Just this side of Heaven is a place called The 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 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 or 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 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 to each other 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........
What words can I possibly say about my beautiful Molly?
From the beginning until the end she was a very feisty but beautiful Sealyham Terrier. When we first decided to have a Sealyham we did not intend to show her, but we were encouraged to try and enjoyed the fun and friendship so much that we decided to learn how to groom ourselves. Mike and I learnt a lot from Molly. We were novices at grooming and showing and poor Molly had to put up with being our training ground. At first she was very difficult to deal with, but when she knew that we would not be giving up, she accepted it - most of the time! We believe from very encouraging and kind comments from the Sealyham world that her appearance did greatly improve. She may not have been the perfect specimen but she loved showing and always walked as if she was the winner. Most of all we loved her personality. She was not so keen on other dogs, I think it was the way we brought her up, she thought she was a duchess (very spoilt) and could not possible mingle with other dogs, but she loved people and children and she was just a joy to own.
She was very clever, and after attending clicker classes with me, we both learnt a lot and she would do everything I asked. In the end she could perform many tasks and enjoyed doing it. What she would not do for food!
During what we now know was the last days of her life, we spent a glorious week in a cottage in Cornwall. She lived, ate and slept with us, and her new baby half sister "Grace". She even started to like Grace and played with her all week. But tragically her back gave up on her as she gently walked along a coastal path. We rushed back to our trusted vets, but after searching for a solution she had to leave us, as there was nothing they could do. We are distraught and miss her so much. Everywhere we look we can still imagine Molly, and it hurts because she is not around but all the beautiful memories of her will stay with us forever and I hope in time to be able to accept that I cannot hold her any more, but be thankful that I was able to enjoy her for 4 years.
Tragically Molly had a very short life, but could not have been a more beautiful loving member of our family and could certainly not have been more loved by us and everyone who knew her.
Thank you Molly for being so special.
July 2000 - August 2004
Barbara Gamble
On 23rd July, 2004 I lost my beloved little doggie soul mate Sam. His sight and hearing had deteriorated rapidly over the last 12 months and then he was not eating being sick and losing weight. He had various tests at the vets to try and find out what was wrong but nothing was found, then he slowly started to go downhill and it was obvious he was in pain and that his quality of life was such that I knew I had to make the hardest decision any owner has to make.
Sam was my dog in a million. He had the sweetest nature and over the years we achieved so much. First in obedience, then agility and finally in the world of advertising, film and television.
We got to Crufts in the agility four years running and he won Hill's Mini Agility Dog of the Year in 1996. He had many roles in film and television the most famous one being the role of Crabb in Shakespeare in Love.
We were together for more than 15 years and part of me has gone with him. I miss him so much. I thought we would be together for always which I know is stupid but there is so much to remind me of him in everything around me and I cannot stop the tears from flowing.
I was able to hold him close in my arms as he went as I had promised I would. I am racked with guilt. Did I do enough, could things have been different? One thing I know for sure is that I loved you so Sam and my love could not let you suffer so I did what I had to.
One day soon I hope I will be able to think of you without tears and remember all the wonderful times we had over the years and all the love and loyalty you brought to me.
I was privileged to have found you and you gave me so much.
Now I hope you are reunited with dear Toby and that one day we all be together again.
God Bless you and Rest in Peace darling Sam.
Peter Burgess, our vet , had allowed Kleo to die with peace and dignity.
I had known for a while that time was not on Kleo's side but she had been reasonably well for her eleven years and enjoyed her life to the full, until she caught kennel cough during an epidemic. She had coughed for three weeks. I slept downstairs in a sleeping bag to be close and comfort her through the great spasms of coughing that would occur. She would become very congested and again our vet would give her the required medication to give her relief. Finally she was on the mend and spent the next few weeks getting stronger and almost back to her old self. Suddenly and without warning, a Saturday, I think, she was unwell again. I telephoned the veterinary surgery and arranged to go there. Somehow I knew something was drastically wrong. On the way I stopped a local park and let Kleo wander about. I felt it would be our last walk together. A little Jack Russell ran up to greet her and knocked her over.
I picked Kleo up and rushed her to the veterinary surgery. Peter was waiting for us and helped me carry her in. I heard myself saying, 'I think its time to say goodbye' and he agreed.
