Happy Halloween!

Tapestry

The effect of love on a heart is a wondrous thing. When one loves and is loved, it is as if the fibers of each heart reach out to each other and twine together, forming a bond. The longer and deeper the relationship, the more intricate the pattern that the bond forms. The love between parent and child, between grandparent and grandchild, between close friends, between people in love, between a person and a beloved pet - each forms aunique pattern and all intertwine to form a tapestry in the heart.  One who does not love has a blank canvas for a heart. A person with a heart full of love has a rich and beautiful tapestry in their heart. 

When one of the loved ones has to make that final journey to the Rainbow Bridge, and the two are parted for this life on earth, the tapestry is pulled in a new direction and it tears a little bit. A few fibers of the tapestry become unravelled. The stronger the  bond, the more it hurts.  Memories of the loved one help with the pain. The love and caring of others help with the pain, too. The heart will never look the same, but it is still incredibly beautiful. When a new relationship is formed, it does not fill the space of the old one, but begins a new piece of the tapestry. It becomes part of the wonderful tapestry of love. 

(Laurel Kristick, 1996)

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I would like to thank Laurel Kristick for the kind permission to publish the writing on my blog.

Promises kept

You run in different fields now. … Effortless.

You jump and play with wild abandon. … Painless.

Eternally young and carefree. ... Timeless.

There is a shroud over my heart. … Darkness.

Days are longer and empty without you. … Cheerless.

I still keep your pillow next to my bed. … Sleepless.

The years march on. … Ceaseless.

The memories never wane. … Impervious.

I feel the moment of my fading, then ... Brightness.

We run in different fields now. … Effortless.

We jump and play with wild abandon. … Painless.

Together for all eternity. … Glorious.

 

(Jim Willis, 2001)

 

*****
 

I would like to thank Jim Willis (http://www.crean.com/jimwillis/) for his kind permission to publish his writing (taken from "Promises Kept Poem Memorial Keepsake Picture Frame and Pet Loss Sympathy Gift”) on my blog.

A letter from Heaven

Some say you're too painful

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(Artist unknown)

When things seem dim

If I should go

A little dog angel

"A little dog angel" by Norah Mary Holland; Design by Isa of Mayflower

"Engelshund"

Nachdem ich gestern den englischsprachigen Artikel „angel dog“ gelesen hatte, machte ich mich auf die Suche, ob es auch einen deutschen Bericht gibt – und wurde fündig:

 

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Eine Frau verabschiedet sich von ihrem Hund. Auf einem Foto entdeckt sie später Unglaubliches

Tiere verurteilen nicht, sie sind einfach da und stehen ihrem Besitzer bei. Deshalb ist es eine wundervolle Verbindung und deshalb tut es so weh, seinen treuen Gefährten zu verlieren.

Ashley Lang aus Chicago bekam ihren Hund mit dem Namen Wagner, als er noch ein Welpe war. Vor kurzem starb der Golden Retriever im Alter von zwölf Jahren.

Bei der Beerdigung verstreut Ashley seine Asche in ihrem Lieblingspark, um ihrem geliebten Vierbeiner die letzte Ehre zu erweisen. Eine Freundin fängt den Moment mit dem Handy ein. Die Bilder zeigen anschließend unglaubliches: Es scheint, als ob Wagners weiße Asche in den Himmel steigt und die Silhouette des Hundes formt.

Foto

"Angel dog"

Yesterday, I read the following article:

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Woman who lost her beloved golden retriever shares photo of ghostly 'angel dog' that appeared alongside her as she spread his ashes in their favorite spot

 

• Ashley Lang, of Chicago, was saying goodbye to her 12-year-old golden retriever, Wagner, when her friend took the amazing photo
• The picture seems to show a dog leaping up at Ashley as she spreads the ashes in a park
• She believes the photo was Wagner's way of bidding her farewell

 

A Chicago woman who lost her beloved dog says she was able to get one last glimpse of her loyal best friend in what she claims was a supernatural moment while she was spreading his ashes.

Ashley Lang's golden retriever, Wagner, died recently, at age 12, and while she was disseminating his ashes in their favorite park, her friend captured a snap on her phone that appeared to show the silhouette of a dog approaching Ashley.

