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

/> As I glanced at the calendar I couldn't help buy notice how quickly the year has passed. Being a methodical person, it was a natural course that I would take a quick look back and make a brief tally or my victories and losses this year. The losses came to mind first and were the first of three legs in this nights adventure. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes as my most recent upheaval flashed before my eyes. I wondered if I would ever feel safe again; if I would ever feel secure in the health of my family. Thinking about all we have been through I suddenly had the inclination to reach down to my right, where Buster always rested, and lay my hand on his head like I've done so many times before. He would lay quietly; sometimes I think he actually took those little flights of fancy with me. I reached for him...but tonight he wasn't there. So this time I made my journey alone...or did I?

Drifting down that misty road I became aware of a warm familiar feeling...a feeling of being safe. I couldn't see anyone there, but I knew Buster was there; I could feel him. It was so natural to talk to him and tell him how much I've missed him. I asked him if he was ok...if he was happy. I expected this to be a painful catharsis, but it turned out to be a celebration of the love we share with our once in a lifetime companions. "I'm fine..really I am. We all are. Our days are fill with games, chasing squirrels and anything else that comes along. I like the puppies best of all. They come here like little lost children but immediately catch sight of the bridge and all the bridgekeepers and their little hearts are light once more" "Are you ever lonely or frightened? Who takes care of you if you are sick?" I asked. "Oh ma, we never get sick here. And there is never anything frightening. Sometimes we go to the Bridge and watch as some moms and dads come to meet their bridgekids. Its always such a wonderful thing. Each day brings another happy reunion and we celebrate together. We get visits every once in a while from humans who don't have a bridgekid of their own but love animals; or from children who never had a chance to have pets. Those are my favorite visitors! At night we count stars and tell stories about our lives with you and the fun times we had" Buster's voice conveyed such bliss that I felt happy for him.

"Our visit will be over soon, but I want you to deliver this message to our humans back home. Please tell them that our happiness can only be complete if we can look down to them and see smiles on their faces when they think of us because then we will know they *understand*" I told him that at this time of year we can't help but think of our bridgekids and miss them perhaps a little more. I told him how I wished he had had one more Merry Christmas...or Happy New Year. "We have very Merry Christmas' here! All the children, puppies, dogs, cats ... just everybody who is not there with you is here with us! You know what? We even get to help make some of that holiday magic you feel. We are still with you if you would just see us. I was your heartdog; but here we are everyone's." Suddenly it became so clear to me. Finally I understood. They are now a part of that light from which all good things flow. They are the hush we hear in the night after a snowfall; the sweet scent after a summer storm. They are the beauty we see each Spring when the hills are bathed in hues of red, yellow and blue on a bed of green. They are the warmth we feel from the sun touching our skin. They are all things eternal. The coldest of Winters will give way to Spring which in turn will step aside as Summer awakens from her sleep. Now they are part of this cycle once more.

My journey is coming to its conclusion as I feel the gentle but steady pull of reality. The treasure I have brought back with me is one to share with you.

But I said there were three legs of this journey. Now that I have revisited and given some closure to things in the past, its time to look forward to the future. Here's hoping that peace, acceptance and fond memories light our journey like little footlights in the dark. And when the final steps are taken, may we all rejoice in seeing our own bridgekids as their turn comes to reunite amidst the cheers and tears of joy.


Remembrance © 1996 IMGordon

Bear
Rottweiler, 09/07/92-12/26/92

Oh, my gosh, what's this I see?
Another two legged creature standing over me.
Maybe, this time, I'll be the one,
As I have watched my litter mates go, one by one.

At ten weeks old, I know nothing of humans,
But I'm going to like this one, at least I'm assumin'
She knows how to love me and keep me safe from harm,
And I know, with this family, I'll be happy and warm.

My family loves to go camping and so do I,
So much freedom and peace under the clear, sunny sky.
I'd rather do nothing than play in the sun,
Long walks, lots of love, and I just romp and run.

Tonight, as we do my next favorite thing,
Which is taking a walk, I'm so happy I could sing.
Please let me take Girl's leash in my mouth,
I can walk her ... which way? ... north or south?

Gee, mom and dad, this is fun, but I'm so tired,
I can't seem to walk, my feet seem to be mired,
Just let me rest for a minute, I plead,
I'll be ready to go real soon, your voices to heed.

What's wrong? Why can't I get up and play?
Mom's crying so hard, I hate seeing her this way.
She's holding me and I want to tell her it's okay,
But Rainbow Bridge is calling me this day.

As we ride in the car on the way to the vet,
I slip quietly away and yet,
I wish I could stay with this family of mine,
Fourteen weeks is just not enough time!

My breeder didn't care about such things as good breeding,
All she wanted was money...all the warnings not heeding.
I hope she knows all the grief she has caused,
For the humans who loved me from my nose to my paws.

It is at Rainbow Bridge I now wait,
And when my family finally comes to the gate,
I will be whole again, and so will they,
In the meantime, we just wait for that glorious day.

Bev Raby

Dedicated to my precious baby, Bear. God, I still miss him so!


Beyond The Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.
'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

cg - 1995

BOXER ANGELS

For those Boxer Babies in the sky
Who have left our loving arms
Don't stop to ask or wonder why
Just know they're free from harm


No pain or fright confronts them now
They've left that all behind
They're embracing joy and freedom
And still live in our minds


Eyes are bright and seeing clear
Velvet skin is healed
Legs aren't stiff, and ears can hear
Our love they still can feel


Embrace their memory, hold it tight
Wipe away your tears
The Boxer joy that filled your life
Will last throughout the years


Think of them with happy thoughts
Say a thankful prayer
All those happy Boxer angels
Still know that we care


written by Dolly Juhlin June '97


Dogs In Heaven?
An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt road with fences on both sides, they came to a gate in the fence and looked in, it was nice grassy, woody areas, just what a 'huntin' dog and man would like, but, it had a sign saying 'no trespassing' so they walked on. They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there. "Welcome to Heaven" he said. The old man was happy and started in with his dog following him. The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed, I'm sorry but he can't come with you."

"What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs? If he can't come in, then I will stay out with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life, I can't desert him now."

"Suit yourself, but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his area, he'll promise you anything, but the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend Eternity on this road."

So the old man and dog went on. They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside. "S'cuse me Sir, my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?"

"Of course, there's some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable"

"You're sure my dog can come in? The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed anywhere."

"Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?"

"No sir, that's why I didn't go to Heaven, he said the dog couldn't come in.
We'll be spending Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won't come in if my buddy here can't come too, and that's final."

The man smiled a big smile and said "Welcome to Heaven."

"You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE