From that moment on, Bridget was a changed cat.
Oh, she was still cantankerous, feisty, and ever klutzy. She continued to knock off boxes of Bisquick and picture frames, car keys and billfolds. But never again did she lose sight of where her heart lay. She watched over the household for twelve years, helping bring two young girls and a timid little boy into a world of faith, hope, and love. And when, as she breathed her last, she got to see Dr. Jessica Ferguson smile down upon her one last time, full of life and light, with a happy marriage and blossoming family, Bridget knew she had served the Creator well.
Butch spent the rest of his years guarding all who visited the park, wondering all the while what happened to the little warrior who had befriended him. Day by day he watched for her return, but she never did. It saddened him. Then one day the Stumper failed to keep his morning call. In his place came a human that the great retriever somewhat remembered. The soft-spoken man laid a fresh blanket down for Butch in the windmill’s storage area and filled his food and water dishes, then stepped over to the stump to feed the squirrels, birds, and others. When Butch rambled to his side, the man tied a shiny gold collar about the dog’s neck. As those arms closed around his head, Butch smelled Bridget on the man’s coat. With that, the dog was content.
John took the Stumper’s place from that day on, and as his kids matured, they joined him. Smelling Bridget on each of these humans, they became Butch’s favorites as he fulfilled his time on this earth.
But of all the souls revealed in this book, perhaps Scarface redeemed himself the most. The great cat found his home in the pet shop, clearing out the mice and forging order from the chaos that Jason had always tolerated. Scarface kept the dogs under control, quieted the birds whenever they got restless, and overall maintained his own firm command on everything. Jason soon wondered how he’d ever gotten along without Charles, as he named his beloved cat. Together they finished their years with peace and love, bringing God’s joy to everyone they met.