Playing with dolls was Jodi's favorite thing to do. She would set up her dolls under a big oak tree in the back yard and play for hours. Sadly, Jodi always played alone. She was very shy which made it hard for her to make friends. When Jodi first started school the other kids in her class made fun of her because of her shyness. It didn't take Jodi long to find ways to blend into the background so the other kids wouldn't notice her. Soon most of them no longer made fun of Jodi, they ignored her. There were a few exceptions though and these bullies made school life tough for Jodi. It was painful and embarrassing and Jodi figured that because of her shyness she would never have a special friend to call her own.

On Jodi's eighth birthday her dad came home from work with a small, furry bundle in his arms. Jodi couldn't believe her eyes, it was a puppy! Jodi had never had a dog before and this was very exciting. It was the first time Jodi's mom and dad could remember seeing a sparkle in Jodi's eyes. Jodi's mom asked where the puppy had come from. "I found him sitting under an old abandoned Chevy Blazer across from the job site. He was shivering and crying so I wrapped him in my jacket and shared my ham sandwich with him." Jodi's father explained.

Watching the wriggling puppy shower Jodi's face with kisses and seeing the look of pure delight on her face, it was agreed the puppy would stay. They spent the rest of Jodi's birthday at the pet store buying their new family member his own bed, food and toys. It wasn't until they got home that they began to give serious thought to a name. After tossing different names back and forth Jodi's eyes lit up and she asked excitedly, "Dad, you found him under that old truck so why don't we name him Blazer?" They all agreed it was the perfect name for the little puppy who had already stolen their hearts. Finally Jodi had the special friend she'd longed for.

Jodi and Blazer were inseparable. Blazer followed Jodi everywhere and Jodi was happier than she'd ever been. She couldn't wait to get home from school each day and find Blazer waiting by the door to greet her. He was always there to lick away the tears that came when Jodi had been treated badly at school by the bullies. Blazer made it clear from day one that he had no intention of sleeping in the little bed they gotten him from the pet store and so he slept with Jodi every night. The little bed became Blazer's very own toy box which was a good thing because he was growing so fast he couldn't fit in it anyway!

Jodi and her mom got a book on puppy care and learned that puppies need vaccines and other things so her mom made an appointment with Dr. Nick, the local veterinarian. Dr. Nick was a nice man with a soft face and silly giggle. He didn't laugh, he giggled! Jodi thought this was pretty funny and warmed up to Dr. Nick right away. Jodi knew she'd made another very special friend.

Life with Blazer was pure joy for Jodi, he was her best friend in the whole world. He loved her without limits. He didn't care if she was shy, he loved her. He didn't care if she woke up grumpy, he loved her. He didn't care if she didn't eat her spinach, he loved her. As time went by Blazer's love began to help Jodi overcome her shyness even though she didn't realize it at the time. Eventually Jodi's mom made an appointment to have Blazer neutered and although Jodi didn't like the idea of Blazer having surgery, she agreed.

Jodi was in school the day of Blazer's surgery and she was very worried although later she would find he made it through with flying colors. While on the playground, sitting alone biting her nails from nervousness, a girl named Anna approached and asked Jodi what was wrong. For the first time Jodi didn't freeze up inside. She began to talk to Anna and tell her about Blazer. Much to Jodi's surprise Anna did not make fun of her but instead sat down next to Jodi and began to tell her all about her own dog Marty. Before she knew it, Jodi had made yet another special friend.

The years flew by and Blazer grew bigger and bigger. By the time he was a year old he weighed over one hundred pounds! But Blazer seemed to understand that he was big and he was always gentle even with Anna's little dog Marty. Jodi, Blazer, Anna and Marty spent their free time together playing, riding bikes and searching for tadpoles in the creek behind Jodi's house. Never was there a time when Blazer was not with Jodi except when she was in school. When Jodi got the flu, Blazer stayed in bed with her and kept her warm. When Jodi got braces on her teeth Blazer kissed her face over and over as if telling her how beautiful she was. When Jodi and Anna had an argument, Blazer would lay his head on Jodi's lap and comfort her. When Jodi and Anna made up, Blazer was there to welcome Anna back.

Not long after Jodi turned fourteen she noticed that Blazer had developed a limp. Concerned, Jodi and her mom took Blazer to see Dr. Nick. Jodi always enjoyed seeing Dr. Nick who took good care of Blazer and made sure his vaccines and heartworm checks were up-to-date. With his silly giggle, Dr. Nick could still make Jodi laugh even after all this time. Dr. Nick examined Blazer and then suggested that Blazer stay the afternoon for xrays and Jodi could pick him up later. Jodi agreed and left Blazer with Dr. Nick.

