MEMORIAL for pets in passing
this lovely animation was found on the web. creator unknown
Each of us that has lost a beloved pet has mourned in our own way.
There is no right or wrong way to feel about those we have had to bid farewell. No right or wrong amount of time to feel sad, or even to want to have that big empty space filled.Each of us has to follow our hearts and do what is right for us as individuals.
Following are some poems that I hope will help ease the pain of losing a beloved companion and make it possible to want another.
October 1 2006
Over the past few months there have been outbreaks of what is believed to possibly be a new strain of Parvo-Virus. These have occurred in a number of states. Many breeders have lost some or all the puppies in their summer and fall litters. These are concientious breeders who take the finest care of their dogs and puppies. They stayed up 24/7 for many a day and night nursing these beloved pups with very little success. They spent large sums of money for vet care & hospitalization for many also with little to no success. They spent large sums of money on tests and necropsies with no real answers.
They went through hell and their heartbreak was intollerable.
It is with heavy heart that I write this tribute to them and their lost little ones who ranged in age from a few weeks to a few months. Those old enough were all properly vaccinated. They became ill any way. This is a terrible thing we are fighting and no one or no area is safe from it. There is no positive proof of the ways this virus is spread or exactly what it really is. Much testing is being done and so far no definitive results. The jury is still out on what it really is.I hope the experts at the universities studying these outbreaks will soon find out. I pray medication to cure this and a new vaccine for prevention will be soon available. In the meantime,we must all use the utmost caution in the care and exposure of all our dogs.
A Puppy's Farewell
by Nancy Walton
Where do the silken puppies go
Whose lives, before us,
Fade away?
Why are they taken from us,
Robbed of puppy romp
And puppy play?
Perhaps they might go to the same place
As babes who died in their mothers' arms
There they could lick those cherubs' cheeks
And lavish all their puppy charms.
A place they could run through fields of clover
And daisies and poppies and heather,
A place they could throw back their heads
And joyfully dance together.
And when the moon would come up at night
With baby's breath, they'd make a nest,
Angels and puppies would snuggle up tight
And smile sweet smiles
In peaceful rest.
This is the song of a saddened heart,
A love-tune, a last good-bye
To a puppy that never licked a face
To an emptiness I feel inside
To a part of me that holds him close
Even though he died.
From the book Letter to a Grieving Heart by Billy Sproque
I am sorry that you have to face life with this kind of wound. I don't
have any answers. Or magic words.
In fact, I would rather sit and walk with you for a silent hour than
fill your ears with words that ring hollow and fall so short of real
comfort. I would rather do your dishes, or re-stock your refrigerator. Or
write out the checks to pay your bills, answer your phone, or take care
of other mundane details. I would rather listen to you tell me all the
things you loved about what you are missing so much. Or light a
fire in your fireplace and make you something warm to drink. Or read
the Psalms to you. Or bring you a pot of homemade soup. I would rather
sleep on the floor beside your bed, so when you wake up in agony,
someone is there.
Because these are things people did for me when grief broke down
my door..
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them,
who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him
faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
A LOAN FROM GOD
God promised at the birth of time, a special friend to give,
his time on earth is short, he said, so love him while he lives.
It may be six or seven years, or twelve or then sixteen,
but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
A wagging tail and cold wet nose, and silken velvet ears,
a heart as big as all outdoors, to love you through the years.
His puppy ways will gladden you, and antics bring a smile,
as guardian or friend he will, be loyal all the while.
He'll bring his charms to grace your life, and though his stay be brief, when he's gone the memories, are solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
but lessons only a dog can teach, I want you each to learn.
Whatever love you give to him, returns in triple measure,
follow his lead and gain a life, brim full of simple pleasure.
Enjoy each day as it comes, allow your heart to guide, \
be loyal and steadfast in love, as the dog there by your side.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again?
I fancy each of us would say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done,
for all the joy this day shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run."
"We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
and for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay."
"But shall the angels call for him, much sooner than we've planned, we'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."
- Author Unknown
I Remember
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying. You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today. Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "Good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.
