show me the ropes up here. She said she

knew there would be a large army for me to command and that I would be

kept busy. She said when I arrive, there won't be as much work for the

generals already up here and that we can share responsibilities.

While she held me in her arms and talked to me, I fell asleep. Then I

could see water coming from hers and Daddy's eyes. I don't want them to

be sad. I want them to be happy that I am young and healthy again, free

from discomfort and able to run for miles like I used to. I know I will

meet a lot of cousins and new friends here and that we will have fun

together. I promise to visit hu-mom and hu-dad when they are lonely.

When the water comes out of their eyes, I will lick them dry and tell them

all is well with me, that I miss them a lot but will have to wait until it

is time for us to be reunited.

One thing I am glad I was able to do before I came here and that was to

welcome Mila and give her the rank of Sgt. I hate leaving anything

unfinished and disorganized. My successor, the next general, will have

enough to do learning the rules of our organization and getting to know

the troops. Please welcome the next general and help him/her along until

he knows the ropes.

General Jem.