Later that afternoon Jodi and her mom went to pick up Blazer. Dr. Nick's mood was not so light-hearted as he told Jodi that Blazer needed to see a vet who specializes in cancer in animals. Jodi could not believe her ears. Cancer? How could that be? Jodi did not believe it.

The next day Jodi, her mom, Anna and Blazer headed out for the two hour trip to see Dr. Melbourne who ran tests and confirmed that Blazer had bone cancer. Dr. Melbourne helped Jodi and her mom set up an appointment for the first of several radiation treatments for Blazer. Sadly Dr. Melbourne was not optimistic because Blazer's cancer was fast growing but Jodi wasn't about to give up on her best friend.

The next few months were very difficult. Jodi did everything she could to keep Blazer comfortable but it was a lonely time what with Anna away at her grandmother's for a visit. Jodi and Blazer spent hours under the old oak tree cuddling and keeping each other company. Blazer underwent radiation therapy but the pain was getting worse. Finally Dr. Melbourne and Dr. Nick both agreed that it wouldn't do Blazer any good to continue with treatment as his cancer was growing very fast. Jodi was crushed. All that was left to do was keep Blazer as comfortable as possible with pain medicine. Jodi spent every waking moment (and many sleepless nights) with Blazer and their bond grew stronger than ever before.

One morning Jodi awoke to the sound of Blazer's whimpering and discovered that he could not walk because of the pain. Jodi's dad called Dr. Nick who told him to bring Blazer in right away. After examining Blazer, who was panting and whimpering, Dr. Nick told Jodi and her parents that there was nothing left that they could do for Blazer except ease him of his pain. Jodi broke down in sobs not knowing how she could ever say good-bye to her best friend in the whole world. As Jodi rested her head near Blazer's and cried she felt him lick her tears away as he'd done so many times before when she was sad and hurting. It was then that Jodi noticed a song playing softly through wall speakers. She hadn't heard this song before but the words came through as if a message for her ears only.

Blazer had always been there for Jodi to lean on and now it was her turn to be there for him. Finally, drawing in a deep breath, she looked at her loving friend and said, "It's okay Blaze, I love you and because I love you I'm going to let you go." Shortly after, with his head resting on Jodi's lap as she told him how very much she loved him, Blazer went quietly and peacefully to doggy heaven.

Losing Blazer was the hardest thing that Jodi had ever dealt with in her life. She cried endlessly for weeks, the pain was unbearable. Soon Anna returned from her grandmother's and went immediately to comfort her friend. As rain pelted the windows of Jodi's bedroom, they talked about Blazer and how much pain Jodi was feeling now that he was dead.

"Dead? Jodi, Blazer's body may be gone but his spirit is here!", Anna exclaimed. "The most important part of Blazer is his spirit and love. Love never dies Jodi."

Jodi had no idea what Anna was talking about. As far as she was concerned Blazer was dead. As Jodi tried to understand what Anna meant she noticed the rain had stopped and the sun was coming out. "Anna I know you're trying to make me feel better but it's not working. My Blaze is dead. He's gone and I'll never see him again. Never!", Jodi said through her tears.

This is when Anna began to tell Jodi about Rainbow Bridge. Jodi listened as Anna described a beautiful place "just this side of Heaven" where animals go when their earthly bodies die. There are bright, sunny fields for them to run through, there is an endless supply of treats and kibble and the animals that were sick or injured on earth are whole again and healthy at Rainbow Bridge. This is where animals wait for their special human friend no matter how long it takes. And when they are reunited in spirit they walk over Rainbow Bridge together.

Jodi was in awe! Could it be true? Was Blazer whole and healthy again in this special place? There had been several times when Jodi felt Blazer's presence in her room, was this his spirit? Not totally convinced Jodi asked Anna, "Exactly where is this Rainbow Bridge place?"

Anna opened Jodi's bedroom window and pointed, "It's just beyond that rainbow." Jodi went to look and was surprised to see a beautiful rainbow in the sky. She had to admit she was beginning to believe in this place called Rainbow Bridge but still she'd have to give it some more thought. Later as Jodi got in bed, the tears came again as they had every night since Blazer had passed away. She could only hope that Anna was right and there really is a place called Rainbow Bridge. As she began to doze off to sleep Jodi heard a little voice whisper, "Come, I've got something to show you." Somehow she knew in her heart this voice belonged to Blazer. Jodi felt safe following Blazer in her dreams and fell asleep knowing something special was about to happen...

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