'It’s pretty remarkable… the tail and the legs and he looks like he’s, you know, leaping to go up,' she told CBS Chicago of the amazing picture.

Photo

When I lost you

They will not go quietly ...

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Addendum

Today (Oct 11, 2016) I found the information that this poem was written by Linda Barnes.

Crossing over

9 things your deceased pet wants you to know

Sarah Petruno writes on her side about the loss of her dog *Mama* and she wants "to share with you the 9 things that Mama - and every pet - wants and wishes for their owners to know, after their Spirit crosses over":

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1. There’s nothing that could have been done differently

A Soul’s path is planned before they are born onto this Earth. This plan includes all possible exits from this world. And when the Soul leaves this Earth, know that this exit was part of their Soul’s plan and a specific choice made by their soul.

There’s nothing you, or anyone, could have done differently to save them. The time at which your Pet’s Spirit leaves this world is no one's doing, it’s no one's fault.

When it’s the Soul’s time to exit their physical body, everything that can be done, has already been done. Everything that needed to happen, did. Your pet wants you to know that there’s absolutely nothing you could have done differently, you did everything exactly right.

 

2. They chose you as their parent(s)

Just as the Soul chooses exit paths and plans for their life, your pet also selected you as their parent.

Your dog, your cat, your bird - chose you, as the one who would make them feel the most loved and bring them the most comfort and joy while they were here. And you did.

Your pet wants you know that you were and are the perfect parent.

You think dogs will not be in Heaven?

If there are no dogs in Heaven

Guardian Angel

Ein wahrer Freund

A true friend

The journey

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.

If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life’s simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joy of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.

If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.

The Vision

I saw a ship with beautiful sails on a foggy

winter’s morn; it seemed so peaceful

as it passed by no sound came from it at all.

I stood and watched the beauty as it passed me by the shore, and when I

looked around to see

who was on it;

there it was no more. I stood and wondered

why this vision had come my way, and then God reminded me we must all pass

away some day.

And even though the beauty goes from our sight

the image remains in our hearts and

it remains so bright.

So take some comfort just now and know that for sure, your  pets are safe with God in

His land forever more.

 

(Julie Schofield, 2005)

 

*****

 

I would like to thank Julie Schofield (http://julieandherdogs.tripod.com/mypoems/) for her kind permission to publish her poem on my blog.

Dinah in heaven

She did not know that she was dead

But, when the pang was o'er,

Sat down to wait her Master's tread

Upon the Golden Floor,

 

With ears full-cock and anxious eyes,

Impatiently resigned;

But ignorant that Paradise

Did not admit her kind.

 

There was one step along the Stair

That led to Heaven's Gate;

And, till she heard it, her affair

Was - she explained - to wait.

Epitaph To a Dog

Near this spot

Are deposited the Remains

Of one

Who possessed Beauty

Without Vanity,

Strength without Insolence,

Courage without Ferocity,

And all the Virtues of Man

Without his Vices.

 

The Price, which would be unmeaning flattery

If inscribed over Human Ashes,

Is but a just tribute to the Memory of

 “Boatswain,” a Dog

Who was born at Newfoundland,

May, 1803,

And died in Newstead Abbey,

Nov. 18, 1808.

I will never forget

(Author unknown. Photo & Design by Isa of Mayflower)

So go and run free with the angels

("So go and run free with the angels" Author unknown,
modified by Isa of Mayflower. Photo & Design by Isa of Mayflower)

That fateful day

("That fateful day" Author unnknown. Photo & Design by Isa of Mayflower)

Do they know?

Do they know, as we do, that their time must come?

Yes, they know, at rare moments.

No other way can I interpret those pauses of his latter life, when, propped on his forefeet, he would sit for long minutes quite motionless-his head drooped, utterly withdrawn; then turn those eyes of his and look at me.

That look said more plainly than all words could: "Yes, I know that I must go."

If we have spirits that persist-they have.

If we know, after our departure, who we were-they do.

