The Eulogy

SHIHTZUSHELL · July 15, 2006

Look not where I was

For I am not there

My spirt is free

I am everywhere

In the air that you breath

In the sounds that you hear

Don't cry for me Mum

My spirit is near

I'll watch for you

From the other side

I'll be the one running

New friends by my side

Smile at my memery

Remeber in your heart

This isn't the end

It's a brand new start

by:Carol Kufner

A PARTING PRAYER

Dear lord, please open your gates

and call St.Francis

to escort this beloved companion

across the rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,

for she has been a faithful servant

and always done her best to please me

Bless the hands that send her to you,

for they are doing so in love and compassion,

freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.

help me remember the details of her life

with the love she has shown me.

And grant me the courage to honor her

by sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well

and let her know that I'll always love her.

And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,

please allow her to accompany those

who bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,

for the gift of her compainionship

and for the time we've had together.

And thank you,Lord,

for granting me the strength

to give her to you now.

Amen. by;Brandy Duckworth,1998

SHIHTZUSHELL · July 15, 2006

We Have A Secret

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 sliken head?

And only I walk woodlands 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 we pass

and when I call,no one but I

can see the bending grass.

Author unknown

SHIHTZUSHELL · July 15, 2006

I have more if anyone is interested.

dogbesotted · July 16, 2006

well now you have me shedding tears.

This time of the year is emotional for me. On the 10 July it was the 12 month anniversary of The Divine Miss Sophie getting her wings, and tomorrow 12 months since I farewelled my beloved Jake. The hole is huge and the silence deafening.

Bonniebank · July 16, 2006

I have more if anyone is interested.

I am SS, and thank you so much.

I'm sure these words have brought comfort to many on here at this time. :laugh:

SHIHTZUSHELL · July 16, 2006

I am not there.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

Iam not there.Ido not sleep.

Iam a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints of snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

Whenyou awaken in the morning's hush,

Iam the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

Iam the stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there, I did not die.

Mary Frye

SHIHTZUSHELL · July 16, 2006

PEOM FOR DOG LOVERS.

Hello, I've been expecting you for quite some time.

Here,come sit beside us for awhile,

and let me tell you about this old friend of mine.

She might look tattered or maybe old

But I won't say goodbye until you've been told.

She had the brightest eyes I had ever seen,

And wore a beautiful fur coat that would out shine a queen.

She was never prissy but walked with an aire...

And so polite, you could take her almost anywhere.

She could run like the wind and could catch anything she chased,

But she protected and sat with me when I had problems to face.

You could not find a friend nearly so dear.

Because no matter the troble she always stayed near...

She never asked me for much,

Just to love and respect her and I'll think you'll agree.

To give her a good meal plus a nice warm bed is not much to ask,

When she has given me all her love and to her this was no task

Now I understand you have a schedule to keep.

But I have a small favor befor she nods off to sleep.

Please fold your wings around her and let her feel young while in no pain.

Dear Guardian Angel of Pets,

Please keep her safe and happy until I see her again.

Ginger patton

kozpink · July 16, 2006

Thankyou for sharing these lovely poems :laugh: :eek:

SHIHTZUSHELL · July 16, 2006

A "GOLDEN" GOOD-BYE

this was writen bye Holly W.Gray for Shockie the golden retriever

I sit and try to write the wpords, I want your heart to hear.

Hoping to find some comfort, in the fact that your not here.

I look out into the open field, that you once occupied,

Knowing now that field is empty, because my love, you've died.

I do believe with all my heart, that your soul has gone to be,

Wuth all the other angel dogs, that you were meant to see.

We will have to stay behind, until god calls us too

So do not be afraid, that he's only called for you.

The water is stil, in the pond that you played,

And your bed is empty, where your pretty head laid.

Our bed is empty, where you once laid between,

the two people who LOVED you and now only dream,

that one day our eyes will shut one last time,

and you will come to greet us, angel of mine.

Until then, I'll kepp trying to see through the tears,

with memories you left us, to reflect through the years.

We'll never forget one minute we spent,

of loving and laughing, the places we went.

And I dread the day that your sent disappears,

for it's "proof" to me,Shockie, that you were just here!

But one day will come,when we'll remember just "you".

Now you go and play, and look down when you can'

remembering we love you,and this isn't the end.

ShesaLikeableBiBear · July 16, 2006

Am sure some of you have seen .

A Living Love

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your 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 have 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--simply because something in its

eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and

watch it explore, and claim 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 occur eight or nine or ten years later.

It will be a day like any other.

Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will

look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You

will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will

see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your

friend's diet--and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may

feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming

emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until

the third day finally arrives.

