Sweet Columbine

"Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent, the eager body quivers. Suddenly they begin to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, their legs carrying them faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together......."

I AM YOUR DOG

Author Unknown

I am your dog, and I have a little something I would like to whisper in your
Ear.

I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work. Some have
Children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there,
Often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See, the way my
Dark brown eyes look at yours. They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with
Age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.

You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you
See a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A
Spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrongdoing for just a
Simple moment of your time?

That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be ; with me.

So many times, you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen,
Of other of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly,
Sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes,
We age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until
The very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded
Eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long
Sleep, to run free in a distant land.

I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your
Eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be
Angry at yourself that you did not have just "One more day" with me. Because
I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have NOW,
Together.

So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes.
What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I,
Heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or
Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep
Into another's eyes, and talk.

I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may
Tell you something profound about myself or even life in general. You
Decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such
Things with.

Someone very different from you, and here I am.

I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I
Can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you
As a "Dog on two feet"- I know what you are. You are human, in all of your
Quirkiness, and I love you still.

Now, come sit with me on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down
If only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper to my ears.
Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self.

We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short.

--Love, (on behalf of canines everywhere)
Author Unknown

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of
Compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their
Fellow men." ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Walk With An Old Dog

Because you will not be forever,
Hope against time though I may,
Paint your picture in my memory,
Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray.

Because you walked with me in Springtime,
Puppy-clumsy, running free.
As you grew, we grew together--
You became a part of me.

Because I shared with you my sorrows,
Not understanding-- simply there.
Often spurring me to laughter--
My friend, you know how much I care.

Because the years have slowed your fleetness,
Though your spirit still is strong.
I promise I will take more time now,
So that you can go along.

Because you do not fear the future,
Living only in the now,
I draw strength from your example--
Yet time keeps slipping by somehow.

Because the day will soon be coming
When I will no longer see
You rise to greet me - but in memory
You will always walk with me.

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 everyday.
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

I AM NOT THERE

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

You have become ....
You have become the wind,

that plays in my hair,
You have become the water
that washes away my pain.

You have become the sun,

that takes away my tears,

you have become the shadow,

who gives me the power to fight with all my fears

Now, you are in heaven,

sleeping your endless sleep,

living your prettiest dreams

on a cloud, so soft and so deep ....

By Sanja Temnik

"The secret of a rainbow is that riches are not found
at the end, but all along the way." ....Unknown

When I'm gone, release me, let me go.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears.
You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.
Grieve for me a while,
if you grieve you must then let your grief be comforted by trust.
And then when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a lick and bark, "Welcome Home."

-Author Unknown

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