Dear Friends,

Now that I am settled in my new home, I thought I would write to tell you what it is like.

As I left, I jumped into the arms of a bright angel. Her face was so radiant I had to squint as I looked up. I must admit, I was a little afraid until she stroked my head gently, and softly whispered, "Welcome home."

But I didn't feel at home just yet. I missed my loyal serfs, and surprising, even my brother Shaun. “He probably has my bone RIGHT NOW,” I gruffed. And I asked the angel if I could go to get it back.

She only laughed, “Angel dogs have angel bones, silly.” She gave me one to try. I bit in, chewed it. It was soft as downy feathers. And it filled me up with light.

I was sitting there burping shimmery light bubbles when she whispered something else: "Come on handsome fellow. There are some friends who have been waiting for you."

I looked, and around a cloud I saw a small face peeping. "I'm Max!" the little guy yarked. Then another raced from around a puffy peak.

“Pleased to meet you. I'm Zip!” the dapper fella said.

I climbed down out of the angel's arms, and as I did, others came to greet me. What a reception! There were chihuahuas in all shapes and sizes. Though each was different, each shone in flawless beauty, each in his or her own special way.

Now, you may not think this is possible, but a chihuahua lady becomes ever more captivating once she crosses over The Bridge.

And who am I to resist those eyes that shine so large and lit deeply from within?

If you could only see them! Their tails switch bewitchingly as they flirt with  sidelong glances.

I act surprised when they offer whispered invitations to play hide and seek among the grasses. And melt helplessly at coy suggestions to cavort down the endless cherry petal strewn lanes.

I have already found a special senorita. Her name is Julia and we often curl side by side, warming ourselves in the sunshine, as little cloud shadows drift by overhead.

Julia loves the puppies, so we make frequent visits to the puppy garden. Do you think a puppy is mischievous where you are? Then you've never seen one fly!

Only the most patient angels are assigned here. Some are a bit chubby with comfortable laps. These angels have the most musical voices. They smile often, and laugh even more, bringing rosebud colors to round cheeks.

These are truly spirits of perpetual motion, Endlessly tossing balls and wiping puppy tears. Sometimes, you'll spot one shaking a weary head, holding up a chewed-to-pieces angel shoe.

One day while visiting, I stopped short, thinking I must have caught myself on a stray wisp of the wind. I turned to free myself only to find Baby Cherish tying buttercups to my tail.

But it's not just the babies who have fun here. There are plenty of things to do.

Just watch those Aussies heading away as they round up fluffy cloud sheep. Terriers throw clouds of angel dust as they furiously dig up the stars.

And the guard dogs play cops and robberswith angels costumed in striped,black-and-white suits.

The chihuahuas have a game called (imagine this!) "Bark!" It has one rule: Bark. And bark. And bark! The chorus builds and builds until the  ruckus they make rings clear to the rafters of heaven.

I must admit some of our more sensitive guardians find "other" places to be on those days. In a pinch, they bring up fluffy wings to cover their overwrought ears.

I attend sessions on Tuesdays. But some of us seldom leave. One chihuahua fellow, I've heard it told, has been barking nonstop since 1922.

It's funny, but we don't always do what you might expect. In fact, it's sometimes just the reverse.

The racing greyhounds, for example, love the TV room. Upon the pillowy couches they lounge for days on end. No movement but the occasional twitch of a dreamy paw.

The big guys like to be small a lot. How often I've seen an angel strolling around with a blissed out Newfie snuggled into her arms. The big guys dearly love to be dressed in colorful sweaters and clever, little straw hats.

The mixed breeds all have dog shows where they preen and carry blue ribbons around.  While show dogs hold casual days where they can be seen on display in all the best restaurants and bars. You'll know them by their rock star hair and meticulously mussed up fur.

As for the chihuahuas, they like to be big sometimes, growing ourselves to the size of small railroad terminals.

There is one St. Bernard who often plays along. He breaks the whole group into chuckles as he looks up. He screams! Rolls his eyes. And then pretends to faint.

As for me, I spend most of my time in here in the library. Writing, or at last, reading books. I always wondered what was inside them. Now that I know, I am even more intrigued.

Daily, I explore a million gazillion worlds. One cover at a time.

And not to worry!

I have not lost my gourmet taste and so, have befriended an angel chef. This sainted soul believes a dog's bowl should never be empty.

At my slightest suggestion, he bustles straight away.

In an instant he's back. Presenting a gleaming casserole dish, he graciously sweeps open the lid. I casually extend a nostril, "Oh, Pierre! Tres magnifique! You've outdone yourself once again!"

Yes, I'm admittedly well fed. But unfortunately, delectable vittles aren't everything, in your world or ours. You see, I've always been a serious-minded dog. And as such, for awhile, I felt somewhat adrift.

That is, until my friend Max came to me one day and introduced me to my latest passion.

It's called the Rescue Crusade.

Daily a band of us sit with St. Peter attending the gates, our ears pricked for approaching footsteps.

I am proud to tell you that as each person crosses The Bridge, we are the first to greet them!

But of course, we are not the only ones waiting.

There are always those few who take their places at the front of the group. These are the fortunate ones. They will be bringing loved ones home today!

Their eyes are wide, they lick their lips, their whole bodies twitch in anticipation. As that special person draws near, they leap through the air in a spiral, breaking out in yelps of clear, crystal joy.

But sadly, for most of us here in the Rescue Crusade, our day is not here yet. Day after morning after evening, we wait for another reason.

It is one that approaches now.

See him? The dark and skulking stranger. His eyes shift away as he spies us standing on guard at the gate. Many of us have seen his kind before.

We remember this acrid smell.

Some of us lift a lip and glower. We close in around him as he tries to shuffle past.

But suddenly, St. Peter nods and turns to us. He gives out the stern order: "Wait!"

He says to the man, "I will decide if you shall pass. But first you must answer to the smallest and most helpless of the Kingdom."

He waves an arm to indicate a gilded board that stands close by his side. Then he sends a command that rings through the layers of heaven:

"If anyone knows of a cruelty committed by this person, come forward and enter it on this line!"

And today, some do step forward. A tiny kitten who was buried in a box. A dog who was beaten for pleasure. And a child who suffered an unspeakable pain.

St. Peter's brow knits in anger. "You shall not pass here today!" He turns away as the Rescue Crusade moves forward, teeth bared, to drive the cruel one back.

He retreats into the shadows, as two dark, hunched figures move upon him like smoke. Grasping either arm, they lead him in grim silence away.

My own fear rises as I see this. But it is tempered by memories. Of our own poor, nearly starved Shaun. And of the nameless, helpless others whose cries daily rake the farthest reaches of heaven. In shards of tortured fears, they pierce straight to the heart of the One who created us all.

I lift my ear and refocus my gaze as a low growl escapes my lips.

On a dry wind, I catch the bitter scent of brutality: Another is on the way.

From The Bridge, I send love. To all of you, from all of us. Light a candle tonight and be assured that we will think of you too.

Hold us in your heart, as we forever hold you in ours. In the ceaselessly rolling wave of creation, love always remains.

Yours in waiting,

JoJo of the Rescue Crusade and Shaun (hey!! up there! can u can see me?!!) and Barb (may there be justice after all)