Memorial Page

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 the
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, someone who was 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
begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green
grass, 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 those trusting eyes,
so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Every night in my dreams I see you, I feel you
That is how I know I can go on
Far across the distance and spaces between us
You have come to show you go on.

Near, far, wherever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more you opened the door
And your here in my heart and my heart will go on and on.

Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime.
And never let go till we're gone.
Love was when I loved you, one true time, I hold to
In my life, we'll always go on.

Near, far, wherever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more, you opened the door
And you're here in my heart.
And my heart will go on.

You're here, there's nothing I fear.
And I know that my heart will go on.
We'll stay forever this way,
You are safe in my heart,
And my heart will go on.

Garland's Destiny

July 17, 1998 to December 20, 2000
At the Rainbow Bridge,
waiting for Doreen, Tom, Flirt, Keira, Hogie
and Brenda's Lady

You were with me to the very end and even after I had "gone" you held me, and as my soul left my body and I looked down and saw you crying, I wanted so much to tell you that I understood. You did this for me. I tried to tell you in my own way that it was time for me to leave and I thank you for understanding. No other will take my place, but those I left behind will need your love and affection as I have had. You still think of me, and there are times you try to hide your tear-filled eyes....but please...be happy and think not of sadness, but of how I made you happy and made you laugh at the funny and smart things I did.

There are no fences in Valhalla, for no one has the desire to "dig out".
There are no thunderstorms in Valhalla, therefore fear is never present.
There are no fights in Valhalla. Everyone is congenial. There is no hunger. There is no thirst. There is much to explore. Many of us take care of the little ones and guide them. It's fun watching them run with their ears flopping and their tails wagging. We have four seasons in Valhalla, and most of us agree, winter is our favorite. So you see, my loved one, I am very happy... When it comes time for my friends to leave, I will meet them at the gates of Valhalla, and I will acquaint them with this beautiful and serene place, and I will take care of them for you. Thank you for loving me, caring for me, and having the courage to let me go with dignity.

August 1, 1999 - December 19, 2000
Waiting at the Bridge for
Brenda, Wayne and his special playmate Lady.

"My heart hurts so much.
It was the right thing and the right time.
Rhett was ready for the pain to stop
And so were we."

To Rhett

“Mommy and Grammy miss you SO much.
Our hearts will ache forever
For the friend we will always miss.
You are in our hearts always and forever
Now, go chase that squirrel and that bunny,
Go play with Odin and your other friends,
With strong legs and strong hips.
You are healthy now and forever.
We love you and miss you, Rhett!”

TO MY BEST FRIEND

With all God’s creatures great and small
Go run and play now, have a ball
No more aches; and no more pain
Just bright sunshine; no more rain.

Rest in peace; for now best friend
Cradled in God’s arms; to the end
Dream of that special; day and time
When we’ll meet at the Bridge; one last time

Although we’ll be separated; for a long time
We’ll be together then; and all will be fine
We’ll cross Rainbow Bridge; side by side
With a warm feeling; deep down inside

Once again then; all will be fine

We’ve together forever; till the end of time

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 dog 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."

Man's best friend
His title well earned
With traits so tried and true
Though none of them learned

Loyal without question
It seems without end
The bond that develops
One never could rend

Protective by nature
So sleep without care
Standing guard through the night
To banish the fear

Loving without limit
No condition applies
He shares it quite freely
Wagging tail - twinkling eyes

These traits earn him the right
To be called best friend
The right and obligation
That death does not end

For God has decreed
It breaks not His laws
For your guardian angel
To have four furry paws.

May 1996 - December 4, 2000
"Some stars shine so very brightly that they burn out too fast."

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I will miss you,
a million times I will cry.
If love alone could have saved you,
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
in death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no pup could ever fill.

It broke my heart to loose you,
but you did not go alone.
For part of me went with you,
the day God called you home.

Your precious memory is my keepsake,
with which I'll never part.
God has you safe in His keeping,
but I'll have you forever in my heart.

If tears could build a stairway,
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

China

9/21/89 -10/1/00

Pooh Bear

9/21/89 - 8/2/98

Fragile Circle

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan."

Tralfaz was a life long dream come true. He broke all the rules and was always a rare dog in size, behavior, and personality. He was not just a dog but an integral part of the family and is very much missed. He lived with epilepsy and was battling and winning with liver disease. Unfortunately it was his insatiable appetite for towels and other things that lead to the end of a dream dog.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die...

Sunlight streams through window pane
Unto a spot on the floor...
then I remember,
it's where you used to lie,
but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,
and muted echoes sound...
then I remember,
It's where your paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road,
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can't be yours...
your golden voice is still.
But I'll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.
I'll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above.

Author Unknown

A A lifetime of love in a hug and a smile,
A reason to visit and stay for a while --
The strength of a bond that's destined to last,
The joys of the present, The warmth of the past...

These are the treasures a fortunate few
Are lucky to cherish all their lives through.
These are the blessings on which we depend,
For these are the gifts of a very best friend.

Romeo - February 1994 - August 27, 2000

Waiting for Elaine

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
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.

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

BELLE

You are so beautiful to me
You are so beautiful to me
Can't you see
You're everything I hoped for
You're everything I need
You are so beautiful to me

Such a joy and happiness you bring
Such a joy and happiness you bring
Like a dream
A guiding light that shines in the night
Heavens gift to me
You are so beautiful to me.
From You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker

Belle

December 23, 1994 to August 26, 2000

Whole again at the Rainbow Bridge
and waiting for Debbie

I got to the gate of heaven today,
after we said good-bye,
I began to miss you terribly,
because I heard you cry.

Suddenly there was an angel,
and she asked me to enter heaven's gate,
I asked her if I could stay outside
for someone who would be late.

I wouldn't make much noise you see,
I wouldn't bark or howl,
I'll only wait here patiently,
and play with my tennis ball.

The angel said I could stay right here
and wait for you to come,
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
if I went in alone.

So I'll wait right here, you take your time,
but keep me in your heart,
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven
without you to warm my heart.

Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to love, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love.
From Angels Among Us by Alabama

Ladybug
March 19, 1995 to August 24, 2000
Whole again at the Rainbow Bridge
waiting for Gay

You brought love into my life,
when I thought there was none.
You taught me patience;
your smile warmed my heart,
and your eyes filled me with joy.

Thank you for giving me the chance

to love, support and care for you.
Please forgive me if it wasn't enough,
and know how very, very much I loved you,
and how very, very much I miss you.

She was a shining light in my life. I will always cherish the memory of those special times when she lay in front of me, paws crossed, that regal head held high while she held my gaze, those soft brown eyes spoke without words; I felt she could see into my soul. She knew my sorrow, my joy and my frustrations; just the gentle touch of her chin on my knees worked her special magic. Her loss is indefinable but the gift of her unquestioning love is a force that will live with me forever.

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 reassure 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 "goodnight, 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.

Now happy, healthy and seizure-free at the Rainbow Bridge

Waiting for Debbie

Keen-Keen, you and Jaime were truly one soul in two bodies. What you had with
her was a special magic; as you looked into her eyes only while she held you
in her 9-year-old lap during those last two hours, there was no doubt of the
love that you shared. If love could have saved you, or healed you, you would
still be here. Guard her well from above; God gave you to each other. We all
miss you terribly, and will love you forever.

Destiny	China	Romeo	Cherokee
Two Step	Tralfaz	Belle	Akita
Harley	Randy	Ladybug	Spud
Sasha	Keno	Rhett	Liz