Heaven’s stars

At night when I am restless

I often watch the skies

And fancy that the stars I see

Are watchful Angel Eyes.

 

I seem to draw such comfort

From their presence in the night.

They make me feel less alone

With their twinkling light.

 

So when things are feeling hard

And the world seems too much.

Cast your eyeup towards the stars

And feel their magic touch.

 

(Author unknown)

I haven’t left at all

I saw you gently weeping as you looked through photographs

You paused for just a moment at one that made you laugh;

But as you turned more pages the tears began to flow

You whispered that you missed me but I want you to know;

I softly licked those stinging tears that down your cheeks did fall

I want to help you understand I haven’t left at all.

 

On those days that you are overcome with sorrow, pain and grief

I rest my head upon your leg to offer some relief.

When you take our walking path I’ve seen you turn around

Because I know you surely heard my paws upon the ground.

 

At night while you are sleeping I snuggle at your side

You stroke my fur as you touch that place where I used to lie.

You said it’s just your heart playing tricks upon your mind

But rest assured I’m really there, my spirit’s left behind.

 

I know your heart is hurting; it’s like an open sore

You think my life has ended and you won’t see me anymore.

But for those of us bound tight by love, death is not the curtain call;

It’s really the eternal beginning that waits for us all

So, dear Master as you live your life I patiently await

For us to be together when you pass through Heaven’s gate.

 

(Author unknown)

I felt an angel

I felt an angel near today,

though one I could not see

I felt an angel oh so close,

sent to comfort me.

 

I felt an angel's kiss,

soft upon my cheek

And oh, without a single word

of caring did it speak.

 

I felt an angel's loving touch,

soft upon my heart

And with that touch,

I felt the pain and hurt within depart.

 

I felt an angel's tepid tears,

fall softly next to mine

And knew that as those tears did dry

a new day would be mine.

 

I felt an angel's silken wings

enfold me with pure love

And felt a strength within me grow,

a strength sent from above.

 

I felt an angel oh so close,

though one I could not see

I felt an angel near today,

sent to comfort me.

 

(Author unknown)

Faithful friend

George Graham Vest, a lawyer from Sedalia, Missouri, who later became a US Senator, gave this eulogy in response to a lawsuit on behalf of "Old Drum", a foxhound who was viciously killed by a human neighbor. His owner brought suit for damages. When Mr. Vest concluded the case with this speech below, the courtroom was filled with tears. Old Drum's master won this law suit. 

"The best friend man has in the world may turn against him and become his worst enemy. His son, or his daughter, that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and good name may become traitors to their faith. The money a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our head. 

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only to be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. 

When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wing, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. 

If fortune dries his master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege that that of accompanying him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when that last scene comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there, by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful, and true, even in death." 

(Senator Vest, speaking to a jury about “Old Drum”, shot in 1869.)

 

There is a poem based on this true story. You can find it here.

A Whippet Christmas

On the night before the festive holiday

Everyone in the cozy house was tucked away

The snow had been falling all through the day

Between the children is where the whippet lay.

During the night where all were sleeping

The whippet awoke to something creeping

Up above, the snowy roof started creaking

Down the chimney he came, the stranger began softly speaking.

The bearded man in the red suit said he was Santa Claus

Excitedly wagging his tail, the whippet had to pause

The jolly man stated that Christmas was his cause

Dropping off presents, he didn’t need any applause.

The whippet licked his hand as he started to leave

Santa turned around and petted him thankfully

There were now toys and gifts underneath the Christmas tree

Once Christmas morning comes, the family will celebrate a holiday spree.

 

(Darren M. Grine)

It was Christmas after all

Hank's wife had only been gone a year but the pain was as fresh as if time had stood still. He was an old man now, alone and longed for the comfort that he knew no other person would ever be able to give to him again. What would his life become without her by his side? Hank's cupboards were close to bare now and, although he didn't want to go out, he knew he should at least pick up the basics. He drove slowly down the side streets for freeway driving had become too challenging. Suddenly, the car started chugging and sputtering until finally the engine quit altogether. One of the basic needs he forgot was fuel for the car! So he coasted over next to the curb, spotting a building within walking distance. Hopefully, they'd let him use their phone. He walked into an office area and rang the bell for service but no one came. He spotted another door going outside, failing to notice the sign posted „Employees Only“.

