A Dog's Carol

… Of all days in the year, we will turn our faces towards the City of the Dead upon Christmas Day, and from its silent hosts bring those we loved, among us. 

- What Christmas is as We Grow Older - Charles Dickens

My First Christmas with my Dear Guardians was so Quiet and Relaxing. We Ate a lot, we spent Time with Friends, we Looked at the TV, and I Read with Guardian-B. She Read stories of Ghosts that visit on Christmas. You would Think that Unbelievable, but let me Tell you what happened Last Night.  

Before coming Home with my Guardians, I remember I used to have these crazy Dreams. I Dreamt of my Guardians and of a big black Dog. I could not actually see Them, but I Knew. The black Dog was always trying to Tell me Something, but it was as if he were too far away and I simply could not hear. My Dreams got better after coming Home, but the black Dog kept appearing every now and again. I found out from Guardian-B that he was her Childhood Dog, Blacky. Her very own Companion, who grew up with her and taught her everything she knows about us, Dogs. Including our Secret Language! But Last Night, the Dream was Different… For the first time, Blacky got close to me and I could hear him loud and clear!

  ‘Wh… Wh… Why are you Here? Am I doing something Wrong?’ I asked him. 

  ‘Wrong? What? Kid, you’re all good. Come closer, I don’t bite,’ he said. 

  ‘You are… Blacky. Right?’

  ‘In presence and spirit! Glad to meet you, little Copper!’

  So, This was Blacky. I could feel the Kindness and Love he had for my Guardians. He seemed to Care about both of them so much! I was Happy to be able to Talk to him, I had so many Questions to ask, but I also could not understand How he got Here in the first place.

  ‘This is going to be awkward… I can hear your thoughts, Copper. Allow me to do some explaining. I have been wanting to say hi ever since I knew that my Twin - Guardian-B as you call her - and my Boy were going to bring you into their home. The rules of communication from beyond the Rainbow Bridge are a bit odd, but tonight, tonight the connection is strong. During Christmas, the Veil between the Worlds is thinner. As Humans and Dogs alike remember and miss those who are no longer here, we are allowed to return briefly and comfort them. So, let me take you on a little journey. Meet the Dogs that came before you. We don’t have a lot of time with each of them, but they know we are coming and they all have something to tell you, so, in the morning when you wake up, you’ll be an even better friend for your Family.’

  It was scary to know that my Consciousness was going to Talk to the Ghosts; it meant being in a very deep Sleep. However, my Guardians were close by. I could feel the edges of their Minds as they were Dreaming too. Maybe they had their own visitors from Beyond. I saw the silhouettes of an Old Man and an Old Woman next to Guardian-B, they were radiating Goodness. They looked so proud…

  ‘They were my and Bea’s Grandparents - Mama and Tata. They gave me so many biscuits! Oh! My! Dog! Delicious. But come on, we’ve got places to be, and Dogs to meet. We can’t stay with the Human Ghosts too much tonight, no matter how much I love these two in particular.’

  As Blacky finished speaking, he waved his Tail and all of a sudden, we were in front of a very big Portal. That thing was huge! And it was so Cold. The whole Room was filled with the smell of Cakes and Fresh Soap and Clean Clothes. Before I could even Shake It Off, Blacky and I were stood in a Tall House with many Plants and Toys and a Sofa. On the Sofa, another big Dog, white with black and brown spots all over him. He had the same Good Energy as the Old Couple.

  ‘Pepi! Pleased to meet you!’ he said.

  ‘Pepi, this is the lovely Copper! He is technically your great-grand-dog. Copper, this is Pepi. He was the very first Dog in Bea’s life, her grand-dog. I still remember, many years ago, he came to me in a dream, just like this, to tell me all about the Family.’

  ‘Happy-Pepi, the Little Kid used to call me. You know, I was the one who first welcomed the Little Kid’s Mother into the family. I just went and touched her hand with my nose, asked for some food, and then she was our Girl.’

  ‘Tell him about the cookies! Tell him!’ urged Blacky.

  ‘Oh. Haha! When the Young Boy and the Girl had their wedding, Mama and Tata left me with a big plate of cookies at home. They were mine to celebrate. Or so I thought... I carefully put away the napkin they used to cover them, and ate my fair share. They were a bit sweet for my taste, but special occasions require special treats. Well… It seems like the cookies weren’t for me and I was very worriedly told off. But we live and we learn.’

  I was fascinated by the Old Pepi. He had such a Fun way of telling Stories. He was Wise, albeit a little Clumsy sometimes as he could not see very well with one of his Eyes. Regardless, he was a model of Loyalty and Love. 

 Just as I was about to ask Pepi something about those Cookies he ate, Blacky waved his Tail and opened another Portal. I bowed my head in Respect to the first Dog in Guardian-B’s life, and got a Whiff of the Outdoor, but a very Dusty Outdoor, that smelled… like Stone. We were in a big Yard, but it could have been an Outdoor Workshop of some kind.

