Remember your best friend forever...

After you get a new puppy (or take on a stray). They become your best friend, as the trust and love grows between you both. That love is so great, it cannot be put into words....it becomes difficult to imagine enjoying life without them!

When their "race has run" and you suffer the loss of your dear furry friend, remember you are not alone. Rest assured others have experienced the pain as well, although it may feel that you are the only one who has ever felt such pain!

It's okay to feel the grief and loss, so don't let others make light of your feelings. When you are in pain, let the tears flow... they are a natural part of the healing process!

It may help to talk, but beware of the "it's only an animal" attitude of others. Friends who fail to understand, will hopefully be supportive towards you and respect your sad feelings.

Watch out for the "Oh, for heavens sake, get over it" syndrome, this is a comment made out of ignorance. These words would not occur to anyone who had ever truly loved and lost a pet!

When grief attacks you, with thoughts of guilt and self-doubt. Remember that no matter how long or short their life was and the precious gift of life they gave you....remind yourself who gave that furry friend, the gift of a loving home!

Maybe you had to make the decision to help your pet "cross the bridge" in the end. If so, think of it as your final gift. Remember that every day you and your pet had together was a special time for you both.

Celebrate the life, the fun and the lovely memories... rather than dwelling on the loss!

Although the pain will ease, as the days pass, it will rear it's head from time to time. As time heals the pain, don't let it dim the memories. Keep a tribute journal or put together a photo album.

Do whatever you feel is right to keep the beautiful memories alive in your heart and look forward to the time you will meet again at Rainbows Bridge.

Rainbows Bridge Poems


I'm Still Here With You

I stood by you, 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.

~ author unknown ~



A Faithful Dog

A faithful dog will play with you
And laugh with you or cry.
He'll gladly starve to stay with you
Nor ever reason why.

And when you're feeling out of sorts,
Somehow he'll understand.
He'll watch you with his shining eyes
And try to lick your hand.

His blind, implicit faith in you
Is matched by his great love.
The kind that all of us should have
In the Master, up above.

When everything is said and done
I guess this isn't odd
For when you spell "dog" backwards
You get the name of God.

~ author unknown ~



When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me And I'm not there to see
The sun will rise and find your eyes, All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry The way you did today
Remembering how I'd lay my head In your lap that special way.
I know how much you love me, As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand,
That an Angel came and called my name, And petted me with her hand.
She said my place was ready, In Heaven far above.
And that I'd have to leave behind, All those I dearly love.
But, as I turned to heel away, A tear fell from my eye.
For all my life I never thought, That I would have to die.
I had so much to live for, So many sits and downs to do,
That it seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you.
I thought about our lives together, I know you must be sad.
I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had.
Remember how I'd nudge your hand, And poke you with my nose.
The squirrel I would gladly chase, The bad guy "I'd bark and hold".
If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a little while,
I'd wag my tail and kiss you, Just so I could see you smile.
But, then I fully realised, That this could never be;
For emptiness and memories, Will take the place of me.
And when I thought of treats and toys I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did My dog-heart filled with sorrow.
But then I walked through Heaven's Gate And felt so much at home;
As God looked down and smiled at me From His heavenly throne.
He said, This is eternity, And now we welcome you.
Today your life on earth is past, But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow But today will always last;
For you see, each day's the same day There's no longing for the past.
Now you have been so faithful, So trusting, loyal and true.
Though there were times you did things, You knew you shouldn't do.
But good dogs are forgiven, And now at last you're free.
So won't you sit here by my side, And wait right here with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me, I'm right there, in your heart.

~ author unknown ~



Only The Best

A heart of gold stopped beating,
two shining eyes at rest,
You broke our hearts to prove,
God only takes the best.

We know you had to leave us,
you did not go alone,
for part of us went with you,
the day He took you home.

To some you are forgotten,
others just the past,
but to us who loved and lost you,
the memory will always last.

~ author unknown ~



Knowing

If I had known that on this day our time was near the end
I would have done things differently, my forever friend
I'd have played with you all through the day
And stayed with you all night

As I say "Good-night" to you and walked of through the door
Not thinking of the time that I would see you no more.
But had I known that on that day our time was at the end
I would have done things so differently my forever friend.

~ author unknown ~



Memories

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
We never wanted memories
We only wanted you
In life we loved you dearly
in death we love you still
In our hearts you hold a special place
no other pet will ever fill
If tears could build a stairway
and heartache made the lane
we'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

~ author unknown ~

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