No fun today ... :-(

[Tinman507]

Rainbow bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies who 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...

My sincerest condolences, Popeye

[Popeye]

Thank You my Brothers your words do help comfort this very heavy heart of mine. She went very quietly with a belly full of treats. When I got home I put away her bed and am washing some of blankets that were in her bed and cage. She never liked the cage after we got her until she started to loose her hearing. Then I believe it gave her a secure feeling to be in there but we never locked her in there. We adopted a 16 month old Cairn Terrior a few months back from and older couple who just couldn't keep her so I'm kind of concerned how she is going to take the loss of Glow. Oh buy the way the name Glow came about because when the sun hit her hair she did kind of have a Glow about her. She really will be missed by the wife and I. She like our other two previous dogs will be privately cremated (our daughter is in the vetenary business) and burried in the back yard. Each one has a headstone made out of a flat rock and engraved by me using a roto zip and a tile cutting blade. This way there never far from our hearts and our memories. Again thanks guys your words do help....... Popeye.

[wyntrout]

You have my sincere condolences, Popeye. My wife and I had to do that to our very sick... many problems... Minpin 8 years ago this month. We took him to the Vet when he still had bad pain and the meds weren't doing him any good. He was a beloved member of our family and both of us held him and talked to him, bawling our eyes out, at the vet through the process. We had him cremated and I spread his ashes in his favorite spot under the palm tree out back. I have many pictures of him standing there and daring the tree rats to come down and "play". We still miss him so much and couldn't bear the prospect of another short-lived family member, so we're pet-less now. I know you'll miss her.

We took all of our dog beds, blankets and such to the vet and the staff the next day or so. They were astounded at the nearly pickup-load of stuff we had accumulated for him, but nothing was wasted or thrown away.

Wynn

[Mike_B]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies who 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...

My sincerest condolences, Popeye

Wow....I've saved this on my computer. Thank you Tinman.

[JimC]

My sincere condolences on the loss of your friend.
The last dog that we had was our German Shepard, "Q". He passed back in 2006.
He was my faithful friend and I his. This is the reason that I will never own another dog again.

I offer this to you.

Treat Me Kindly

by Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

[CJB]

Age 54. I still wje up cryin from nightmares about my pets who have passed. The ones I have put down especially. My best wishes for ya. I can only think that there will be an end to suffering.

[jdlott74]

So sorry Popeye...Our mini dauschand is getting older too and dread having to put her down. She was my first real pet and first baby...

[Popeye]

Thanks guys for your kind words. I have a copy of the rainbow bridge that a friend gave me a while back I've read it many times and still brings tears to my eyes. I'm sure Glow is at the bridge with her brothers and sisters Buffy , Quincy, Cody, and Bandit, that came before her and lived long and spoiled lives in our home. We have children of our own but theses dogs were treated as if they were our children. We still have Bella our two year old Cairn Terrior.
She will be our last dog I'm sure because of our age. For those who have never owned a Cairn Terrior there are rules you must know before you own one.

[ORSalesRep]

Very sorry for the loss of your friend. When I was coping with a similar loss of my own, I stumble across the following and read it over and over until I knew it by heart. The message of this poem did help me feel better and I hope it helps you as well. Hang in there.

And if I go while you're still here...

Know that I still live on, Vibrating to a different measure behind a thin veil you cannot see through.

You will not see me, so you must have faith.

I wait the time when we can soar together again, both aware of each other.

Until then, live your life to the fullest. And when you need me, just whisper my name in your heart, ....I will be there.

Colleen Hitchcock

[1radman]

God bless you both.

JimC, Thanks for this...truly beautiful...My Black Lab Guiness has been my most trusted and loyal companion for 10 years now. I dread the day I lose him.

Treat Me Kindly

by Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.[/QUOTE]

[Deano]

Very sorry to hear of your loss. We just this past December had to put down our yellow lab at age 12 1/2. It was a tough decision, but the right thing to do. From the day we brought her home, all she wanted was to be with us and please us. She would fetch until she was ready to drop, and still wanted more.

The day we took her in, I decided for one more round of fetching in the back yard. I hit the ball with the tennis racquet, and she just stood there with a sad look on her face, and didn't fetch it. That's when I really knew it was time. The thing that gave her the most joy in life was gone. All she had left was pain.

You did the right thing my friend. Be thankful for the good times you had.

[AIRret]

Hey Popeye, I'm very sorry to hear that your losing your spirit (dog). I say spirit instead of dog, because dog just doesn't fit. They are soooooo much more. I think their spirit touches a place in our heart the nothing else can!!! and that is one reason it hurts so much. Take comfort in the time you had together, it sounds like she had a great life. Putting her down is the one last kindness you can do for her.