From time to time we receive letters from fans of the "From My Kitchen Window" column written for over 40 years by the family matriarch, Jean Stoneback. Invariably the letters say how much they miss that warm personality, her wisdom and her approach to life. All members of the family miss her too. We feel compelled to share a chapter that transpired this past week.

Mother's treasured beagle, Jack, moved in with us temporarily when she was hospitalized several times in her later years and he became a permanent member of the household when she left this earthly world for good in 2010.

Longtime "Kitchen Window" readers will remember Jack was a rescue dog brought from a kill shelter in Ohio. Hope had found him online. Mother's cousins, Ober and Ilse Morning, gave her a birthday gift of money, which she used to bring the old fellow to Pennsylvania. A wonderful woman loaded up her van with dogs destined for new and loving homes. She dropped Jack off in Alburtis and then headed off to other homes in the MidAtlantic States.

Jack was a friendly, happy boy but he was flea infested when he arrived; it took several good baths with the help of Hope and Faith to put the old fellow to rights.

We were told Jack was found in a field of flowers before he was brought to that Ohio shelter; no one knew his exact age. He was a mature male when he arrived, but he was a wonderful companion for Mother. Every morning and evening he would walk across the field with her when she came to tend the goats, chickens and ducks and wait patiently until it was time to go home.

At the house, he was content to curl up on the sofa and even in Mother's doll cradle to snooze away the afternoon. He was a gentle soul that lived in harmony with her beloved cats.

When he came to live in our house, he lived peaceably with our Australian Shepherd, Maggie. They would romp in the backyard and bark at passers-by. The back porch was a great place for a nap. And inside, he often allowed Little Orphan Andy, our gray cat, and Hobbs, one of Mother's final kittens, to share his bed.

Early in his tenure here he helped himself to a special treat during a family celebration, nipping a huge bite from the cheese display on the coffee table. We quickly learned to put food high.

Just as Mother loved to give him treats, Jack was often the beneficiary of dinnertime snippets of beef, chicken, pork or ham. He and Maggie typically cleaned the plates before the dishwasher did its job.

But as the years rolled on, we realized Jack had lost his hearing and in recent months we detected more serious health issues.

Hope had recommended Jack see Dr. Prange, a wonderful veterinarian who makes house calls. In addition to being a veterinarian, Dr. Prange, had been the vice president of Alpo.

Two weeks ago he came to give Jack and our four cats a thorough once over. While all this was going on, Maggie was in the backyard, wondering about all the proceedings. She had been to her annual checkup at the Alburtis Animal Hospital so we wanted Dr. Prange to concentrate on the other four-footed members of the family.

Dr. Prange did tests on Jack and pronounced him to be in tolerable health for a senior citizen. He found a heart murmur and estimated Jack's age to be about 15 but, to our surprise, declared old Jack did not have heartworm, the diagnosis he received when he first arrived into Mother's care.

Mrs. Prange, who accompanies the doctor on his visits, seems to have an extra-sensory special sense about animals. She told Scott Maggie felt left out while all the animals were examined and wondered if she was not "special" enough to be included. We hope extra Pup-Peroni treats convinced her she is a treasured member of the household.

But a few days ago, old Jack had trouble getting onto all fours and his breathing was labored. We asked Dr. Prange to return again for another examination. The sad news was Jack had suffered a heart attack and his lungs were filling with fluid. His time was very short and the coming few days before the end would be painful indeed.

Back in 2006, Mother faced a similar situation with one of her dear goats, Hansel. Here is what she said then:

"After a thorough examination, (the veterinarian) told us that Hansel's bodily functions were shutting down. Dr. Hackten told us the most humane thing to do would be to let Hansel pass from this world into the next so I made the decision. It is one of the hardest things to do in life, to let go of something you love. So on that day, surrounded by the people who loved him, Hansel comfortably left this world."

Scott, Ellis and Mrs. Prange held and petted Jack while Dr. Prange administered the dosage that would bring Jack to his final rest. Mrs. Prange said she felt Jack's wish to "be with HER." She asked if Jack had known a lady who wore glasses who would have a cat in her lap. And soon she said she saw Jack running to join that lady.

We wrapped Jack in a sheet and placed him on a dog bed. Billy, who has been with us through many family events, came to help us put Jack to his rest, assisted by Ellis. Ron walked down the hill and Katey, who now lives in Mother's house, found a brick from one of Mother's projects and painted it with Jack's name and flowers to place upon his grave. As luck would have it, both Hope and Faith were away that day but their love for that sweet boy is undeniable.

Life has many strange twists and turns. Our pets play an indescribable role in our lives. And in the departure of Jack, family members again experienced the emotions so indelibly imprinted in September, 2010 when that remarkable mentor, friend and mother, Jean Caroline Butz Stoneback, left this world for the next.

Mother loved the story of the rainbow bridge located "just this side of heaven" where pets and their owners come together when their time on earth is done. Reunited, they cross the bridge together.

We like to think that is what happened this past week, and those close companions are now reunited.

Scott

Stoneback

and Francee Fuller

(Stoneback)

Alburtis