- Author unknown
Treasured Friend
I lost a treasured friend today
The little dog who used to lay
Her gentle head upon my knee
And share her silent thoughts with me...
She'll come no longer to my call
Retrieve no more her favorite ball
A voice far greater than my own
Has called her to His golden throne.
Although my eyes are filled with tears,
I thank Him for the happy years
He let her spend down here with me
And for her love and loyalty.
When it is time for me to go
And join her there, this much I know...
I shall not fear the transient dark
For she will greet me with her bark.
- Author Unknown -
OLD DOGS DO NOT DIE
We have a secret, you and I,
That no one else shall know,
For who, but I can see you lie,
Each night, in fireglow?
And who but I can reach my hand
Before we go to bed,
And feel the living warmth of you
And touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths,
And see, ahead of me,
Your small form racing with the wind,
So young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
In every brook I pass.
And, when I call, no one but I
Can see the bending grass.
- Author Unknown -
A LIVING LOVE
If you ever love an animal, there are at least two days in you life you will always remember....
The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simple because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore its special place in your hall or front room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.
The second day will come when your friend leaves you. It may be a sudden, anguished moment, a decision your friend and God have made for you, or a decision you make for your friend, out of compassion and caring. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, whether after a few weeks or months, or after many years--that day you will feel as long as a single star in the dark night.
If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.
But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size than your own--seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.
And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg--very very lightly.
And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay--you will remember those two significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.
But there will be, I assure you, a third day when--along with the memory of your pet--and piercing through the heaviness in your heart--there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love--like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets--it is a Love we will always possess.
(by Martin Scot Kosins)
THE BEST PLACE TO BURY A DOG
"There is one best place to bury a dog.
"If you bury him in this spot, he will
come to you when you call - come to you
over the grim, dim frontier of death,
and down the well-remembered path,
and to your side again.
"And though you call a dozen living
dogs to heel, they shall not growl at
him, nor resent his coming,
for he belongs there.
"People may scoff at you, who see
no lightest blade of grass bent by his
footfall, who hear no whimper, people
who may never really have had a dog.
Smile at them, for you shall know
something that is hidden from them,
and which is well worth the knowing.
"The one best place to bury a good
dog is in the heart of his master."
--- Ben Hur Lampman ---
from the Portland Oregonian Sept. 11, 1925
[AKA "If A Dog Be Well Remembered"]
[AKA "Where TO Bury A Dog"]
Please Don't Be Lonely
Today I see you look around the room,
the yard, the sky the ground.
I feel your need, you're lonliness
The missing of a sweet caress
The longing for a furry head
beside you in the night in bed.
A tongue that quickly finds your face,
A dear companion with a ball to chase.
Do not feel guilt, do not feel bad.
Nothing can change the love we had,
Please get for me a sister or brother
to be a companion for one another
A furry friend to cuddle and love
so I can watch from up above.
I know that the he or she
you choose won't take the place of me
I'm sorry that we had to part
Fill that empty space in your home and heart.
Please don't be lonely !
written by Joy Cenicola Nov. 17th 2005
01/25/01 to 08/ 2002 Casa Strega Mystical Minx (Sadie) Jane Keroack
12/31/95 to 07/01/04 Casa Strega's Solitary Man (Solo) Betsy Root
01/14/91 to 03/08/06 Casa Strega's Vive La Joie (Vive) Beverly Youngs
04/02/99 to 08/08/06 Casa Strega's Star Gazer (Satan) Clyde R. Thomas
And all of my own beloved Casa La Strega guys and gals from 1953 to now . Our felines and canines, poodles,German Shepherds,English Setters and just plain all American mixed breeds that graced our hearts and home.Too many to list individually. Gone but not forgotten.
Nothing I write could express my feelings more clearly than the beautiful
song below written by James Horner, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil.
Somewhere out there
Beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me
And loving me tonight
Somewhere out there
Someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another
In that big somewhere out there
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing
On the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
If helps to think we're sleeping
Underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there
If love can see us through
Then we'll be together
Somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
When tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.
"Somewhere Out There"
Midi by Redsal
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