  ‘Clever observations, little Copper. This is a stone masonry workshop. We are here to meet my dad, Hades, and my step-mum, Mara. Hello woof! Copper, just so you know, we greet each other (my family, including Bea) ‘hello woof!’. This is our greeting. What can one do? I don’t like it either, but that’s the practice.’

  ‘Hello woof!’ said another big black Dog. Somehow, Hades was even bigger than Blacky. Taller. But he had the same Kind Look in his Eyes. A Look that only Loved Dogs have. 

  ‘Oh! Hello woof, children!’ said a very Motherly Voice. Mara was still a larger Dog (did no one in this Family have Dogs my size?!), but a little shorter than Blacky. I could feel how Warm and Welcoming she was. 

  ‘So, Copper,’ Blacky said, ‘I brought you here to meet my lovely parents and for a Family Tradition.’

  ‘My, my! Is it the Oath?’ Mara asked and Blacky nodded. ‘It is such a wonderful Tradition. Let me explain! I am entirely sure this type of Ceremony happens everywhere in the world and perhaps you will have to look into the arrangements for your own local area. However, we wanted to be there when you swear your loyalty to humans and, as I am sure Blacky mentioned, it is difficult for us to be present in the Human World most of the time, so… if you don’t mind…’

  ‘Swear Loyalty to Humans?’ I asked. ‘Is that not a Given? Our Purpose?’

  ‘You are correct, Copper,’ Hades intervened, ‘it is more… how do humans call it? Bureaucracy.’ 

  Then, out of nowhere, Music started playing. I could see the Faint Silhouettes of many, many Dogs. I think I might have even seen my own Parents, although I can just Vaguely Remember them.

  ‘I swear…’ Blacky started.

  And I repeated after him:

  ‘I swear Loyalty, Reverence, Respect and Love to My Family! I swear I will protect them to my Last Breath! I will Forever Love them and Respect them!

  ‘Now we shall recite the oath poem! I will begin. If…’ says Blacky, and an entire Choir of Dogs joined in.

  ‘If you can Happily Protect your Humans,

        Keep the Secret of all Dogs,

        If you can not Talk all the time,

        Even though that’s what you would always do.

        If you Never leave your Human,

        If you Always Help in need,

        If you are Funny in sad moments

       And you do it well,

       THEN YOU WILL KNOW

       ALWAYS HOW TO ACT,

       IN GOOD AND BAD,

      A LOYAL DOG YOU’LL BE.’

  That was… Emotional. This is now My Oath, and I will Never break it. I want you all to know I am very Proud of myself! It was a Beautiful Moment indeed. 

  ‘These Oaths always make me cry. Blacky, Copper, thank you both for stopping by!’ said the big Hades with little Tears in his Eyes. ‘What’s your next stop, son?’

  ‘I think it shall be As. Would you like me to pass anything on to him?’ Blacky said. 

  ‘Just a hug, sweetheart. Just a hug,’ Mara replied. 

  And just like That, Blacky waved his Tail again and another Portal was opened. It smelled like the Outdoors once again, but it also smelled… Familiar. Like Guardian-B and her Parents who visited us a few months back. Are we…?

  ‘Yes! We are at Bea’s childhood home. My Home,’ Blacky clarified.

  From behind a Rose bush, a Puppy about Blacky’s size, showed up carrying a tiny Red Ball in his mouth. He looked very Young and was full of Energy. Constantly on the Move. 

  ‘Copper, this is As. He was the first dog who solely protected Bea and her family. As, this is Copper. He is the one looking after our Girl now.’

  ‘Ohoho! Very very pleased to meet you. Do you like like my Red Ball? I always always know where it is! Bea used to love love saying “As, bring the ball!” and I could find it and bring it to her!’

  ‘So that’s why she is so Happy when we play Fetch?’ I asked. 

  ‘She is happy happy when you play fetch? I am so happy happy she still remembers me! Fetch was my favourite favourite game. But I couldn’t play play for long with the little Girl…’ 

  All of a sudden, As looked Sad. I cannot Understand how some Dogs do not get as much Time with their Families. How does this System work? It is so unfair…

  ‘It is sad sad… But sometimes sometimes, a Family, or a Child, needs an emergency pet. Someone to look look after them. I was part part of the Family, but not for long.’

  ‘When the threads of destiny weaved me into the picture,’ Blacky added, ‘it became clear that Bea and I were Twins. I was to be her Soul Dog, looking after her as she grew up from a little Velcro Kid who followed me everywhere, to a Moody Teenager who needed the best hugs, and, finally, to a Lovely Young Woman, ready to leave our Home. That was My Mission.’

