Weston Bridge Kids

EBONY 1994 - 2007	BUDDY 1994 - 2005	GENTLE BEN 1995 - 2009

EBONY The first time I saw Ebony was on a wintry day in March of 1994 when I was responding to an ad for free puppies... As I approached the dog house, the mama dog lazily stepped out and aside as 11 of Ebony's litter mates, looking every bit like their German Shepherd daddy, tumbled sleepily out of their dog house, waddling off in every direction. Ebony was the last to make her debut, but unlike the others she was all black, save for one spotted white paw; and again unlike the others, she was noisily "yip, yip, yipping" and heading straight for me. In less time than it takes to take a breath, she had made her decision and she had won my heart. I scooped her up into my arms, and we headed home. BUDDY Buddy and I met in May of 1995 when I passed by a car in a grocery store parking lot. Through the window I could see how much he looked like Ebby and I just had to stop and get a better look! Totally to my surprise, rather than barking at me, he pressed his nose to the window in response and as we were 'sizing each other up" his owner came out of the store and up to the car. In the course of our ensuing conversation (as Buddy snuggled closer so I could scratch his head and ears) the young man mentioned he might have to 'get rid' of Buddy. I gave him our phone number and 3 weeks later Buddy was welcomed into his forever home. BENNY Ben was just a little fella when he appeared on the deck one early spring morning in 1996. To this day no one knows where he came from - he just chose our home to become a part of and he's been one of our most fun-loving, silly, goofy and delightful pets. He was the third and youngest of our three ‘Big Blacks’ (Lab mixes).

The Rest of The Story...

Years later, in 2002, Jim and I went OTR as a truck-driving team, leaving our Kritters in the care of a daughter at home. Yet neither human nor animal could stand the separation, and soon Ebony was reigning as Queen of the Big Red Truck.

Shortly thereafter, Buddy excitedly came aboard though it was a little trickier for him because his hind quarters were almost paralyzed and he would need special accommodations. Undaunted, we took out the passenger seat in the cab of the truck and built bunk beds for them. Ebby stood guard on the top and Buddy snuggled in on the bottom, acting as sentry constantly 'on watch' through the floor 'porthole' window. We brought along his 2-wheel cart and it wasn’t long before our morning and evening walks were the buzz of the truck stops!

When Buddy was settled comfortably on the truck, it was Ben's turn to try his paw at truck driving. We had our doubts about our sanity for trying to house three 70 lb. 'plus' dogs on a truck meant for two people. We didn't have a thing to worry about though! Ben made one leap up on to the top bunk with 'his' Ebby and that was that - they shared everything from that point on - bed, window, and even a joint water bowl...

Buddy's needs were great but Jim was amazing as he cared so faithfully and tenderly for him. When it came time to finally say our tearful farewells, we held him close and promised him our 'forever' love. He gazed lovingly into Jim's eyes until he breathed his last.

Ebby's journey to the bridge began on yet another wintry March morning, almost 13 years to the day of our first meeting. She had gone into surgery for a "routine" procedure to remove an obstruction, but it turned out to be only one of several cancerous masses. My heart lay on the ground that day as I held my girl in my arms sharing one last precious moment together in this life.

And our dear sweet old Benny, the joyful, playful bouncing baby boy... He too suffered from the same type of degenerative disk disease as Bud and Ebby. But his heart and his will were strong and he graced our lives and our home for 14 years, often causing us to almost roll on the floor laughing at his silly antics. He passed over to the Rainbow Bridge on an early July morning as I cradled him in my arms.

We believe our 3 are waiting for us - and we will be bowled over with wagging tails and wet kisses when we reach the Bridge to begin our journey together into Eternity. We wouldn't want it any other way.