Thursday, May 18, 2006

For Vic, Chris, Beth, James & Mathew...and Louise



Back to back entries of loss and remembrance.  While catching up on e-mail messages I was saddened to learn my sister Chris and her family recently had to make that heart-wretching decision to ease the suffering of a four-legged family member.  Ruff was their crazy, loving black & white Spaniel who gave them fourteen years (if my memory serves me right) of furry nuzzles and endless affection.  For all my days I will remember the Easter of 1992 and watching him sliding across the hard wood floors of their home on those long black hairy puppy legs.  What a bundle of fur he was.  I know you all will deeply miss Ruff, but you gave him a truly wonderful life.  He was one great dog.


Just this side of heaven is a place called 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, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had 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 quivers.  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....

Author unknown...



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you Dona,

Rainbow Bridge...  What a great place for Ruff to meet up with Max.  They'll be able to play together again.  They're both buried side by side up on the hill on our property.  

Our home isn't the same without him.  Mathew was only 6 months old when we got him as a bouncy, very energetic puppy of 8 weeks.  He and Mathew grew up together sharing 14 1/2 years as a boy and his dog.  He begged us not to put him down until he saw what age does to a dog.  They too suffer strokes, seizures or whatever it was that immobilized him on that Tuesday afternoon.

We all miss him but we know he's no longer in pain and can once again hear a whistle.

Animals bring such joy to our lives, and then they bring heartbreak.

Ok, now I'm crying all over again.

Love ya!

Your sis,

Chris

Anonymous said...

Rainbow Bridge, sounds so wonderful.  Just know my Princess and Quintessa are there together enjoying theirselves and will be there for me with open paws one day. Very touching, thank you....Arlene