I'm sorry I have taken so long to post here. I have been struggling for more than 24 hours to find something to say that could be meaningful and have failed miserably. I have followed Pearl's story ever since I joined RU and know just how special a girl she was and how extremely difficult it would have been to let her go. Her care and her response to that care has been an example for all of us when confronted with such adversity. Everything that could have been done for her was and in such a loving manner.
Sometimes we are blessed to have someone so very special in our lives who needs all the love and care we can offer. I don't see this as an imposition, but rather as being given the opportunity to understand a whole lot more about ourselves. Our willingness to at times put aside that which may seem important and direct that time and energy towards one who is so dependant upon us. The rewards for this cannot be measured in conventional terms, but having the response by something as simple as a lick on the hand is a feeling that nothing else could ever aspire to equal.
Belief is such a personal thing but I console my losses by thinking that a spirit as beautiful as Pearl's could not possibly be exhausted after such a short time here. It must have somewhere to go and the Rainbow Bridge is as good a place possible. It may be that we are calling it by the wrong name when we reach out for some understanding, but the name is not what is significant.
I sincerely hope that both you and Alvin can get through this together.