You know you’ve gone to the ‘dogs’ when ... (1)

• Nobody's feet are allowed on the furniture, but your dogs are welcome to sleep on any piece they so choose.
• It takes an entirely separate garbage can to handle all the poop.
• All kinds of things around the house are in need of repair, but the injured dog you rescued by the side of the road requires immediate surgery and out comes the checkbook.
• You and your family haven't had your annual check up in two years, but the dogs are all medically up to date.
• You start barking at your children to "Sit! Stay!"
• You're more concerned with the dogs' needs than your own when the budget gets tight.
• At least three of your five weeks vacation are scheduled around grooming, vaccinations and dental cleaning ... all for the dogs!

You know you're a dog person when ... (1)

1. You spend $18 in entry fees, $25 in gas, $100 in lodging and meals, all for a .50 ribbon.
2. Your family room has crates in it.
3. You have extra cleaning bills for the squished up liver ground into the pockets of your jacket, pants, skirt ...
4. When buying a new house, the first thing you check is whether the yard is good enough!
5. When you're shopping for a new dress, and decide against one that is beautiful and really flatters you because it doesn’t have pockets for bait.
6. When your main consideration in buying a new pair of shoes is whether they have non-skid soles so you won't fall while gaiting your dog.
7. When almost every color of dress in your closet is the same, because that is the color that best compliments your dog - even if it's a terrible color for you.
8. When your family reunion and dog show falls on the same weekend, and you send your apologies to the family.
9. Every conversation you have eventually mentions dogs, even if you're talking about flowers, libraries, reading, whatnot.
10. When you're short on money and are more worried about whether the dogs have enough food for the month, than about your own groceries.
    

You know you have too many dogs when ...

• ... you have more grass in your driveway than in your backyard.
• ... you neighbors find ANY dog running loose and automatically bring it to your house.
• ... you want to watch TV and you have to sit on the floor because all of the furniture is "occupied".
• ... it takes you longer to wash your dogs' dishes than your own.
• ... you have to use a wash tub for a water dish.
• ... you have to run an obstacle course to get to the phone.
• ... you see one of your dogs doing something bad (like chewing something up or leaving a "dog deposit" on the rug) and you have to run through the entire list of dogs in order to yell at the right one and by then it is too late.

Why do dogs sniff each other?

The dogs once held a meeting; they came from near and far.

Some of them came by train, and others by trolley car.

 

But before they got inside the hall and allowed to take a look,

They had to take their rear ends off and hang them on a hook.

 

Then in the hall they went at once... the Mother, son and sire.

But hardly were they seated when some "mongrel" hollared "FIRE!"

 

So out the door they ran all in a bunch... they had not time to look...

And each one took a rear-end, at random, from the hook.

What dogs do for us

• Catch Frisbees.
• Keep a lonely night from being truly lonely.
• Keep our homes safe.
• Get us outside on beautiful fall days.
• Listen to our singing.
• Treat us like celebrities when we come home.
• Warm up our beds on cold nights.
• Star in our home videos.
• Make our hearts more vigorous.
• Take us outdoors on snowy winter days.
• Alert us to the arrival of the mail.
• Help us to live longer.
• Make us smile.

Waiting

I got to the gate of Heaven yesterday

after we said good-bye.

I began to miss you terribly,

because I heard you cry.

 

Suddenly there was an Angel and she asked me

to enter Heaven's gate.

I asked her if I could stay outside

for someone who'd be late.

 

I wouldn't make much noise you see,

I wouldn't bark or howl.

I'll only wait here patiently

and play with my tennis ball.

Just a dog

A poem dedicated to all of our missing friends.

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." 

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. 

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. 

So go and run free with the angels

So go and run free with the angels

Dance around the golden clouds

For the Lord has chosen you to be with him

And we should feel nothing but proud

Although he has taken you from us

And our pain a lifetime will last

Your memory will never escape us

But make us glad for the time we did have

Your face will always be hidden

Deep inside our hearts

Each precious moment you gave us

Shall never, ever depart

So go and run free with the angels

As they sing so tenderly

And please be sure to tell them

To take good care of you for me

 

(Author unknown)

That fateful day

I can’t forget that fateful day,

you had to leave, you went away.