As Hank walked out, he was overwhelmed by yaps, barks and insane jumping from dogs all sizes and shapes. He then realized he had unintentionally gone to the dog shelter. Slowly he walked down the concrete aisle looking for an attendant. Should the old dog get excited? No one would want him. But, he sensed a need and couldn't resist offering a kind look and a gentle wag of the tail.

As Hank neared the old dog's cage, he laced his fingers through the chain link to steady his gait and the first feeling of comfort he'd remembered in over a year came from a wet nose and lick across his arthritic fingers.

Just then a voice of authority sounded, and Hank jumped. „I'm sorry Sir, you aren't supposed to be in this area!“ she said. Luckily Hank didn't know he had walked into the „final area“ where unclaimed dogs were scheduled to be put down. There went the nudge and lick thing again. Hank looked down to the most pleading eyes he'd ever seen.

Ignoring the attendants order to leave, Hank asked if he could see the dog closer? Her demeanor changed completely and her sternness melted away. She had forced herself to be this way so she could do the part of her job she despised. She brought the old dog out and instantly the two souls - once so lost - found reason to hope.

Hank's cupboards were now filled, a warm fire crackled and the old dog smiled inside as he remembered „only in your dreams.“ Closing his eyes he felt Hank's hand stroking his head whispering „sleep in heavenly peace“.

It was Christmas after all.

(Author unknown)

The night before Dog-mas

'Twas the night before Dog-mas, when all through the pound,

Not a puppy was yelping or playing around.

Our leashes were hung by our kennels with care,

In hopes that St. Bernard would soon find us there.

 

Chihuahuas were curled up all snug in their beds,

While visions of doggie treats danced in their heads.

Max in his collar, on somebody's lap,

Had tucked in his tail for a midwinter's nap.

 

When outside the room there arose such a clatter,

My ears perked right up to hear what was the matter.

Away to the window I jumped up with glee,

And barked at the shadows that were cast by a tree.

The doozle Christmas poem

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the inn

Not a pup was stirring, not even Finnegan

The stockings were hung at the front desk with care

Looked after by Zeus and Penny and Bear

 

The Labs were all nestled snug in their beds

Rocco and Zane even shared one with Zed

With Sugar in her sweater and Buddy his cap

They had all settled in for a long High Tail nap

 

When out on Revere there arose such a clatter

 

Zoe and Carter rose to see what was the matter

Away to the window Marco ran like a flash

While Chili and Caiman pulled open the sash

A Kipling poem

I wish someone had given Jesus a dog

As loyal and loving as mine

To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes

And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog

Would have followed Him all through the day

While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well

And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away

To face death alone and apart

With no tender dog following close behind

To comfort its Master's Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn

How happy He would have been

As His dog kissed His hands and barked its delight

For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine

the old pal so dear to me

And I smile through my tears on this first day alone

Knowing they're in eternity. Day after day, the whole day through

Wherever my road inclined

Four feet said, „I am coming with you!“

And trotted along behind.

 

(Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936))

A dog's last will and testament

Not far away

There’s a land that isn’t far away

I go there every night

Where I see you in my dreams

And once more I hold you tight

Yet when the dawn arrives

And you’re not by my side

Once more my heart is breaking

With the ache I feel inside

For when I had you by my side

You were the meaning to each day

And life has never been the same

Ever since you went away

 

(Author unknown)

The answer

Ages ago, a heartfelt prayer

Arose from a man in deep despair,

"Oh God, he pleaded, hear my cry,

A weak and selfish sinner am I.

Deserted alike by friend and foe,

No way to turn, no place to go.

Though I deserve such misery,

Oh God, restore some hope to me".

