“It came to me that every time I lose a critter, they take a piece of
my heart with them.
And, every new critter who comes into my life gifts me with a piece
of their heart.
If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be
critter and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”

Unknown

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.” ~Unknown

This is a video by Barbara Gordon of a pet cemetery in Paris, France. It opened in 1899 and since then, over 40,000 pets have been buried there.

I was near you, by your bed last night; I came to have a peek. I could see
that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.
I chattered 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 out to me.
I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care. I want to
reassure you, that I am not lying there.
I flew with you back towards the house. As you fumbled for your key, I
gently touched you with a feather, 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 perching 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, and 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 fly
across to greet you and we’ll enter side by side.
I have 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

SHE IS STILL HERE

Friend, please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near.
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight-
I’m the brightest star on a summer night.
I’ll never be beyond your reach-
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.

I’m the colourful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there’s no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.
Just look for me, friend, I’m everyplace!

Author Unknown

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie–
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find–it’s your own affair–
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how
still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone–wherever it goes–for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ‘em, the more do we
grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long–
So why in–Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER

(From a pet’s point of view)

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years.  Any separation from you will be very painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.

3. Place your trust in me – it is crucial for my well being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up as punishment.  You have your work, your friends, and your entertainment.  I only have you.

5. Talk to me.  Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me. 

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I’ll never forget it. 

7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I’ve been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old.  You too will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys.  Never say, “I can’t bear to watch it” or, “Let it happen in my absence.”  Everything is easier for me if you are there. 

Remember – I love you!!

Author Unknown

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A RESPONSIB

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge,

this day dawned cold and gray,

damp as a swamp and as dismal as

could be imagined. All of the recent

arrivals had no idea what to think,

as they had never experienced a day

like this before.  But the animals

who had been waiting for their beloved

people knew exactly what was going on

and started to gather at the pathway

leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn’t long before an elderly animal

came into view, head hung low and tail

dragging. The other animals, the ones

who had been there for a while, knew

what his story was right away, for

they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great

emotional pain, but with no sign of injury

or illness. Unlike all of the other animals

waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not

been restored to youth and made healthy and

vigorous again.

As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched

all of the other animals watching him. He

knew he was out of place here and the

sooner he could cross over, the happier

he would be. But, alas, as he approached

The Bridge, his way was barred by the

appearance of an Angel who apologized,

but told him that he would not be able

to pass.  Only those animals who were

with their people could pass over

Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to

turn to, the elderly animal turned towards

the fields before The Bridge and saw a

group of other animals like himself,

also elderly and infirm. They weren’t playing,

but rather simply lying on the green grass,

forlornly staring out at the pathway leading

to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among

them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn’t

understand what he had just witnessed and asked

one of the animals that had been there for a

while to explain it to him. “You see, that poor

animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue

just as you see him now, an older animal with

his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never

made it out of rescue and passed on with only

the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he

left his earthly existence. Because he had no

family to give his love to, he has no one to

escort him across The Bridge.”The first animal

thought about this for a minute and then asked,

“So what will happen now?” As he was about to

receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted

and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge

could be seen a single person and among the older

animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in

a golden light and they were all young and healthy

again, just as they were in the prime of life.

“Watch, and see,” said the second animal.

A second group of animals from those waiting came

to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared.

At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on

the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly

restored animals fell into line and followed him

towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge

together. “What happened?”  “That was a rescuer.

The animals you saw bowing in respect were those

who found new homes because of his work. They will

cross when their new families arrive. Those you

saw restored were those who never found homes.

When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to

perform one, final act of rescue. They are

allowed to escort those poor animals that

they couldn’t place on earth, across The

Rainbow Bridge.”

Wally and Abby

Both Rescues