A sadness filled me up inside,

emotions hat I could not hide.

 

Tears, they came, sadness too,

all my emotions, just for you.

Time will heal, so I was told,

but time could never fill this hole.

 

Here in my heart there is a place,

you’re always there, keeping me safe.

It’s filled with love and happy times,

it’s never dark, you light it shines.

 

In heaven now you do reside,

to watch over me with love and pride.

I know one day, we’ll meet again,

until we do just know how much I miss

you, and you are always with me. Always.

 

(Author unknown)

One day at the Rainbow Bridge

The scene is the fields at the Rainbow Bridge. A dog appears; looking confused.

A black cocker/poodle mix comes up to the dog.

Nessie: Hi! Welcome to the Rainbow Bridge! My name is Nessie. What's yours?

Dog: I don't know. Where am I?

Nessie: You're at the Rainbow Bridge. When we leave Earth, we come here. We are young and healthy again, and we can run and play and have fun until our humans come.

Dog (very scared): You mean humans are here too?

Nessie (with a yip of understanding): Oh! You never had a special human who loved you, did you?

Nessie: Human? Love?

Nessie looks around, and calls to a black Doberman running laps in the field.

Nessie: Tia! Do you have some time?

Tia comes running up.

Tia: Hi, Nessie! Who's this?

Nessie: He's a new arrival to the Bridge. He never had a special human as we did. I thought maybe you could explain it better than I could.

Tia: I can try. I think you may have been like me, friend. When I was young, the human I was with hurt me and scared me. My memories are of hurting hands and loud angry voices. Fortunately, I was very lucky. I was rescued by two wonderful people. They took me into their home. For over ten years I had good food, fresh water, a comfortable place to sleep, room to run, and lots of love and attention. Eventually, though, I became old and tired. I came here, where I have more energy than I had even as a puppy. I can run for hours and hours and hours. Someday, my two special humans will come here; we will have a wonderful reunion and then we will cross that beautiful Bridge there. We will never again be separated.

Do I go home today?

My family brought me home cradled in their arms.

They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.

I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.

 

The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.

They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.

I used to go for walks, often several times a day.

Oh, it was just so wonderful to be able to play and play and play.

 

They are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.

I now live in the shelter - without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.

But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.

I stole your dog today

I stole your dog today.

No, I didn't set a foot on your property, but from the condition of your dog, I can imagine what it looks like ... the word "junkyard" comes to mind.

I found her along a road, with a heavy chain wrapped around her neck, still attached to rotten boards from her doghouse, with rusty six-penny nails protruding. Not only did I know that most of the town had already ignored her, judging by where I found her, but I knew that if she had gotten into the woods the "cross" that she dragged behind her would have wrapped around a tree until starvation or thirst killed her. The local populace is usually deaf to the sound or blind to the sight of an animal in need, unless they decide to shoot one for trespassing.

That her ribs showed, that her ears were filthy, that her overall condition was poor and that her coat and eyes were dull, were good indications that you didn't deserve her. But just to make sure, I checked with the local authorities for a report of a missing (unlicensed) dog matching her description and to see if you'd placed a "lost dog" advertisement in the local newspaper. You hadn't, which I can only surmise means that you do not miss her. That's rather convenient, because the fact that she is not spayed, probably unvaccinated, and possibly heartworm positive means that restoring her health could cost me around a thousand dollars.

Don't grieve too long for now I'm free

Don't grieve too long for now I'm free

I'm following the path God set for me

I ran to Him when I heard His call

I wagged my tail and left it all.

 

I could not stay another day

To bark, to love, to romp or play

Games left unplayed must stay that way

I found such peace it made my day.

 

My parting has left you with a void

So fill it with your remembered joy

A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss

Oh, yes, these things I too shall miss.

God saw you getting tired

God saw you getting tired

When a cure was not to be,

So He closed His arms around you

And whispered, "Come to Me".

 

You didn't deserve what you went through

and so He gave you rest,

God's garden must be beautiful

He only takes the best.

 

And when we saw you sleeping

So peaceful and free from pain,

We could not wish you back

To suffer that again.

 

(Author unknown)