The Father heard, His need is great,

For such poor mortals I'll create

A loyal friend who'll stay close by

To love, to share, to live and die.

His willing slave who'll ask no more

Than just to worship and adore.

A friend who'll never criticize,

Will never question or advise

Who cannot speak or lift a hand

To help but will just understand.

And so it came to pass at morn

An answered prayer.

 

The dog was born.

 

(Author unknown)

Don’t cry for me when I’m gone

Three score and ten are given to man,

But ours is a much briefer span.

So, though I give you all my heart,

The time will come when we must part.

But all around you, you will see,

Creatures that speak to you of me;

A tired horse, a hunted thing,

A sparrow with a broken wing ...

Pity - and help (I know you will)

And somehow, I will be with you still;

And I shall know, although I'm gone,

The love I gave you lingers on.

 

(Author unknown)

Those who love

It's always those who love the most

Who most miss the one they love,

When comes the parting of the ways,

And clouds loom dark above;

But tears will pass, your skies will clear

Then will you smile again,

And comfort find in memories,

Which now bring bitter pain.

 

(Author unknown)

The unseen agony

Lost and wandering all alone,

At last brought here to find a home

A human leaves and says 'so long'

I'd no idea something was wrong.

 

No food or water comes my way,

Although I wait here day by day.

My stomach hurts, my tongue is dry,

Still no one comes - I don't know why.

 

A kindly word, a pat or stroke,

Just anything would give me hope.

My lovely eyes were once so bright,

They're clouding now as pain I fight.

 

My legs give way as all strength goes,

The agony just grows and grows.

I lie here now weak and alone,

I guess I'll never find a home.

 

My eyes are now dimming and finally close,

And no one either cares or knows.

I'm just a poor Greyhound alone and in pain,

This must not be allowed to happen again.

 

(Jean Bowler, Reading, England)

 

***** 

This poem is based on a true story about Major, a lovely Greyhound who died aged just 3 years, and happened in 2007. I found this following newspaper article (his picture is at the bottom of the page; may he rest in peace now): 

COPS LEFT LOST DOG TO DIE ... AT A POLICE STATION

Stray alone for 10 days 

A GREYHOUND died of thirst after police dumped it in a tiny kennel at their station, then forgot about it for TEN days.

The stray's remains were only found when officers complained about the smell.

The dog died in agony. As greyhounds rarely bark, no one was alerted to the animal's suffering. 

Yesterday, police and animal welfare inspectors announced inquiries into the animal's needless death.

Police dog handlers were furious about the animal's appalling treatment. Police said it was a "tragic situation".

They confirmed that officers may be disciplined over the dog's death.

The brindle greyhound had been picked up as a stray and taken to Dalkeith police station in Midlothian on January 2.

The Record understands the dog's arrival was logged at the front desk.

The animal was then placed in a holding kennel at the back.

The officer who accepted the dog is not normally based at the station and it received no further attention.

A source said: "Normally, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would have been contacted immediately and the dog would have gone to them within 24 hours.

"For some reason this did not happen and everyone just forgot about it, with horrific consequences."

 

The dog endured its lonely ordeal just yards from the station's busy car park.

It is not known how long it took to die.

Its fate was only discovered when other officers became aware of a horrible smell around the kennel, beside petrol pumps in a courtyard, on January 12.

The dog is likely to have died from dehydration. Although under-nourished when it was brought in, there is no evidence it was ill.

Inquiries have been hampered as the officers who found the decomposing body immediately got rid of it.

Our source said: "It simply appears that they did not think through the implications."

Officers at the station say the incident has caused huge anger in the force. One said: "The kennel it was left in is little more than a cupboard. As you would expect, our dog handlers are particularly furious." 

Greyhound lovers were also outraged. They said there was little doubt the animal would have been an ex-racing dog.

David Melville, of the Greyhound Awareness League, said: "This is quite horrific. We can only hope that lessons are learned.

Melville said the lack of noise from the kennel was "absolutely typical", adding: "A greyhound is no use as a watchdog as they very seldom bark. They are trusting dogs."

Source