Before 2003	2003	2004	2005	Rescue

The following poem is my personal favorite, for anyone who ever hears the pitter patter of little paws no longer there...

Solace

From the silence of your pain I heard my name
and on the wings of light I have come
to see the sadness in your eyes
that cry without tears
Can you see me, I am here
I will always be near you
to calm your shattered heart
and to make you smile at the memories
Do you feel me, perhaps a soft brush of fur
You ache to believe it's real
but you are afraid to hope
You brush away a strand of hair
But it was I, whispering.....
I am only here for but a moment
The silver thread gently quivers
I will leave behind my love in a dream
When you awaken, and without really knowing why
Your heart will know at last
That it is all right, for now
to say good-bye

Copyright © Lisa Carmel Singer re-printed with permission

I saw the Bridge

A true experience as posted by Sharry Daniels

We had to have Pismo put to sleep on Nov. 6, 1993. He was an 18 year old, 6 pound yorkie. Most of Pizzy's life I was sick and confined to the house. He stayed with me every min. of every day. On days when life didn't seem worth living his unconditional love for me kept me alive. I know he was a gift from God. Without that funny little mutt I wouldn't be here today.

By the time I got better Pizzy was old and sick. Now it was my turn to stay with him. I should have let him go before I did, but I couldn't. He was so much a part of me, that having him put to sleep was almost like committing suicide. BUT I DID IT!!! It was horrible. I can't even think about it. Pizzy was gone and I never had my heart hurt so bad. I didn't know where to go or what to do. Everything reminded me of him. For 2 days my husband and I sat in shopping centers and in the car in shopping center parking lots and cried and cried and cried. All I could think of is where do dogs go? Is there a place for animals or is my Pizzy in that cold ground in our yard? Whose taking care of him? Where is he? Where's my Pizzy?

On Nov. 8, two days after he had died, my husband and I were sitting in the car in the Hill's Shopping Center parking lot. It was four o'clock in the afternoon. The sky was bright blue without a cloud anywhere. It had not rained all day and again there was not even a cloud in the sky. We were facing west , looking toward the setting sun. I was sobbing and sobbing and screaming, "Please, God, please. Tell me where Pizzy is. Please, God, tell me! Where is my Pizzy! Where is he!!! All of a sudden my husband said, "Look Sharry, Look!!!! He was pointing to the sky and when I looked up I saw a perfect RAINBOW in that cloudless blue sky right next to the setting sun. At the time I didn't know about the rainbow bridge, but at that moment I did know that God in His kindness was telling me that my Pizzy was somewhere over the rainbow and that he was okay.

About 5 months later my friend called me. She was all excited and told me to read the article in Dear Abby. I read it and just couldn't believe it. I read about the meadow and the RAINBOW and my sick dog wasn't sick anymore and he had water and food and he was playing and best of all I WOULD SEE HIM AGAIN. I am a skeptic and if I had just seen the article, I would have had doubts, but I SAW THE RAINBOW BRIDGE. I know it's real.

Up until last week I thought my husband and I were the only ones who believed the meadow and the bridge really exist and take comfort in its existence. Then I accidentally stumbled onto this bulletin board. I was and am still amazed, but so grateful that we share this hope with so many others. I never write on BB, and I wasn't going to this time either, because it's so hard for me to put my feelings into words. But I really feel that God would want me to share this with you guys in case there's someone out there who is a skeptic and needs a little extra bit of proof that God does have a special place for your pet to be cared for until you go to pick him up and cross the bridge together, never again to be separated.

All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; 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 each 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. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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...
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 wonderous 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 that 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.

"Beyond The Rainbow" Copyrighted © 1995 by Cate Guyan.
All rights reserved. Reprinted with her permission.

A POEM FOR THE GRIEVING... 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 stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die...-Anonymous