And on this day--if your friend and God have not decided for you, then

you will be faced with making a decision of your own--on behalf of

your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest

Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you--you will

feel as alone 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 three 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 fourth 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)

Edited July 23, 2006 by Hesapandabear

Bonniebank · July 16, 2006

Thank you SS & Hesapandabear for taking the time to post these words.

Is there any way these poems can be pinned (I think that means permanent???) on the Rainbow Bridge forum so that anyone can read them when they need to?

I know there will be a lot of people who will find comfort in these poems (as I have).

ShesaLikeableBiBear · July 16, 2006

Not sure how to pin but yes that's a great idea, I will also re-post "Laddie"

Perhaps you could pin and edit?.

Welcome. I am Laddie Braveheart, Second Year Resident of the Rainbow Bridge.

This is your introduction to the Rainbow Bridge. I have been a resident here

for a little over a year and am now a member of the Welcome and Orientation

Committee, Shetland Sheepdg and Scottish Breed Division. I have the extreme

honor of escorting you to the Scottish Ancrestral Section of the Rainbow Bridge where

those of our kind wait.

You have already received your Silver Harness, and it looks so good on you.

Now, let us begin our journey.

As you see there are fields of sheep and cows for the herding dogs, and over

there are the lakes, marshes and fields for the hounds and sporting dogs to

play. And here are Beau and Sam, the Goldens I lived with -- we visit often,

after all we have loved and are waiting for the same Humons. {See ya later,

me mates)

Oh, look! The agility games are going on. This is one of the newer areas at

the Bridge and they have just finished the Rally-O field--this time with the

directions for each station written in Dog.

All the areas at The Bridge are for all the animals here and we have a lot

of fun together. I have even seen some of the cats at the swimming ponds.

See that area over there? Where the sun shines bright and warm all the time,

and there is a gentle mist for a few hours each day? That is where all the

reptiles and amphibians are. They all have nice tree limbs and warm rocks to

lounge on.

But let's continue onwards.

Oh, check out those hedges and trees - that is where the bunnies and the

mice, rats, gerbils and ferrets are. I like to come down and watch them play

they just have so much fun -the flurry of activity and squeaking for joy

when one of their Humes is coming is a treasure.

Now watch your step, this is the Large Animal area. Occasionally all the

horses, mules, donkeys, even the cows and goats get a little carried away

with the Herd Running Game and can give a smaller critter like us quite a

surprise as they break the hill at full gallop. Even the pigs and chickens take part.

Here, the hills get a little steeper and woods a little thicker. It is so

much fun to run full speed, up and down the hills dodging the trees. Here

you will see the 'exotic' animals. The tigers and lions and bears and wolves,

all the animals thought of as wild but have hearts shared with humans. They, too

will cross the Rainbow Bridge with their special person.

But our journey carries us still further.

You feel the air getting crisper? And look, your coat is fuller and your

Silver Harness shines brighter. We are getting close.

Now, step carefully we are crossing the Crystal Bridge. Here, the weather is

always clear, the snow just the right depth and the tracks are, perfect.

Since we have arrived during the afternoon, I can show you some of the

activities we have.

The Scottish Breeds have many interests and enjoy many different games. I

know you are used to having your Humon hook your harness to the car or the

lead but your Silver Harness has magic and will hitch to what ever you want.

Over here are the sheep right next to the croft which has to be guarded and

over there is on the far side of the isle, are the fields of joy, where you

can run and play with your friends and share a ball or just laze away the

sunny afternoon.

And yes, there are a lot of other breeds up here all doing what they do

best, even though the Humes arnt there to see you, we all gather around to

watch you and enjoy your times as though they were ours.

The Sammies are over there herding reindeer, and there are open streams for

the Inuits and Greenlands to fish for salmon.

The Shelties came up with a great idea that has now become a tradition with

all the breeds. Each year during the National Breed Specialty there is a

Rainbow Bridge Specialty Show.

All the dogs who had show careers and those

who just wanted to be a show dog go into the show ring and go around one

more time.

The Shelties have gotten permission to have visitors from Heaven during that

time.

Humes who have no dog with them are allowed to come visit and watch the

show.

Judges and Stewards come and take part. And the old breeders come to see how

the breeds are developing and visit with their great-great grandpuppies. All

the dogs participating the first time get their Silver Rosette.

You see, every dog here is perfect.

If you look around you see not only are there warm straw beds to rest on,

but houses with soft sofas and fireplaces to just lounge on and swap

stories.

Many of the residents wait here for the night.

That is the time all of the Scottish Breed dogs assemble.

Each night a shelties team is formed and they run and play and herd the

sheep and the cattle.

