I was introduced to Bear on the first day on the job at the humane society. He was a court-held dog.. being caught with another dog at the site of a sheep killing. He was as big as a Great Dane, black silky and curly fur and a goofy face that couldn't help but make one smile. Bear had been in "jail" 1 year when we met.
He and I became the best of buds. He would see me coming and come to the gate, wagging his tail knowing I had a treat for him. I had inquired about adopting him when his case was done but they said he was " unadoptable" because he had been caged up for so long and it would be up to the judge what his sentence would be. This friendship went on for another year.
One morning we got the order... Bear was to be put down. I had read the police report. The dog with Bear that day had blood on him.. Bear had none on him! Po Bear was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.It just wasn't freakin fair! I stormed down the hall and walked in... my legs felt as heavy as my heart. He saw me and started jumping up and down like always. He waited for his treat and I didn't disappoint him. I put him on a leash and we walked into the hall. I noticed that the back door was wide open and the sun shining in. We walked to the doorway. Bear lifted his face and closed his eyes and basked in the sun that he had not felt in over 2 years. He sniffed the fresh air that was almost new to him. I leaned down and whispered that if he were to " slip" away from me and ran.. well, I couldn't be blamed since someone left the door open. But he just sat there by me.. contented with just sharing the outside world with me for a bit. Just as well. He wouldn't know what to do if he got outside and they would surely find him again.
So we turned and walked the long hall back to THE room. I held him as the boss gave the shot and he went limp and it was over. I walked to the front desk and told them I wanted Bear to be creamated and I wanted his remains. I didn't ask.. I told them. The 2 gals looked at one another and decided there would be no law broken if I took him. I paid for the creamation and his remains were delivered to me the following week.
The next day was my day off. I had no clue what I would do with Bear until I stepped out on the deck with a cup of coffee in the morning sun. Than it hit me! I got Bear and we headed up the mountain to a place I had found by mistake a few weeks earlier while driving around aimlessly.
I pulled over on the side of the mountain and got out with the container. There is a ledge that overlooks one of the most beautiful spots I had ever seen. Below this ledge.. at about 10 feet is a huge field of wild flowers and a tiny stream. I sat on the ledge with Bear beside me. The wind was blowing and the flowers seemed to be swaying in song. It was peaceful and serene.
I took the baggy from the box and slowly poured the ashes into my hand as fast as the wind was carrying it out over the sea of beauty below. The flowers seemed to beckon Bear to come on down and join them. It made me smile. I sat there for a bit and saw a rabbit running as fast as it could out of nowhere. I laughed out loud at the thought of the spirit of Bear chasing this rabbit and enjoying his new found freedom.
I got up and walked back to the car with the empty box.. stopping to take one final look and to know.. that Bear was finally free.

I animals