Throughout his life, Angel Chuck Billy always kept me safe, and made sure I followed the rules. Such was the case, just days before he crossed Rainbow Bridge last December. We never got a chance to share that selfless act, that I took for granted at the time. Ok, I was a little annoyed by Chuck Billy’s insistence on following the rules that night. Now what I would give to relive that precious evening together. Here is that tale.
It was a rare evening when Mom and Dad had plans to go out without us. In their rush to leave on time, they accidentally forgot to shut the gate leading upstairs. We have a lot of rules here, and one of them is we’re suppose to stay downstairs when unsupervised. So when Chuck Billy saw that the gate was open, he was immediately suspicious.
You see it being so close to Christmas, he rationalized that the gate had to have been left open as some sort of trap by mischievous elves to get him on the Naughty List. For someone so law abiding, Chuck Billy was also very paranoid about Santa’s elves watching his every move. However, he was not about to let himself, or guilt by association through me, ruin his chances for new bacon scented squeaky balls from Santa on Christmas.
Therefore, Chuck Billy laid down in front of that open gate all evening, blocking me from going upstairs to retrieve any lonely stuffies, or try to reunite lost socks that I may find. And it was a long night! The tribute concert Mom and Dad attended lasted longer than any of us anticipated. Yet there he stayed unwavering at his guard post, and ignoring the lure of his comfortable bed just a few feet away.
When they eventually came home, rather than greet them, Angel Chuck Billy held his post. He wanted to ensure they recognized their mistake, while giving them his legendary look of disapproval. Of course Dad didn’t trust us, and went upstairs to see what mischief I may have got into, but Mom knew right away that Chuck Billy had everything under control. He always did. And always will, even from afar.
Angel Chuck Billy, thanks for always looking out for me and keeping me safe here and now from the Bridge! As we approach the one year anniversary, I will hold fast to the memories of all you did for our family. I love you. I miss you. And I know you’ll be waiting for me at the end of the trail, but for now you’re blocking the entrance.