They can be seen from earth as the Southern Lights and now we are getting

members from the Northern, Eastern and Western Hemispheres, and they also

run and play sometimes as far as the North Pole of earth, to give them

lights too.

Each March is a special run. That is when the Iditarod is run on earth and

all the dogs who have raced and played and worked together, team up for a

special display.

Many of them are cheering on their Humes who are racing. Many of them have

family members in the fields. It seems the Collies and the Borders work

their hardest to make the most spectacular light display.

Well, I think you are pretty well acquainted with the Rainbow Bridge both

North and South, East and West.

There are just a couple of other things you should know.

You are able to see your Humes when you miss them most. They may have gotten

a new puppy. That is good.

It means they have started to heal from the loss they felt when you left. But remember,

a part of your heart remained with them to replace the part of their heart they gave to you.

Now, occasionally, your Human may be particularly sad and missing you. You

are able to send your love to them any time. They will feel your love. It

may be as a shadow in the corner of their sight, or the soft sound of your

voice, or a gentle breeze caressing their cheek. And it will bring them comfort.

And there is one special night, Christmas Eve. All the animals waiting for a

special person gather together and send their gift of love to that person.

That night we are able to see into that person's home and if the person

looks, there is a star shining particularly bright. Just for them from us.

Oh, I see the sun is setting and you are looking at all the dogs gathering

together.

Go, and run, play, run and jump, . It is your night.

Godspeed.

Another:

They should come with a warning label, these creatures. They should come

with a label that says you're going to fall hopelessly in love, only to have

your heart shattered before you could ever possibly prepare.

And then you face one of life's truly wrenching decisions. Which is where I

am now. Specifically, as I type these words I am on the back deck of a rented house

in Maine surrounded by fields and forest, watching a sleeping golden

retriever named Harry drift another day closer to death.

He is gorgeous, this dog, with a gray face that shows the wisdom gained from

his 10 years on Earth and brown eyes that are the most thoughtful I've ever

seen.

He is sprawled out on the wood, his blond fur damp from his morning swim and

his breathing labored from his disease. And I ponder the question that has dominated

my thoughts for weeks: How will I know when the time is right?

He arrived in my life nearly a decade ago on one of those storybook

Christmas season nights that is too good to ever forget.

He was a gift to my wife, and when she opened the box the tears that spilled

down her face were those of joy. Women, of course, come and go, but dogs are

forever, so when the marriage ended, Harry stayed with me.

Since then, we've moved from Boston to Washington, D.C., and back again,

fetched maybe a quarter of a million throws, walked, I would wager, over 10

000 miles together.

He carried a tennis ball in his mouth for most of them, convinced that

anyone who saw him would be duly impressed. And, judging by their reactions,

he's right. Throughout, he has shown me sunrises and sunsets that I wouldn't otherwise

have seen.

He has taught me that snow is a gift, that the ocean is there for swimming,

that the coldest winter mornings and the hottest summer days are never as

bad as people say.

He has introduced me to people, kind people, whom I otherwise wouldn't have

met. He has forced me to take time every morning to contemplate the day ahead.

With his tail-swishing swagger, he has taught me to slow down, to pause in

an Esplanade field or on a Public Garden bench, the journey being as good as

the destination.

The big ruse, which I think he figured out years ago, was that all these

walks were meant for him. He has been an anchor in bad times, a ballast amid

occasional uncertainty, a dose of humility when things might be going a little too well.

He has been a sanctuary, a confidant, and an occasional excuse.

He regards it as his personal mission to make me laugh, whether by a

ritualistic dance over a pig s ear or a gushing lick to my face.

He's never once said the wrong thing, and it's impossible to be in a bad

mood around him.

All along, he lives by one simple mantra: Count me in. Anything I'm doing,

he wants to do as well, no leash or nagging required.

At home, he prefers to lie on the stoop of our condominium building,

presiding over the world around him.

His time, though, is fleeting, a fact that he's starting to understand.

In April, his lifelong veterinarian, Pam Bendock, blinked back tears as she

informed me that his stomach pains were caused by lymphoma.

Several rounds of chemotherapy failed to do what was hoped.

Two weeks ago, I stopped his treatments.

These days, he has lost 10 pounds or more and can't keep food inside.

He often wakes in the dark before dawn moaning softly in pain.

But by daybreak, he is urging me toward the beach or guiding me on another

walk, ball in mouth, ready to fetch, albeit slowly.

Maybe I should be embarrassed to admit that a dog can change a man, but I'm

not.

So as the clock winds out on a life well lived, I look back at the lessons

learned from this calm and dignified creature, lessons of temperance

patience, and compassion that will guide us to the end.

And I look into those handsome brown eyes for the sign that the time has

come. He'll give it to me, when he's ready.

