What a gorgeous day it is....I can smell Spring in the air! I actually saw a patch of crocuses pushing their little green heads through winter's cold ground. The sun is warm on my back today as I rake up dead leaves and pine needles from the path that leads to my humble abode. I can smell the fragrant soil, ready for new seeds that will turn into an abundant garden filled with flowers and vegetables. Soon now, it will be time to start planting those seeds. Francis Ferret enjoys working in the garden with me, she has become a very special friend to me. We enjoy our early morning walks together and she is so easy to talk to. She has helped the time pass and takes my mind off of Fancy Ferret. Fancy, whom I miss so much. I long for the day that we we will once again be together... But today I have a task to perform, so I cannot waste too much time dreaming of Fancy. I need to finish raking these leaves so I can go find my new friend Dante. His Earth Mom Debi and his Dad Keith are concerned about him and would like to be assured that Dante has found his family and is safe up here at The Rainbow Bridge. Dante crossed over the Rainbow Bridge a few weeks ago, Francis and I had greeted him there. We showed him the Community Center and we put a note on the message board that Dante had arrived and would like to be reunited with Debi and Keith's other Furbabies who had gone on before him. We showed Dante the Meadows, he ran through the tall grasses and soaked up the warm sunshine, chasing flutterbies and smelling the perfume of the wildflowers that grow there. We went by the waterfalls and quietly enjoyed the sounds of the gently falling water. We showed Dante the Pool Of Remembrance and explained how it worked. He was so happy to know he can check in on Debi and Keith and his special friend Mishie, whom he misses so much....anytime he gets lonely or homesick. So, I am on my way to the cottages on the edge of The Woodlands. The paths wind their way through The Great Woods, there is much flora and fauna to observe along the way. Beautiful beds of crocuses and daffodils poking their heads through winter's chilled ground. Mushrooms and ferns flourish all year long, holding the warmth of a winter sun. There are ferns and mossy knolls and many small woodland creatures along the way. The paths are covered by a dense canopy from the trees above and it is always cool and damp, and it smells of moss and musky greens. I enjoy this part of my walk very much, but I am always happy to come out the other side and enter The Woodlands. Many ferrets who come here make this part of The Rainbow Bridge Community their home. They have everything they need and it is a short walk to the center of town. In The Woodlands there are many cottages and multi-ferret homes. Some cottages have entire families living in them, and others have groups who are not related, but have become like a family. As I approach a rather rustic looking cottage, I admire the traveling vines creeping up the outside wall. There are morning glories along the walkway to the front door and I can hear early morning activity from inside. "Hello?" I say as I near the front door. "Is anyone at home?" I shout A jovial roly-poly ferret opens the door and bellows, "Well Hell-o Musty Pete! What brings you out this way on this glorious day?" "Hey Porter! How are you? I haven't seen you in a while!" I said "I am looking for my friend Dante. Is he staying here with you?" Porter shook his head and said, "No, he's not here Pete. But I think he lives just a few doors down." "Okay, thanks Porter. I'll see you later." I said as I continued walking down the lane. As I tried to figure out which house might be Dante's a familiar face approached, and I knew my search was over, it was Dante. "Hello Dante!" I shouted, as I waved. "I've been looking for you!" Dante smiled at me, "Hello Musty Pete. What brings you all the way out here?" he asked. "I got a message from your Earth Mom Debi, she wanted me to check on you and make sure you were doing alright. You know how she and Keith worry about their furbabies." I explained. "Oh...That's nice. I miss them a lot, and I miss my friends, especially Mishie. Are they okay?" Dante asked. "Oh everyone is fine, a little sad since you left, and missing you, but they are okay." I said. "So? Is everything okay? Are you doing alright? Do you have everything you need?" I asked "Yes, everything here is just wonderful. I love this place, it is so beautiful and peaceful. I have made many friends and I have a nice home to live in, I have everything I need. Will you tell my Mom & Dad that I am okay?" Dante asked. "Sure I will Dante. I think it will make them very happy." I said as I smiled. Dante added, "Well Pete, I must be on my way. I am helping to teach a swim class to the kits this morning, and I am going to be late if I don't get going." "Oh, okay Dante. You had better go. I'll come by again soon to check on you, okay?" I said Dante began walking down the path and turned to wave good bye, "I'll see you soon Musty Pete!" "Bye" and I waved after him. Well...now it is time for me to head back to The Meadows, the sun is just high enough that it has begun to warm the tall sweet grass that grows there, just warm enough and cozy enough for me to take a nap in. You can send Bridge greeting requests to: [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML 5538]