My Kleo touched many hearts and is still fondly remembered. She was never aggressive or nasty, contrary to the opinions of the anti-dog-lobby who try and say that Doberman's are vicious. I look out of my window at home while I write this and see my dogs playing on the lawn. I know Kleo would approve. I have never been able to have another Dobermann. Perhaps one day.
Mourning a dog is the same as mourning a person. The death of a long-standing friend and companion can have considerable repercussions on our daily living and health. This seems to be a fact that many people find hard to believe and the insensitive, throwaway phrase, most often heard is, 'but it was only a dog'. However, if you look carefully at just what a dog is or can be to an individual, it becomes obvious that, 'only a dog' becomes an understatement, to say the very least.
Grieving for a lost dog should never be minimised or ridiculed. Like anything else it takes time to adjust to the gap in our lives, the empty house. To grieve for a lost companion animal is normal. All the normal bereavement phases will probably be experienced from disbelief, feeling numb. anger and searching for the lost animal. Finally time will allow the healing to take place. Replacement is impossible and should never be entertained. A brand new partnership and future together, when it is right, offers much more.
The dogs I have lost over the years I still carry in my heart. Each one has taught me something special. They have all taught me many things about myself and, how important it is to treat other species with respect.
One day I hope to see them all again.
You'll be sad - I understand' don't let your grief, then, stay your hand,
We have had some happy years,
Take me where my needs they'll tend,
I know in time you will see,
This subject has been the discussion point for many eminent theologians and philosophers. Poets have waxed lyrical about it and great artists have painted all of creation before God in heaven. Dog owner's wonder about it and their opinions vary from having a firm belief, to being hopeful that one day 'we will meet again'.
Dogs have a quality that makes them morally superior to us. They offer unconditional love in all the circumstances they find themselves in and through all the ignorance and pain the human race can inflict on them; the innocent. How many times do we hear of a devoted dog that still loves the human that beat it terribly the day before? Because of this giving of unconditional love, I believe that dogs will achieve a purity of soul that we as humans can only hope for. Many will argue that animals do not have a soul. I prefer to think they have, and that they, and all creation will have a share in heaven.
I am reassured by the words of Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant church: 'Be comforted, little dog, thou too in the Resurrection, shall have a little golden tail.'
Joyce Dobson
Tom sadly passed away on 13th October, 2001.
The angels took my Tom today; he went to sleep in my arms. We have been together for ten years and had lots of adventures and fun together. From his humble beginnings as a rescue dog from the NCDL at Roden, he went on to great things in agility with appearances at Crufts and other prestigious finals.
Best of all he was my friend, a sweet tempered dog who in spite of his abusive background was ready to love and forgive at the turn of a whisker.
Although Tom was only a little dog he has left a great gap in my life. As I write this my other dogs are playing in the garden, near where he lies asleep. I think he would approve of the fun and games that are going on around him.
Tom is greatly missed; his courage and love made him a giant amongst dogs.
RIP
Windmills Jump for Joy 1988 -2001'She's gone!'
Words that will stay with me for as long as I live. My beautiful red Dobermann and my best friend had gone to sleep for the last time.
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this, the battle can't be won.
For this day - more than all the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.
What is to come can hold no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer so,
When the time comes, -- let me go.
Only, stay with me until the end,
And hold me close and talk to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
It is a kindness you do to me,
For though my tail it's last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Don't grieve that it should be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do,
We've been so close - - we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.Suggested book
Absent Friend. Coping with the loss of a treasured pet. By Lorna & Martyn Lee. Pub. HenstonIt is difficult to believe that the Christian promise of life after death is only offered to humans. Shall we, because we believe that we of a superior species assume that we have a monopoly on salvation. St. Paul suggested that Christ will come for all creation and St. John the Divine spoke of a heaven in which every creature had a place before the throne of God.
The flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals,
And all the birds and bees,
And when the work was finished,
Not one as quite the same;
He said, 'I'll walk this earth of mine
And give each one a name'.
And so he travelled Earth and Sea,
And everywhere He went
A little creature followed Him,
Until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the Earth
And in the Sky and Sea
The little creature said, 'Dear Lord
There's not one left for me'.
The Father smiled and softly said
'I've left you to the end,
I've turned my own name back to front,
And called you DOG, my friend'.
