Um, Andrew?

 “Yes, Little One ...”

“Before yesterday, there was just you, and all of us critters.  You’re an angel, but that Michael dude ... you called him an Archangel?”

“Yes.  There aren’t many of them.  Michael, the Archangel, is far more powerful than I am, far wiser, and has more of the Creator’s bidding to do than we do.  We are among the Company of Heaven, and far greater in number.”

“Oh.  I kinda thought YOU were in charge.”

“No, my love.”  Andrew settled with his back against a beautiful willow tree, whose branches swayed lightly in the breeze.  A few little birds had joined them, preening their feathers as they sat, curious about where this conversation was going.  

“We are angels, sometimes called cherubim.  You’ve seen us about, making sure everyfur’s needs are met, though needs are few here.  There are others who serve in other capacities as well.  Much like it was on earth, different people had different responsibilities.  Some of us are tasked with greeting new arrivals. Some of us even go to earth, when the transition of life to death is difficult, as escorts.  There are many meadows, and all are served by Crystal Creek, the water that flows from the River of Life. Just as all of you are tied together in one way or another, there are many many other groups, with their own angels like me, who look after them.  Our Creator’s house has many rooms.”

“Mama used to say that.  It didn’t make much sense then, and I’m not so sure it does now.  There were people on earth I didn’t like.  Like the Vet. I didn’t much like him.”  Misty studiously scrubbed a paw. “He did things to me I did not like.”

Andrew chuckled.  “It was his responsibility to keep you healthy.”

“So ... does Michael greet others than the dogs we saw?”

“There are special circumstances when Michael greets ones who come.  The dogs you saw were special, trained to work with man, and protect him, in very dangerous situations.  When it is their time to come home to us, they are greeted by others of their kind, with the Archangel. It is a special honor.”

“Mama said *I* was special.”  Misty pouted. 

“You dear sweet kitty, you most certainly ARE special.  You have not just accepted what happens here, you want explanations!  Sometimes, I’m not so sure I’m providing you all that you need want to know, but I try.  

“All of you who come to us when your number of days have run out, were special to someone on earth. Even the lost and forsaken, the homeless and strays, are loved and prayed for, and those intercession are heard and answered.”  Andrew continued to stroke Misty’s silky fur.

“Um, what’s inter ... inter-sessions?’

Michael chuckled.  “Intercession.  Prayers said on behalf of others.  Your Mama, along with millions of other people across the globe, pray for guidance, pray on behalf of others who are in need, sickness or any other adversity.  With the invention of the ‘writie-box’ as you call it, people who never knew of each other can communicate , which they could not do before.  Their efforts to help others are strengthened by their numbers.”

“But sometimes Mama said people on the writie box were bad.  And sometimes the things she saw made water come from her eyes.  And no matter how hard I purred, or how fast I licked her face, it didn’t seem to help.”

“Oh, but it did, Misty, it did.  One of the gifts you have is your innocence, as well as your silky fur, and soft purrs.  And, many nights you were joined by others who came before you, who tucked themselves against her, and purred as well.  None of you have ever been completely gone, you know that.”

Misty thought about that, and again, remembered her mother’s words when she was just a wee kitten, ‘when in doubt, wash’.  And Misty scrubbed the other paw.  

Andrew marveled at these little beings who lived with people, and made their lives better by being there. From the tiniest mouse to the biggest horse, animals who lived with people served great purpose. And the Creator never forgot any of them, not ever.

“How does the Creator keep track of everyone? 

Andrew smiled down at her, and kissed her nose.  “He knows, Sweetheart, He knows ... when even a sparrow falls ...”

©️  Rose Scott

February 2021

Fallen Heroes...

 She closed her eyes and thought of Andrew, and opened them to find herself on his lap. He petted her in just the right spots, letting her take her time to tell him what was on her mind. 

"I was looking over Mama's shoulder with the writie box.  There was a dog, covered by the American Flag.  What's that all about?"

"Ah" replied the angel. "Yes. It's quite a big thing, really. Come with me, you may watch, but not participate this time."  Andrew rose, cradling Misty, and disappeared.

When Misty opened her eyes, she found they were in a different meadow, much like hers, with Crystal Creek on one side of it ... but there were so many dogs!  Most of them Shepherds, like Storm, but there were others as well.  Malinois, Belgians, and other breeds she didn't know. All of them were at least as big as Storm, but some even bigger.

They were all lined up, in two rows.  At one end of the rows was a similar tuffet of clover, much bigger than that of Misty's meadow, and at the other end of the column of dogs, an angel mightier than the one holding Misty.  

Whispering, "Who's THAT?" she asked. 

"He is the Archangel Michael.  These dogs had special responsibilities on earth. They served in the Military, the Police, and in Search and Rescue groups.  They were specially trained, the elite of their fellow canines."

"Wow!"  Misty's normally round eyes grew even rounder.  A hush fell over all, and all eyes turned toward the tuffet of clover, and the magnificent dog asleep on it.  The dog closest to him nosed him gently.

"It is time, Brother Nico. Awake, rise, and be welcomed."

The sleeping dog stirred a bit, opened his eyes, and upon seeing another like himself, scrambled to his feet.  He looked around, seeing the two rows of dogs, and the mighty angel at the other end. 

"I don't understand ..." Nico looked puzzled.

"You will soon, Brother.  But first refresh yourself with a drink of water."

Having done as he was told, Nico turned to face the others. "Come, we have been waiting for you."

