Category: Friends

Jack, Gracie and Bleu updates, 5/28/2017

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The last three weeks have been interesting in the Neal household; to say the least.

Jack, Brandee and I had been leading a relatively normal life just enjoying our freedom. And then we got insane! Yep, we rescued a puppy and kitten from the local animal shelter. Meet Gracie (puppy) and Bleu (kitten).

 

Jackson Update

First of all, my best boy, Jackson, deserves the most credit for being the greatest older bubby to his sissies. Jack was actually a younger bubby with Bella – and she trained him well. Now that Jack is the elder animal he has been such a caring and terrific brother to his two new sisters. Jack, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you that you can’t believe it!

 

Gracie Update

When Brandee and I thought that we want to bring some energy into the Neal household, we got exactly what we wanted with Graciela. She is every bit of what we had hoped and then-some. Gracie loves to play with both Jack and Bleu but in distinctly different fashions which is interesting to observe.

For example, with Bleu (since she is a small 2 lb. kitten), Gracie is very gentle and cuddly when they play together. It’s amazing to watch these two play together especially since they were rescued/adopted from the same animal shelter on the same day.  It’s almost like they have some sense of a kindred-spirit of sisters. However, when Gracie plays with Jack the ruff-ness (pun intended) is intensified to match his strength. Jack and Gracie love to play tug-of-war with various dog-toys we have. It’s so much fun for us humans to watch but also very healthy for them to play nicely for their body and spirit.

Jack has ‘Gracieusly’ (pun intended again) accepted Gracie as his younger sister well. He has been such a good boy that I can’t be prouder of him.

 

Bleu Update

Our youngest family member, at only seven weeks old, is Miss Bleu Neal. Although she barely weighs 2 pounds and is just a bit larger than the palm of your hand, she is the one person that rules our house for sure.

One of the most heartwarming things to see is when Bleu and Jack play together. You might think this would be an odd-mix with a 100-lb. dog and 2-lb. kitten but they play together so nicely that it’s beautiful.

Bleu is also extremely attached to her sister, Miss Graciela Neal. This is clearly evident in their many cuddle events or the often-playful fake-fighting sessions they enjoy together. It’s very humorous and highly entertaining.

 

Fish Update

We have no update other than we are alive and ignored 😊. However, seriously, I love to pay some extra special attention to our two goldfish, two catfish and one algae-eater and they appear to be doing just fine in their large habitat.

 

Thanks for your time reading this notice from the Neal Family Animal Home,

  • The Neal’s

 

Letter to Pet Heaven for Baby Bella, 5/13/17

KevinLeave a comment

May 13th, 2017

 

Dear Sweet Baby Bella,

We miss you more than ever.  The emptiness of missing you is like a kick to the gut, frankly. Mommy, Daddy and Bubby Love you forever until we see you at Rainbow Bridge again.

My honey-baby, we have rescued two younger siblings for you.  By no means are these two animal-rescue babies meant to be replacements for you. No way!  Brandee and I felt that some younger sibling(s) would be good so, of course, we rescued two babies from the local animal shelter.

Your new younger siblings are named Bleu and Gracie. Bleu is a six-week-old kitten and she’s adorable.  Gracie is a seven-week-old puppy and she’s also a bundle of joy.

Your lovely Aunt Tammye sent Brandee and I a lovely story that was really emotionally sad, yet wonderfully inspirational.  It was a story about some poor rescue animals that, unfortunately, never get saved and go to Rainbow Bridge with you.  These poor animals have no one to cross the Bridge with until The Rescuers come to be with them.  It’s a wonderful feel-good story and I’m so grateful for Tammye to share this with us.

Nearly everything I do to this day is still in your routine. Every morning I go out into the backyard like we used to do together and pray to the lovely sky for peace, happiness and respect. That was my favorite activity of every day with you. I miss that soooooo much and I’m starting this new tradition with Bleu in your great honor. Every morning, noon and night I hope that you can send me a message that you are in peace and comfort.

