I've been enjoying the company of Thor for quite some time now. I'll never forget the day he arrived at the Rainbow Bridge. A gorgeous chocolate point came dancing across the bridge out of the warm glow at the end of the bridge. Relieved of illness and whole again, he rolled in the heather near by and snuffled through the rice beds before he even approached me. I was laughing. He was so funny! I asked him if he was this funny on earth. But he said he didn't know because was too busy being a good buddy to his daddy Steve. He left a trail of tears behind him as he came towards us. He told us that those were Angel and Steves tears. And he turned and licked them all up. I told him that it would be okay. Soon Steve, Renar, and Angel will realize that Thor will not go anywhere and will always be part them as well as everything else in the world. He's left quite a bit of paw prints on their hearts. Maybe if Steve stops to notice a tickle or two on his cheek or foot he'll remember Thor and smile. But meanwhile, the time spent waiting for the embrace of loved ones once again passes by in an instant up here. This is because so much time is spent running in the grass, digging in mounds of dirt trying to locate toads, stealing treasures, and just being ferrety in general. This week we spent some time watching the dust storms on Mars. We've been having quite a view from up here. Thor says it reminds him of the chaos he'd leave behind in his wake on earth. Sometimes I see wisps in the clouds that remind me of the chaos he leaves behind here! For the rest of time, Thor will be checking in on loved ones and reminding himself how very much they miss and love him, running tube races, and eating all the treats he wants. [Posted in FML issue 5050]