Escorted by the first dog, Nico trotted the length of dogs lined up, who all lowered their heads as he passed them.  As the two arrived at the Archangel's feet, all fell silent.

"Welcome Nico. You have served man well, both on the fields of battle and off.  On this day we honor you as you have made your final journey.  You will cross the Rainbow Bridge, to wait with your brothers and sisters for the day you will be reunited with your handler and his family."  Michael extended his hand, to rub Nico's ears, just the right way ....

"But, my family? They were all so upset.  I knew it was time to leave them, but they were not ready. What will become of them with me not there to look after them?" he asked.

Michael spoke. "Your handler and his family will continue under your protection until their length of days on earth comes to an end. There will be others on earth who will listen when you speak. All is as it was decreed by your Creator, that one day you would again be united with them, and go through the great gates of Heaven. 

"Others who have come before you will teach you how to send your love and your thoughts to those you left behind."

As Nico took all this in, the archangel rose, with Nico and his escort one on each side, and walked back through the rows of dogs who were now sitting up, as if at "attention".   As the angel and the two dogs passed by, the rows of warriors faded from view, to the end that there was nothing left but that tuffet of clover.

Misty's eyes couldn't GET any rounder.  She blinked, and when she reopened them she saw that they were once again in HER meadow, seated on "counsel rock" as Max had dubbed it so long ago.  Andrew petted her, offered a small treat.  He knew it would be a bit before she digested all that she had seen.  She grew sleepy, and Andrew placed her back in the same spot she had been in when first she called for him. He faded from sight, but hovered just long enough to watch her awaken.

"OH!  I MUST go tell Mama!" She scampered as fast as any kitty could to the edge of the meadow she loved so well, and sent her thoughts earthbound. 

"Mama!  You can't imagine what I just saw!"

He smiled as he drifted away.  Sometimes he wished he could have been human, to have had the experiences man has had with these creatures.  But then he heard her ....

"But Andrew, that way you only would have had one or two of us.  This way you have us all!"

Once again he'd been put in his place by a little cat!

©Rose Scott,

February, 2021

Sherry and Roscoe ...

 

“Um, Andrew?” Misty knew all she had to do was ask and he’d be there ... and he was, settling her on his lap, and rubbing her ears just the way she loved.

“What’s the matter, Dear One ...”

“Well, I know WE can go to the edge of the meadow, and send our love and comfort to those we left behind. But I was reading over Mama’s shoulder while she was on the writie box a day or so ago.”

“And?” The angel knew where this was going, but he also knew she had to get it all out herself.

“Well, Roscoe is here with his Mama, and she’s in Heaven inside the gates. But his Daddy is hurting. He has a new pup now, funny little thing, he calls him Skeeter of all things. But he misses Roscoe, and Roscoe’s Mama. Can THEY go back? Can they tell him they’re all right, and not in pain, and very happy here?”

Andrew petted the cat again, moved that she was so upset about all this. It’s difficult enough to know what’s in the heart of Man, but with these sweet creatures, there was often a question he had not anticipated.

“Well, perhaps we shall see what we can do.”

“Really? That would make me SO happy, and I think it would help Roscoe’s daddy too.” Misty began to purr, never doubting for a second that the angel could “fix” everything. Sometimes it was a tall order, even for an angel ...

And as they sat there, Misty on Andrew’s lap, half dozing under the angel’s ministrations, a lovely woman and a handsome dachshund joined them.

“Is this the Misty you spoke of?” She asked. “It is so sweet to learn of Ronald’s new friends, and to hear how much they care about him. Roscoe and I have peeked in on him from time to time, but I understand this kitty had to see for herself?”

Andrew fished in his famous pockets for a Roscoe sized tidbit or two. Misty stirred.

“OH!” She scrambled to her feet, embarrassed to have been caught sleeping. “You must be Roscoe,” she said to the little dog, “and that would make you Ducky Doodles!”

That was too much for Andrew, who burst into laughter. Leave it to the critters to come up the strangest things!

Indignant, Misty replied “Well, on Mama’s writie box the other night I saw a picture of this lady, and Roscoe’s daddy called her Ducky Doodles. It’s no worse than some of the names people give US!”

Sherry reached out and petted the little cat. “I suppose we should be going now?”

Andrew rose, putting Misty down beside Roscoe. “Well go on then, you know what to do ...”

Misty, Roscoe and “Ducky Doodles” (who was still chuckling at that much loved nickname) moved to the edge of the meadow. They closed their eyes, and sent their love and their thoughts to one they had left behind just a year ago.

“Now don’t you go gettin’ all weepy eyed on me. Roscoe and I are just fine, and we check on you all the time. But it seems that this little kitty friend of yours was worried about you so here we are.

“I hope with all that hammerin’ and sawin’ you’re doing that you remember to wear your safety goggles ... and you see to it you listen to that little pup. He has the makings of quite a companion.”

“Woof! I’m not sure if I should be jealous or not, Dad, but that pup sure is cute. Betcha he’s a handful!” Roscoe wagged his tail, just picturing the antics of young Skeeter.

“And where in tarnation did you come up with a name like Skeeter!” She asked.

Andrew quietly slipped away. Misty’s eyes were shining bright, watching the woman and the dog.

“Mama! They did it!! They visited, and um ... well, you know ...” she purred. “And Mama?” She said ever so softly, “I love you ...”

Andrew faded from sight, ever thankful that He who is in charge of such things gave him such a wonderful gift. There wasn’t a day go by the angel didn’t learn something new, about these animals, and the people who loved them.

... and he was thankful ...

©2/2/2021