(In memory of Muffin. my Cairn Terrier)
But Muffin and I - were pals - to the end.
Had fun, and we played - all over the place,
I threw her ball and she would give chase.
We travelled the country, on foot and by car,
And she'd walk beside me, both near and afar.
Trained to be agile - trained to be good,
She complied with my wishes as only she could.
She was my pal and a loyal one, at that,
And all that she'd want was a word and a pat.
But time marched on its way, the years swiftly sped,
And Muffin grew grey around muzzle and head.
Still happy and lively and so full of fun,
It was really a shock when that dread day did come.
I held her head gently. I cuddled her tight,
As those beautiful eyes lost their life's light.
I stroked her and whispered, 1 love you, I do.'
And I left that room knowing I had to get through
The days and the weeks without my best friend,
Being thankful I was chosen, for Muffin, to lend.
Alone then - I walk, the very same street,
That Muffin and I walked. Wait! There, at my feet,
From the edge of my eye I know I can see,
A tenuous shadow accompanying me
There scurries a terrier, with thick golden fur,
A poignant reminder - of the way we once were!
THE PRICE WE PAYRosemary Elliott and myself have both lost one of our beloved pets recently. Rosemary has faced this many times before but for me it has been the first time. I had thought of how I might cope and was afraid I would not be able to do the right thing if the time came. Rosemary has been my tower of strength and her words gave me the will to do what had to be done. Toby my little friend of 15 years became ill and went into renal failure. I could not bear to see him wasting away, not eating and gradually losing his battle. My kindly veterinarian tried everything he knew but it was no good. Somehow I was able to make sure he did not suffer - my daughter came with me and I was strangely calm at the time. Everything seemed to be over quickly and we said our loving farewell, grateful for the long time we had with him. We cremated him and now he is back with us in spirit. Oh the pain, regret, doubt and unspeakable sadness after! Had I done the right thing, could I have kept him a little longer. Although you know in your head it was right your heart aches so. I have never felt so guilty and insecure. All around you are reminders of where he used to be. I cried out that I wanted him back - then realising how selfish I was and hating myself. My husband has been tremendous and supported me even although I know he is hurting as much as I am. Each day now I remember what a dear little chap Toby was. My remaining two dogs know something is different and are subdued themselves. Sam and Toby never had a cross word in all the time they had together. Even little Oz respected Toby and gave him due homage as the elder statesman. When I was able to collect Toby's ashes the tears fell and once again I felt that hopeless feeling but I had brought him home and now I look as his little casket bearing his name and it has pride of place in front of the fire because strangely I get comfort from it. I now realise that this is the price we have to pay for the love and companionship we get from our pets. We can do no less for them than see they leave us with as little suffering as possible. It is the final act of love for them. Time will start to heal and I hope to be able to remember him without tears one day. I know I will have to face this again and pray it will not be too soon. However, no matter how wretched I feel today I could not imagine living without the wonderful unconditional love our dogs give to us. Thank you Toby for all you gave us. We loved you so. Rest in peace dear little friend.
TOBY - Cairn Terrier. 21.6. l987 - 8.8. 2002.
Kay Westgate
PAWPRINTS One night a very elderly little rescue dog had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with his mistress. Through his dream flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of prints, one set of paw and one of feet in the sand. One set belonging to him and one to his mistress.
When, just before going to sleep for the very last time and while lying in his mistress's arms with the last scene of his life flashing before him, he looked back at the paw and footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life the paw and footprints seemed to be dancing together but that at other times there was no pawprints in the sand only one set of footprints. He also noticed that when that happened it was at the most frightening and saddest times of his life.
This really worried the little dog and so he questioned his mistress about it. 'Mistress, you said many years ago that when you found me and took me home, I would be safe because you would be by my side always. But I have noticed that during the most frightening times of my life, there is only one set of footprints and my pawprints have gone, why were you walking alone when I needed you most?'
The little dog's mistress replied. 'My precious, precious little dog and friend, I love you and would never leave you. During the times when you found life itself terrifying, it is then when you see only my footprints; because it was then that I carried you until you could face life again and our paw and footprints could then continue together in the sand. Sleep now, but rest assured, our paw and footprints will again one day dance in the sand.
RIP
MOTLIE 1985 - 2002
(Windmills Hotlie Motlie)
Rosemary Elliott Aug: 2002
