Sam
May 23, 1986 - April 7, 1998

Lend Me a Pup

 

I will lend to you for awhile
a puppy, God said
For you to love while he lives
and to mourn for him when he is gone.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe for two or three
But will you, till I call him back,
take care of him for Me?

 

He'll bring his charms to gladden you
and should his stay be brief
you'll always have his memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise that he will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.

 

I've looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life's land
I have chosen you
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labour vain
Nor hate me when I come to take My pup back again?

 

I fancied that I heard them say
"Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done,"
For all the joys this pup will bring,
the risk of grief you'll run.
Will you shelter him with tenderness
Will you love him while you may
And for the happiness you'll know forever grateful stay.

 

But should I call him back
much sooner than you've planned
Please brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.
If, by your love, you've managed
My wishes to achieve,
In memory of him that you've loved,
cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,
and know he loved you too.

 

-- Author Unknown

 

Jennie

December 21, 1985 - March 4, 2001

 

I Only Wanted You

 

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

 

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
you never would have died.

 

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

 

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

 

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

 

-- Author Unknown

  Clyde                  Bonnie
1972-1985            1972-1989

 

They will not go quietly,
the pets who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.

 

Old habits still can make us
think we hear them at the door
or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.

 

Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.

 

And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them...and always will.

 

-- Author Unknown

 

Good-Bye 

With heavy hearts, and a tear in our eyes 
After all these years, we must say goodbye. 
Please understand, we've done all we could 
If there was anything we could do, you know we would. 

I'm sitting right here, gently rubbing your ears 
While I talk to you softly, trying to hold back the tears 
The memories you gave us, we'll never forget 
Especially the ones of the day we all met. 

One last hug and one last kiss 
You have no idea how much you'll be missed. 
To look into your eyes this one last time 
You tell me it's okay, you know it's your time. 

Close your eyes now and go to sleep 
We'll pray to the Lord your soul he'll keep 
Go in peace now, our good friend 
We'll stay right here with you until the end. 

Dream of that special day and time 
When we'll meet at the Bridge and all will be fine 
We'll run and play, side by side 
With a soft warm feeling deep down inside. 

Your memory will live on in each one of us 
You'll always be number one to all of us 
Have a safe journey through the night 
I promise when you awake, you'll be in God's light. 

So with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes 
Just for now my friend, we say goodbye.

 

-- John Quealy 

Treasured Friend

I lost a treasured friend today 
The little dog who used to lay 
Her gentle head upon my knee 
And share her silent thoughts with me. 
She'll come no longer to my call 
Retrieve no more her favorite ball 
A voice far greater than my own 
Has called her to His golden throne.

Although my eyes are filled with tears 
I thank Him for the happy years 
He let her spend down here with me 
And for her love and loyalty. 
When it is time for me to go 
And join her there, this much I know 
I shall not fear the transient dark 
For she will greet me with her bark.

-- Author Unknown

Heaven's Doggy Door

My best friend closed his eyes last night, 
As his head was in my hand. 
The doctors said he was in pain, 
And it was hard for him to stand. 
The thoughts that scurried through my head, 
As I cradled him in my arms. 
Were of his younger, puppy years, 
And Oh ... his many charms. 
Today, there was no gentle nudge 
With an intense "I love you gaze", 
Only a heart that's filled with tears 
Remembering our joy-filled days. 
But an Angel just appeared to me, 
And he said, "You should cry no more, 
God also loves our canine friends, 
He's installed a 'doggy-door'!" 

-- Mary Ellen Arthur, 1997

Don't Grieve Too Long

Don't grieve too long for now I'm free 
I've followed the path God set for me. 
I ran to Him when I heard His call 
I swished 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. 
Please fill it with remembered joy. 
A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss 
Oh yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow 
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. 
My life's been full, you've given so much 
Your time, your love and gentle touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief 
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. 
Lift up your head and share with me 
God wanted me, He set me free!

-- Author Unknown- 

Marbles 

I got to the gate of heaven yesterday after we said goodbye.
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.

The angel said I could stay right here and wait for you to come
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven if I went in alone.

So I'll wait here. You take your time, but keep me in your heart.
Because heaven just wouldn't be heaven without you to warm my heart.

 

-- Author Unknown 

Little Dog Angel 

High up in the courts of heaven today
The little dog angel waits.
With the other angels he will not play,
But he sits alone at the gates.
For I know my master will come, says he,
And when he comes he will call for me.

And his master, far in the world below,
As he sits in his easy chair,
Forgets himself and whistles low
For the dog that is not there.
And the little dog angel cocks his ears
And dreams that his master's voice he hears.

And I know, someday, when his master waits
Outside in the dark and cold,
For the hand of death to open the gates
That lead to those courts of gold,
The little dog angel's eager bark
Will comfort his soul while he's still in the dark.

 

-- Norah M. Holland, circa 1870

Guardian Angel

I stood 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 every day. 
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

Request from Rainbow Bridge

 

Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.

 

I am at peace, my soul's at rest

There is no need for tears.
There is no pain, I suffer not. 

The fear now all is gone.

 

Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.

 

Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.

-- Constance Jenkins, 1992

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 every sort of animal, 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 it's 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 that no eye can ever see.

 

So whenever you need to find me we're never far apart 
if you look beyond the rainbow and listen with your heart.

 

-- Cathy Guyan

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