poems for the loss of our babies, Forest Ostrander [good beach reads .TXT] 📗

misses you Smudge. He's so big and beautiful. You wouldn't recognize him now; the constantly hungry little guy has grown into a hungry big guy. Moon, I know you're with your mother Mattie, and your sister Annabel Lee. I'm sorry you had to find them so soon. We were just getting to be friends. Katie, I hope you're running through the water you so dearly loved to play in here. How you loved being held in the shower! Coco, my loyal and protective wolf friend. I feel privileged to have shared my live and my home with you. Sometimes, God grants our secret wishes in small ways, and He gave me you. Ah, Yuri. You willingly shared Charlie with me, knowing I wouldn't hurt him or you. You offered me your devotion and love. How could I not accept so precious a gift?

I know some of you will look and not see your names mentioned here. Have I forgotten so quickly? Don't I love you as much as those whose names are written? My precious fur angels! How could you think I don't love you? If I could, I would reverse time, so we could once again share the happiness and love. Your faces are as clear to me as if it were yesterday and you were here, asking for dinner and demanding to be petted. I can barely see through my tears to write this. All of you brought light, life and joy to me. I cherish the memories of your love and trust. We've planted flowers and trees in honor of your memories. Every spring and summer, the sadness is softened by the beauty that blooms. As I look out my windows, I am reminded of each and every one of you. My dear little friends, know that I keep you in my heart. As long as I remember your names, you will never be forgotten, or replaced. One day, we will all be together in the sunshine, warm breezes, and green meadows. Until that time, you are missed....and loved....always loved.

Linda Gillian

HIS APOLOGIES

Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old.
He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled.
But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee...
Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is *very* comfy with Thee.

Master, behold a Sinner! He hath committed a wrong.
He hath defiled Thy Premises through being kept in too long.
Wherefore his nose has been rubbed in the dirt and his self- respect has been bruised.
Master, pardon Thy Sinner, and see he is properly loosed.

Master, again Thy Sinner! This that was once Thy Shoe,
He has found and taken and carried aside, as fitting matter to chew.
Now there is neither blacking nor tongue, and the Housemaid has us in tow,
Master, remember Thy Servant is young, and tell her to let him go!

Master, extol Thy Servant, he has met a most Worthy Foe!
There has been fighting all over the Shop -- and into the Shop also!
Till cruel umbrellas parted the strife (or I might have been choking him yet),
But Thy Servant has had the Time of his Life -- and now shall we call on the vet?

Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play,
And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentedst away.
But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see
(Brushed -- with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea.

***************************************************

Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind.
He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind.
Oh, leave him not to his loneliness; nor make him that kitten's scorn.
He hath had no other God than Thee since the year that he was born.

Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass.
There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass.
His bones are full of an old disease -- his torments run and increase.
Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a quick release!

by Rudyard Kipling

I AWAKE
By Mike Blanche


I awake...but I do not remember falling asleep.
Just a moment ago, little Jimmy threw the ball
And I chased it with all my puppy concentration,
Timing each bounce in the grass to catch it
At just the right moment.
Did I feel the front yard's grass turn to stone?
Did I hear a screaming sound?
Perhaps I did. Perhaps I dreamed.
The fresh tang of dewy grass teases my nose.
The warm sun warms me. I open my eyes,
Many new friends gather around me.
They show me what to eat, where to drink.
We play and sleep, near the bridge of all colors.
This is wonderful...but it is not perfect.

I awake. Only a moment ago I fell asleep,
Deep asleep, lying in Jim's arms.
I remember the pain in his eyes,
And the pain in my body, slowly ebbing.
So many years I played at his feet,
Slept by his side, sat watching at his windows.
Slowly I moved less, jumped less, ate less, saw less.
He loved me, carefully caressing me,
Making soft soothing sounds.
But the pain is gone; the blades of grass
Tickle my nose. I open my eyes,
And find new friends gathered around me.
My legs are like springs. Butterflies play tag.
I am fed, and we play near the many-colored bridge.
It is wonderful...but it is not perfect.