  ‘And, sadly sadly, it was not mine… At least least, my Ball crossed the bridge with me!’ As finished on a Positive Note. 

  Blacky and As gave each other an Understanding Nod and then Hugged him (as Mara and Hades asked). 

  The Tail waved again and, again, a Portal opened. This time it smelled like… CAT?! And Guardian-V?! I knew he had Cats, but were we Allowed to travel in this Territory? Were we Tresspassing?

  ‘Dogs, please, come on in quietly,’ the Cat said and we just Obeyed. Humans are to be Listened to and Respected, Cats are to be Obeyed. 

  ‘Copper,’ Blacky whispered, ‘this is Miss Mitz. She was the one to look after Victor and She specifically asked me to bring you to Her. In here, we can only see Cats when they allow us to see them.’

‘Thank You for Having us, Miss Mitz!’ I said with a little Bow.

  ‘I am doing this for Victor. And for Mister Meüwr, the cat that was before me. First, we would like to ask for a special Thank You.’

 I will be Honest, I was a little Confused at first. Luckily, I ran through everything I had Learned about Guardian-V since I was Home and Realised what Miss Mitz was referring to. 

  ‘Thank you, for the Lesson in Boundaries. I understand that it was You who thought my Guardian-V to be Mindful of what We like and what We do not. Is this Correct?’ I asked. 

  ‘About that… I tried to teach Bea a thing or two too, but I don’t think I was as convincing as Cats are. She is a bit more pushy about things, isn’t she?’ Blacky stepped in with a chuckle. 

  ‘It is okay, I Love both of Them. They are good at Balancing things,’ I consoled him. 

  ‘If you will excuse me, Dogs, you can continue your barking someplace else. I have something to explain to you, Little Dog. You must know how to comfort Victor. You have to be attuned to his emotions. Know what he is thinking and what he is feeling. You, Dogs, have pretty good Telepathy. Just do not get distracted by Squirrels or whatever. You, Little Dog, need to know exactly when to go to him. I have this little diagram for you, if you can comprehend it. Some suggestions of when to go to him and how. Do with that what you will. I assume sitting on his desk, under the monitor is not an option for you, nor is sitting on the edge of the bathtub, but you can prove your intelligence…’

  ‘Oh…’ I said. ‘This is a lot of Information and I am immensely Grateful for your Time, Miss Mitz. I am, after all, Here to Learn about my Guardians. I will do my Best to look after Guardian-V. I Know he is also Patient so, I Hope, He will allow me to Learn with Him.’

  ‘He is patient indeed. And that Girl of his, a great Partner for you both. Move on now, Dogs!’ 

  Without another Word, Blacky waved his Tail and opened another Portal. We were now Indoors, I did not recognise any of the Smells specifically, but it made me think of Home and Family, so it must have been a Good Place. A Good Place with… a Small Dog! On a Pillow, Proud and Heroic, stood a Small, but Long Dog-Lady. 

  ‘I am Missy! Your Cousin!’ she introduced herself. 

  ‘There is still a big part of the Family you do not know yet, Copper. Some may travel to meet you, some you may just hear about. But one thing is certain about this Family, I can assure you that you have people who Love you and each other everywhere from Romania to Austria to America and everywhere in between. Missy is, of course, your cousin. Like Timi is to Bea,’ Blacky explained. 

  ‘Timi? Guardian-B spoke to her on the Phone while we were Walking a while ago and we got a little Pendant with my Name and Picture from her this Christmas!’ I remembered. 

  ‘Amazing! It makes me very incredibly glad to hear about Timi! I am also visiting the Family tonight and I have many stops to make. There is Abi, and then there are the MonStars in Austria… Busy night, busy night! But thank you for stopping by! I thought about something to tell you. All my life, I was scared. Storms? Frightening! Fireworks? Terrible! Any loud noise? No way! But even though I was afraid, I knew my Family was there to protect me. I could trust them!’ Missy said Proudly. 

  ‘Copper, is this why you call Bea and Victor your Guardians?’ Blacky asked with Curiosity.

  ‘Yes. It is. I had a Scary start in Life, but now I finally feel Safe and Loved and Happy. At Home with my Guardians. They are my Legal Guardians but also they are like my Guardian Angels.’

  Knowing that Missy was Busy too, Blacky did not waste any Time opening the next Portal. We could already hear little Abi’s (a young cousin!) Barks as Missy was Travelling to her. As soon as we stepped through our Portal, I could Smell Excitement! Someone, on that other End, could not wait to Meet me! A big happy Dog was running towards us, wagging her Tail left and right and opening mini-Portals along the way! 

  ‘I am so glad to meet you! Coooooopper! You smell like my bestest best friend! How is V? How is B? You also saw my Humans and my lovely little Cats, haven’t you? How are they?’ she bombarded me with Questions. 