And hard as it will be, we'll both know the journey was better than we could

have ever possibly hoped.

Edited July 23, 2006 by Hesapandabear

SHIHTZUSHELL · July 19, 2006

I still have some more poems 2 share when I get more time post them soon thanks for pinning these poems I think its important to save these poems I found them on a Cannadian sight many years ago and I dedicate them to my lost babies. Lassie , Max , Abbie , Moi , Molly , Mitzy and Becky .I miss all my babies so much and know all my angels are playing at the Rainbow Bridge watching over me looking forward to meet me again, when I have to go I want to stay at the Rainbow Bridge with all the aniamls.That would be my heaven.

If any body has any poems to share please put them in and they can help everybody.

Edited July 19, 2006 by SHIHTZUSHELL

ShesaLikeableBiBear · July 31, 2006

I Stood By Your Bed Last Night

Author unknown

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.

my_sibe_owns_me · August 5, 2006

...sorry added this to the wroung set of pinned poems last time :rofl:

To my beloved owner,

there's some things I'd like to say.

But first of all, to let you know,

that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from the Bridge.

Here I dwell with God above.

Here there's no more tears of sadness.

Here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy

just because I'm out of sight.

Remember that I am with you

every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you

when my life on earth was through,

God picked me up and hugged me

and He said, "I welcome you.

It's good to have you back again,

you were missed while you were gone.

As for your dearest family,

They'll be here later on."

God gave me a list of things,

that he wished for me to do.

And foremost on the list,

was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night

the day's chores put to flight,

God and I are closest to you...

in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth,

and all those loving years,

because you are only human,

they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry:

it does relieve the pain.

Remember there would be no flowers,

unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you

all that God has planned.

If I were to tell you,

you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain,

though my life on earth is o'er.

I'm closer to you now,

than I ever was before.

There are rocky roads ahead of you

and many hills to climb;

But together we can do it

by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy

and I'd like it for you too;

That as you give unto the world,

the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody

who's in sorrow and pain;

Then you can say to God at night...

"My day was not in vain."

And now I am contented...

that my life was worthwhile.

Knowing as I passed along

I made somebody smile.

God says: "If you meet somebody

who is sad and feeling low;

Just lend a hand to pick him up,

as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street

with me on your mind;

I'm walking in your footsteps

only half a step behind."

"And when it's time for you to go...

from that body to be free.

Remember you're not going...

you're coming here to me."

Linny · November 8, 2006

Hi all,

Thank you for your poems. I think this one is beautiful:

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 favourite 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

Best wishes,

Linny

Edited November 8, 2006 by Linny

Lablover · April 13, 2007

The old girl felt her worn and tired muscles relax and her pain dissolve.

She drew in a long, soft breath and relaxed a little more as the familiar, loving scent of her people, filled her lungs. Memories of them rushed through her brain and warmed her heart.

"A collage of happy images and tender days."

She felt their soft touches against her fur. Their hands sent a tactile message of their gratitude and their love. She felt the warmth atop her head and neck and blinked and saw their faces streaked with tears.

"Don't cry for me or feel sad."

She heard them as she shut her eyes. They said her name and the "good girl" words, through their pain and sorrow. In her mind, her tail wagged to tell them that she heard. And understood.

"Good bye, my Hearts."

She is standing in a meadow, near a stream. The sky is fiercely blue. She hears the song of many birds and smells the growing grass. Her legs are strong. Her eyes are clear. She begins to walk toward a brightly colored bridge, far off on the horizon, but pauses for a moment and looks back.

"Thank you. Until the day we walk together once again."

She turns and wags her thick strong tail and runs. And runs.

2000 Walt Zientek

Lablover · April 13, 2007

WINTER OF LIFE

Lord, he is old and weakened,

He walks where he used to run.

In his youth he was always a happy dog,

Now he sleeps his days away in the sun.

Please make his trail mostly level,

As he travels these last few miles.

Provide shade away from the heat of day,

Where he can stop and rest for awhile.

If it rains let the drops be gentle,

If it blows let the breeze be warm.

Let the winter of life be kind,

Provide shelter and keep him from harm.

Please Lord, if he must suffer,

Give the pain and hurting to me.

He has been through life's raging waters,

As only a man's dog can be.

He doesn't deserve to be hurting,

He has lived a hard and long time.

I hope as he leaves he'll be knowing,

Your love, as he has always known mine.

I raised him, Lord, from a puppy,

We have followed some rough rocky trails.

Please Lord, make this last trail gentle,

As he comes to where love never fails.

Louis A. Carle

Lablover · April 13, 2007

http://doyourememberlove.com/narration.html

Lablover · April 13, 2007

A Living Love

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your 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 litter. You may have asked