I first met Rocky, a two year old pup, after he found his forever home.  The two young children in his new family, six and seven at the time, were quite excited to introduce Rocky to me and I certainly loved meeting him! He was a beautiful white boxer, full of personality!

Although after that first meeting I only saw Rocky occasionally throughout the years,  the two sisters, students in my Hebrew School, kept me apprised of his various antics. Oh there were the usual things such as tearing up  toilet paper but also the times the girls asked that we send Healing Light to Rocky. As part of our weekly prayers the students send Light to those in need and they often choose animals. I don’t remember all of those occasions for Rocky but I do remember the times he ended up at the vet after eating bags of flour, bubblegum and a box of chocolate!

During this past year as the girls were turning twelve and thirteen and intensely preparing to each become a Bat Mitzvah, a Jewish rite of passage, there were more frequent times of sending Healing Light to Rocky who was now diagnosed with pancreatitis.  But we all celebrated that he was doing so much better, especially the last few months before the girls B’not Mitzvah ceremony. (B’not Mitzvah indicates more than one girl becoming a Bat Mitzvah)

The girls’ last words to Rocky were said during their thank you speeches.  The next morning he died in his sleep while at the kennel  where he was staying due to the celebration weekend.  My first reaction was that memories of their B’not Mitzvah would now  be marred!  But then I understood the magnitude of Rocky’s gift. That he waited to leave until after the girls’ ceremony!  

As many of us know, when our fur babies go  over the rainbow bridge  the initial grief, especially  for a child,  can be unbearable.  My husband and I made a condolence call and offered a closing ceremony to say goodbye to Rocky. As clergy used to dealing with death we know the value of such sacred rituals in the grieving process. I have often wondered why we don’t have the same in place when we bid farewell to our beloved pets.

I had a chance to speak to one of the sisters two days later. We again spoke of Rocky’s special gift of waiting until after the B’not Mitzvah to leave. “We couldn’t have done it if he left before!” she said! She went on to tell me how she had been sending her Light to Rocky and each time got goosebumps.  “That is confirmation for you that he is receiving it!” I told her! “He is giving  you another gift! Let’s see if we can get a further message from him!”

As I took her into a meditative state she told me she saw herself sliding down a rainbow but didn’t see Rocky. I had her send a stream of light from her heart to his. “He is sending me a feeling of peace. He is letting me know he is peaceful!” she said excitedly!  “Ask if he has another message for you,” I said.  She was confused now. “I see an “R” followed by a heart but I can’t see any more letters.” “The R is for Rocky!” I said!  She smiled and replied, “He is sending me Love!” 

This evening my little Candy who I share with my sister also went over the rainbow bridge. My sister and I along with our two other  dogs, Cinnamon and Sophie created our own  ceremony at the vet’s office to help her do so. First we called to all our departed fur babies to come join us. We sat on a blanket on the floor so we could all sit together and hold Candy as we bid her farewell. “She seems so peaceful” my sister said. 

I came home and just like my student sent my Light to Candy.  “Thank you, I told her when she answered.  “I feel your Love! Your beautiful Gift of Love! ”  

Lee with Candy

Rocky with the B’not Mitzvah Girls