I awake. When I fell asleep moments ago,
I thought all was finished. But now I see
Sunshine streaming through the leaves above.
All the pains and aches of my long life
Are dimmest memories. I lift my hand
Before my eyes. I see it clearly, soft and smooth,
As it has not been in years. I rise,
My legs strong again, my toes against
The cool grass. My ears hear birdsong;
The freshness of dawn floods my senses.
I move easily, drawn to a bridge nearby,
Arching gracefully into the distance.
This is wonderful...but it is not perfect.

I approach the bridge, and turn to gaze
Into the fields nearby. I see happy creatures,
Sitting, playing, and sleeping.
But my eyes are drawn to two joyous beings,
Running at their fullest speed.
They seem familiar. Can they be
The animals I knew before?
THEY ARE! I kneel down,
They rush into my arms, wetting my face
With joyous kisses and tears.
We stand. We move together
Across the Rainbow Bridge.
This is wonderful...this is perfect.


Mike Blanche

I saw the Bridge
A true experience as posted by Sharry Daniels
We had to have Pismo put to sleep on Nov. 6, 1993. He was an 18 year old, 6 pound yorkie. Most of Pizzy's life I was sick and confined to the house. He stayed with me every min. of every day. On days when life didn't seem worth living his unconditional love for me kept me alive. I know he was a gift from God. Without that funny little mutt I wouldn't be here today.

By the time I got better Pizzy was old and sick. Now it was my turn to stay with him. I should have let him go before I did, but I couldn't. He was so much a part of me, that having him put to sleep was almost like committing suicide. BUT I DID IT!!! It was horrible. I can't even think about it. Pizzy was gone and I never had my heart hurt so bad. I didn't know where to go or what to do. Everything reminded me of him. For 2 days my husband and I sat in shopping centers and in the car in shopping center parking lots and cried and cried and cried. All I could think of is where do dogs go? Is there a place for animals or is my Pizzy in that cold ground in our yard? Whose taking care of him? Where is he? Where's my Pizzy?

On Nov. 8, two days after he had died, my husband and I were sitting in the car in the Hill's Shopping Center parking lot. It was four o'clock in the afternoon. The sky was bright blue without a cloud anywhere. It had not rained all day and again there was not even a cloud in the sky. We were facing west , looking toward the setting sun. I was sobbing and sobbing and screaming, "Please, God, please. Tell me where Pizzy is. Please, God, tell me! Where is my Pizzy! Where is he!!! All of a sudden my husband said, "Look Sharry, Look!!!! He was pointing to the sky and when I looked up I saw a perfect RAINBOW in that cloudless blue sky right next to the setting sun. At the time I didn't know about the rainbow bridge, but at that moment I did know that God in His kindness was telling me that my Pizzy was somewhere over the rainbow and that he was okay.

About 5 months later my friend called me. She was all excited and told me to read the article in Dear Abby. I read it and just couldn't believe it. I read about the meadow and the RAINBOW and my sick dog wasn't sick anymore and he had water and food and he was playing and best of all I WOULD SEE HIM AGAIN. I am a skeptic and if I had just seen the article, I would have had doubts, but I SAW THE RAINBOW BRIDGE. I know it's real.

Up until last week I thought my husband and I were the only ones who believed the meadow and the bridge really exist and take comfort in its existence. Then I accidentally stumbled onto this bulletin board. I was and am still amazed, but so grateful that we share this hope with so many others. I never write on BB, and I wasn't going to this time either, because it's so hard for me to put my feelings into words. But I really feel that God would want me to share this with you guys in case there's someone out there who is a skeptic and needs a little extra bit of proof that God does have a special place for your pet to be cared for until you go to pick him up and cross the bridge together, never again to be separated.

I'm 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 colorful 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