The outpouring of sentiment for your journey to Rainbow Bridge is amazing and people love you so much.  Everyone has been so supportive of Brandee, Jack and I that we cannot express our gratitude enough. You, our beautiful baby-orange-furr, were a fan favorite of FaceBook for sure.

So, until I write again, your spirit is in-tact, your legacy is strong and you will never be forgotten. Bleu and Gracie are a new generation but you, my sweetness, are the best forever.

Love you forever,

Daddy

Introducing Graciela “Gracie” Dawn Neal

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Brandee wrote this wonderful introduction of our new baby at the Neal home, Gracie Neal.

Hi, folks!

My name is Gracie and I am 6 months old. I am part Dachshund and part Chihuahua. Mom says I am all doxy except for my amazing ears and long legs. A nice lady found me wondering in East San Jose, and called the ASPCA. They picked me up, took me in for a health check and tried to find my people. When no one claimed me, I was taken to the Silicon Valley Humane Society where I was again examined, spayed, had all of my shots and the next day, this crazy lady sat on the floor in front of my cage and said, “You’re the one. I’ll be right back!”

The next thing I knew, I was in her lap giving her kisses and she had all this wet stuff running down her face. I did not care. I liked this lady. She took me up front, signed a bunch of papers and introduced me to this man- she says he’s my Daddy and they are now my parents! Can ya believe it? Just like that! I gots me a new Mom and Dad!

Anyway, I have a big brother now. His name is Jack. I also have a tiny little sister named Bleu. She was in a cage just across the hall from me. Wait until you hear her story. Mom says Dad is sucker for a pretty girl. I don’t know what that means, but I sure love my little sister! I adore my big brother, Jack. He shares his food, bed and toys with me. He is not happy about sharing Mom, but he is coming around. I’ve been here 3 days now, and he is playing with me! PROGRESS!

Jackson’s grief for his Sissy

KevinLeave a comment

May 6th, 2017

Friends and Family,

Brandee and I know that our beautiful canine son, Jackson, is in mourning over the loss of his wonderful feline sister, Bella, a few days ago. Bella and Jack were such a perfect match. They loved each other so much.

Since Bella left and went to Pet Heaven at Rainbow Bridge on 4/27/2017, living in the Neal House has been painful (to be very honest) because we are all missing Bella so much. Brandee, Jack and I loved (and still love; and will forever love our perfect baby), Bella with all our hearts and it really hurts not to have her with us now.

While I can feel my personal pain, and Brandee can express her feelings in words I understand, unfortunately Jack cannot express his feelings in words. All we can try to do is take note of his body language and attitude. Both of which are pitiful recently. He certainly is mourning and missing his sister; without a doubt.

 

JACK’S IN CHARGE

While we know that Jack has always been treated well in the Neal household, Brandee and I have made a commitment to dedicate extra special attention to Jack. We are showering him with compliments and more generous heaps of special loving. He deserves it because he’s always been such a good boy and we know that these past few days have been especially difficult for him without his Sissy around the house.

In fact, this afternoon I took Mr. Jackson Neal on a Saturday afternoon car ride just for the heck of it. I made some excuse to Brandee that I was going to pick up take-out sandwiches for dinner at a local shop but, the truth of the matter is that, I just wanted to spend some time with my most best son ever, Jackson VonHeffington (which is our affectionate name for him). He was so excited to get in the car for the ride. I rolled down all the windows, opened the sun roof, cranked the music and then we headed out on our journey. He stuck his snout out of the right window first, then the left window next and then alternating left-and-right windows for the rest of the trip. It was so much fun Daddy and Son time! I think he really enjoyed himself.

So, it’s Jack’s World and he’s in charge know matter what. We will spoil him rotten and this is just how it’s going to be.

 

JACK’S FELINE LOVE

Mr. Jackson VonHeffinington Neal has always been the epitome of a perfect son to Brandee and I.  We could not ever imagine having such a perfectly handsome dude and we are so grateful for him. An exceptionally wonderful character-trait of Jack is his instinctive care for cats. It’s a strange behavior for a large dog, typically, and maybe I think that living his whole life with Bella gave him perspective that the feline species wasn’t all that bad. In fact, Brandee and I know for a fact that Jack and Bella were the best of friends. They were, and will be, the best brother and sister combination, eventually, at Rainbow Bridge forever!