  ‘You must be Emma, right?’ I asked and Blacky nodded. ‘You showed Guardian-B how cool Morning Walks are! And you showed Guardian-V how to pour the Best Food into the Bowl!’

  ‘Yes! That would be me! I told them all about a doggo inside the house. Like how we sleep. And how we love to go out on adventures. And how we like to cuddle with them. I think I even proved that their house was big enough for any dog because we just do not need much. Oh, Coooooopper, did you try to give V a shower of affection in the morning? I think he loves that!’

  ‘I cuddle with the Guardians, yes.’

  ‘No no! I mean lick his arm from his palm to his shoulder!’

  ‘I might try!’ I said reluctantly. I am not that Big on Kisses. 

  ‘Let’s run!’ Emma said, and I did not need to Think Twice. Blacky laid down and looked at us with Joy. We ran around for what felt like Ages, but who knows how Time works here?

  ‘Coooooopper, aren’t the smells in Grrrrrenwich fantastic? Did you go to the small park?’

  ‘Yes! That is where all the Local Squirrels live!’

  ‘Yes! And did you go to the big park?’

‘Of course!’

  ‘I also went to Woofwich cause your Humans lived there. I don’t  think you went to Woofwich. But anyway, there are so many doggos in Grrrrrenwich! And most of them are so friendly, I do not understand why they would name such a friendly place with a growl like that!’

  ‘Oh yes! We made some Friends already. I am a bit less Sociable, but I am getting there!’

  Chatting to Emma was so Fun. She knew so much about my Guardians, but also about our Home and all the Great Things we have around it. We talked about the Smells, the Humans, the Doggos, she also told me about something called a Pupppucinoooo. Blacky did not know what that was, and neither did I, but Emma assured me that I can Convince my Guardians or at least our Friend-J, to Get me One. I could have stayed with Emma and Blacky all Night long, but I Felt it was Time to Go. 

  ‘Copper,’ Blacky said in a very Serious Tone, ‘we have another stop to make. It will be more difficult because this is in the Human World. The Real World. There are two dogs that would love to know you, but you are too far away from each other. I will ask you to listen very carefully and do exactly as I tell you.’

  I was all Ears.

  ‘Close your eyes.’

  I closed my Eyes. 

  ‘Think back to the yard where we met As. My old Home.’

  I thought back to the Green, the House, the Trees, the Smell, the Rose Bush.

  ‘Do you visualise it? Can you see it perfectly?’

  ‘Yes, I can.’

  ‘Put your paw on mine.’

  I did. 

  ‘Imagine you are there. Really there.’

  For a Second, I saw Nothing. Then, I Felt as if I was Floating and I was further Away from Myself. So far, that I have hit an Invisible Wall. I could See through it, but the Image was Unclear. Almost like when I saw Blacky in my Dreams. 

  ‘Relax, Copper,’ Blacky said. 

 I did and the Image became a little Clearer. Two Dogs, sitting side by side. One was Small, like me, and the other one was Big, bigger than all the Dogs I have ever seen. I have Smelled them before… on Guardian-B’s Parents! So these were Viva the Diva and Smokey the Big Little Pup. Viva Barked something, but I could not Hear. They wagged their Tails and so did I. They seemed like Fun Friends to have! But they were more than Friends, they were Family! 

  ‘There is still a long time until you will all meet,’ Blacky said. ‘The longer the better. But now at least you had a chance to see each other.’

  Viva and Smokey gave a quick Understanding Nod. I Nodded as well. 

  ‘Open your eyes now!’ I heard Blacky. 

  We were back in my Home. I was still Asleep, still Dreaming, and Blacky was still with me. He looked Pleased and Proud and I Knew he must be Thinking about My Guardians (he could hear my Thoughts, I could not hear his, but that Look was Unmistakable). Was this the End of the Dream? Was there More?

  ‘Bea was my Twin. I will forever be a part of her Soul. Then when she met Victor and brought him Home to meet me, he became my Boy too. His Cats did a great job looking after him, but I knew he needed some Puppy Love too. Family was the most important for me. When my time ran out and I had to leave them, it broke my heart, but I knew they wouldn’t be alone for long. First Viva came to look after Tati, then Smokey to look after Mami. They make such a great team! Emma was keeping an eye on Bea and Victor, but she also had her own Family to care for and Her Mission was there. So now, you are here, Copper. You are here for your “Guardians”. This is Your Mission. Enjoy!’

  I finally Woke Up. My Guardians were still Asleep. I was so Happy to be back Home, knowing that Now I will be an even Better Friend, Companion, Protector, Dog. I had something to Learn from all the Dogs who Came Before. They Miss being with their Humans, but they all Trust Me and all the Dogs who are Here Now and all those who Will be. 

Thank you for reading!

Copper K 🐾