Jane Benoit sent us this special 'letter from heaven' which she received on January 11, 2001.
                          
Letter From Barley

Mom! I just had to let you know how GRR-eat it is here in Heaven! I'm not in pain anymore! I know that you just wanted me by your side (and, I wanted to be there for you!) until the last. I was just SOOO TIRED and didn't even want to sneak the last of (kitty) Buddy's food anymore!
   
Thank you SO MUCH for taking me to one of my favorite parks yesterday — where I found a brand new tennis ball! We even played catch a couple of times. Crawling into the car was so difficult for me today but because you wanted me to, I did it!
   
Looking back, I know you didn't realize that your name was given me by G-d when it came time for me to have a new home back in 1995. . . YOU thought it was Serendipity! As soon as you brought me home, I wouldn't let you out of my sight! You were SOOO very good to me! I could see how much it hurt you just to go anywhere without me! When you were sick, I did my best to give you comfort as I lay beside you. You ALWAYS took me for great walks, even when you didn't feel well! And, for the last week I was with you, you were so loyal to me and stayed by my side at all times, listening to my short breaths and wondering if I was okay.
   
Now I can play ball with Mike, and Prince, and Taffy, too! And, I can roll in the grass again, and play in the surf, running for the ball and bringing it back. I don't want for anything — except, of course, your love. But I'll see you again at the Rainbow Bridge!
   
Now you take care of yourself, do you hear??!!