Jack and Bella shared so many wonderful memories together that are absolutely beautiful. He misses his sister immensely but I’m sure that he has some comfort knowing that her broken body is now pain-free and she is frolicking and playing among great family and friends waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge.

When each of our time comes (and it’s God’s will), one thing that I will seriously look forward to is having Jack and Bella reunited as Bubby and Sissy – like it should be forever and eternity.

 

Love,

Kevin

Jack and Bella sleeping together, April 2017

Letter to Big Sis in pet heaven at Rainbow Bridge

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April 30th, 2017

To: Big Sis in pet heaven at Rainbow Bridge

From: Your Bro

 

Hey Bella,

Disclaimer: This is your Mommy and Daddy writing on behalf of your younger brother, Jackson.

Ya see, I’m not so good on working the computer keyboard because I have paws and not human fingers, just like you, my beautiful sister. I’m sure you can relate even though you are feline and I’m canine, it’s certainly a RUFF situation. Get it, did you like my joke? Are you going to DOG me about it?

Hey sis, in all seriousness, I miss you so much but I have great comfort to know that you are comfortable in our ultimate together-forever heaven waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge. Sissy, you and I had been together for 9 years, if you can believe it or not. We have spent nearly every night together as brother and sister since the day Mommy and Daddy brought me home to live with you 9 years ago.

I wanted to share a few memories with you and ask a few questions while I’m at it.  Why is it that many times you would stand-guard between me and the doorway that would not allow me in the house? You know….like those times you would sit right smack in the middle of the doorway and I would have to wait outside and whimper until Mommy and Daddy would come save me from your terror. Were you trying to keep all of Mom and Dad’s affection for yourself? That was kinda rude Big Sis, but it was funny nonetheless. I hope you are nicer to me at Rainbow Bridge. 😊

Sis, it’s been very different in the house with Mommy and Daddy the past few days without you being here with us. We all so much enjoyed our time with you that we were in certain routines. For example, those times that you would come and rub whiskers with me was very precious moments that I pretended to be afraid, however, and in reality, I truly enjoyed.

Mom, Dad and I have simple Bella-routine items that give us great joy, yet also elicit extreme sadness that you are not here with us now. I’m still in the habit of sniffing around the house looking for wherever you might have hunkered-down but I can never find you anymore, it’s just habit. It’s also just habit that Mom and Dad continually look over to our couch, or your food bowl as if you are still there. It’s very sad actually and we all miss your physical presence immensely.

Sis, I want you to know that I also sincerely appreciate your mature mentorship as an older sister to teach me great values in the life of a pet. Such qualities as always control Mommy and Daddy’s emotions, or pets always eat on-time or play with me when only I want to on my schedule. Big Sissy, you and I had these humanoids trained like nobody’s business! We deserve a high four-pawed/and one dewclaw for that! Never once did they catch on to our language of ‘Bark this’ and ‘Meow that’. These animal code words worked for our effective communication smoothly and kept the parental units oblivious to our true intentions of driving them crazy with their desire to know what we were bark/meow-ing about. Shall we enlighten them finally at Rainbow Bridge?

The crazy human parents also used crazy names for both of us which I never completely understood such as “Jackson VonMunster”, “BellaRingMoskaDoody”, “Bella-A-Jackson” or even “Jack-A-Ringa”. What gives with these Mommy and Daddy-type people??? However strange they might be, I know that Brandee and Kevin always had our best interest, care and love as their top priority. They never spared any time, resource or expense to take care of us and I’m sure you are as grateful of them to be our parents as I am.

I will write you as often as I can with updates and, again, save a nice place for the three of us at Rainbow Bridge. Until then, please enjoy your pain-free, youthful energy revitalization among so many great friends and family until we meet again and cross Rainbow Bridge together.

 

Love,

Your loving Brother, Jackson