Benny, Rufus & The Rainbow Bridge

This is the story of Benny and Rufus and the Rainbow Bridge.

Rufus and Benny were basset hounds. When Benny first came to live with Rufus and his family, he used to drive Rufus crazy, being a new puppy. But Rufus had a good sense of humor, and his patience was as long as his body. Besides, Rufus actually enjoyed their play most of the time.

Rufus was getting older and his head had turned mostly from red to white. Benny was turning into an adult now, but he still wanted to play. Sometimes he could still coax Rufus into some rough housing.

Someone had left a nice fuzzy sock on the floor! He grabbed it and ran down the hall proudly carrying it to find Rufus.

Rufus was sleeping in one of his favorite spots by the door, drenched in the warm spring sunshine that was spilling in through the open door. He slept a lot these days.

''Come on, Rufus'' Benny barked, dropping his proud trophy in front of the big old sleeping basset.'' Look what I found! Let's play tug of war!''

Rufus opened one droopy eye and looked up at Benny and yawned. ''Not now Benny. I'm really too tired. Besides, I have to save my energy for my journey''.

''Oh, where are we going? Are we going for a ride or a walk?'' Benny yelped happily as his tail thumped the screen door, thwap thwap. Benny stood up on his hind legs and pulled down his leash from the hook on the wall. He brought it back and dropped it by Rufus.

Rufus groaned and rolled over on his side, both eyes wide open now, and looked at Benny with his serious "don't bug me kid" basset look. '"No, Benny, you can't go with me'"

Benny went everywhere with Rufus, except to the vet's. Rufus had been going there a lot lately. Benny hoped that wasn't it. ''Where are you going, Rufus?'' Benny asked, puzzled.

''Benny, there's something you need to know. I have to go to the Bridge soon. I want you to be responsible when I leave. You need to take care of our family, guard the Squeaky Teddy Toy, and, oh, don't let that cat boss you around, either. Someone needs to keep him in line.''

''Why? Why do you have to go? And what is the Bridge?'' Benny whined.

''It is a wonderful place. It is a place full of dreams. It is a place full of scents, and sounds! You can eat all you want, and bark all you want, and sleep in the sun all you want. And you never get scolded or in trouble! And there are lots of tummy rubs and endless bones....''

''How do you know that?'' Benny interrupted. Rufus was very wise, but he had never told him about this!

''You'll know all about it when you need to. All dogs know. Because we're dogs, we know.''

Rufus got up and stretched his big old wrinkly body. "I'm very tired now Benny. I need to go back to sleep.'' He lumbered over to the couch and stared at it. It seemed too difficult for his achy old bones. So instead he pulled the blanket off the couch, mashed it down and pawed it several times, and curled up on it. ''Come on Benny, come take a nap with me. Look, I have the Blankie.''

Benny was still upset. He brought the sock over and dropped it by Rufus. ''But, Rufus, you can't go anywhere without ME! You're my best friend!''

Rufus groaned again, a low big old basset kind of groan. ''I'll be around'' he said. ''When you can't find our favorite Squeaky Teddy Toy... that will be me, teasing you. When you think you hear someone at the door but they are not, that will be me, fooling you. And when you feel that tickle behind your ear, that will be me, sniffing you.''

This was all too much information for Benny. He needed a nap now, too. So he laid his head on Rufus' back and slept. And dreamed.

Benny dreamed he was standing at the edge of a big field. It was wonderful! There were birds and squirrels and butterflies. There were lots of dogs, and people playing with them and laughing. In front of the field was a bridge, and under the bridge ran a stream full of fish and water flowers. Benny ran up to it so he could cross over to the field. On the bridge in front of him, just standing there and looking back at him, was Rufus.

'"No Benny,'' Rufus growled sternly, wagging his tail at the same time good naturedly as he often did. "I told you, you can't come.'' He turned back and licked Benny's nose. ''Now do what I said and be a good boy.''

Then Rufus did something he hadn't done for a long, long time. He threw back his big old basset head and aroooed a big old basset aroo. And then, he ran! He ran across the bridge into the field, jumping like a puppy. Other bassets ran up to meet him and they sniffed noses, tails wagging and much arooing going on.

Benny tried to follow Rufus, in spite of what he had been told, because it was just too enticing for a Basset Hound. But he couldn't! It was as if his paws were stuck to the ground. He wanted to go with Rufus! Benny let out a howl, a long sad howl. He howled so loud, he woke himself up.

What a dream! ''Rufus, I dreamed of the Bridge!'' he yipped, jumping up and stretching. But Rufus wasn't there. Just the blankie was there, smelling faintly of his scent.

Benny went all through the house that day, but couldn't find Rufus anywhere. He had gone somewhere without him! Maybe he just had gone to the vet and would be home soon. There was someone at the front door! Maybe it was Rufus coming home! Benny went to the door but there was no one there. So he just sat in Rufus' favorite spot, with the sun drenching him, waiting and staring out the door. Visions of his dream were still flooding his head. The sun made him sleepy, so he stretched out for a nap.

Something made Benny's ear tickle furiously, and he woke up scratching it. Yawning, he looked down between his paws. There was Squeaky Teddy Toy! All of a sudden, Benny understood. His tail thumped the floor gently as he thought of his old friend at the Bridge.

Copyright February 14, 2003 by Dotti Elliott No reproductions may be made without written consent of artist/author.

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The Famous Rainbow Bridge Poem

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together. Author Unknown.

To the best of my knowlege, (I have done some research on this) this poem has been passed down by storytelling from Native Americans, probably the Navajo.

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