Here are some touching poems about losing your beloved pet.

Where possible, I've added the credits. If I've misused or misquoted

anyone, please let me know.

In Memory of Zoey…

I know that it must be different

Now that I am no longer here

I realize how much I was loved

And how all of you did care.

I know it will be hard at first

When you look around for me

Expecting to find me in my bed

Or beside my favourite tree.

Someday you will begin to see

Although it’ll take some time

The happy times you shared with me

The memories are yours and mine.

I’ll remember you, my family

And how much you meant to me

So please don’t grieve and don’t be sad

It was just my time to leave.

WELCOME AT RAINBOW BRIDGE

By Alexander Theodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year resident.

On the morning of September 11th 2001, there was an unprecendented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge.  Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly. And they were.

An issue not often addressed here is the fact that many residents really have no loved ones for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No-one on Earth loved or protected them. What about the many who spent unhappy lives tied up in backyards ? And, the ones who were abused. Who are they to wait for ?

We don’t talk about it that much up here. We share our loved ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.

Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment. An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment could be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4000 loving people had left Earth long before they were ready. All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans’ pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there was a clamouring among them-“May I have one to comfort” ?

“I’ll take two, I have a big heart”. “I have been saving kisses forever”.

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, “Are there any children coming ? I would be very comforting for a child ‘cause I’m soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged”.

A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to meet the firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to greet the police officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best-cuddle and kiss.

Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head stepped forward and said, “I will love any human who needs love”.

Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share-each tail wagging an American flag.

Enjoy the little things for one day you might look back and realise they were the big things.-Robert Breault.

Remember me with joy and laughter

For that’s how I remember you all

If you only remember me with tears

Then don't remember me at all

Don’t Cry, Mommy.

Don’t cry Mommy

I’m okay !

The angels came

I couldn’t stay.

God brought me home

He loves me too

He said that I can

Watch over you.

I know you love me

I love you too

That’s why I’ll do

My best for you.

That’s my new job

To wait for you

Until you come

Here’s what I’ll do:

I’ll run and romp

And play with glee

(I’ll lift my leg

when I have to pee) !

But most of all

I’ll guard you well

I’m up here watching

Can't you tell ?

Think of me

I’ll hear your voice

And know you made

The perfect choice.

You saved me once

I’ll not forget

You took care of me

But better yet…

You Loved Me.

Jill.P.Schlarb..19/6/01

Lord, teach me to laugh again

But never let me forget that I cried.

Your love knows no bounds. God blessed us with you for 11 beautiful years. I know you are over the Rainbow Bridge preparing a place for all those dear to you. That is the way you are. We will remember you always and look forward to our grand reunion in God's kingdom. wear your wings proudly, my love.

I am certain that if Doggie Heaven exists our little pal is there, ridding Paradise of vacuum cleaners and playfully running off with dirty socks.

Goodbye, little girl. You were as good a friend as we could  ever have asked for.

Joel and Annie Genung.

SECOND DOG

Sometimes I look for traits in you

Of a little dog you never knew

A dog that loved me all his days

And understood in special ways.

But that’s not fair to you, you elf

You’re not a substitute, but yourself

You’ve eased the loss and soothed the pain

And tugged my laughter home again.

Yet, puppy, at times I almost start

When your eyes recall him to my heart

You’ll never lack for love, that’s clear

Because of him you’re twice as dear.

Author-Lee Avery.

Dogs Have Souls, Do They ?-Ronald J Gollonik-Land of Midnight.

I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddley with your tiny paws and soft fur. You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping. Once in a while, you’d let out a little yelp just to let me know that this was your territory. Making a mess of the house and chewing everything in sight became a passion and when I scolded you, you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes as if to say “I’m sorry, but I’ll do it again as soon as you’re not watching”.

When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging just to say “Welcome home. I missed you”. You never had a bad day and I could always count on you to be there for me.

When I sat down to read the paper or watch TV, you would hop on my lap looking for attention. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.

As you got older you moved around more slowly. Then one day, old age finally took its toll, and you couldn’t stand on those wobbley legs anymore. I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again….you just looked up at me as if to say you were old and tired and that after all those years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me one last favour.

With tears in my eyes I drove you one last time to the vet. One last time you were lying next to me.

For some strange reasion you were able to stand up in the animal hospital-perhaps it was your sense of pride.

As the vet led you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say “Thankyou for taking care of me”.

I thought “No-thank YOU for taking care of ME”.

Dear God,

Our little dog Tramp is coming home today.

Please watch for him and let him in.

Keep him close to you so that he will not miss us too much.

But when it snows, let him run, he loves the cold.

When night comes, please let him sleep on your bed.

He will like that and we will say

Amen.

If It Should Be

If it should be that I grow weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep

Then you must do what must be done

For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad I understand

Don’t let your grief then stay your hand

For this day more than all the rest

Your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years

What is to come can hold no fears

You’d not want me to suffer so

The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my need they’ll tend

And please stay with me until the end

I know in time that you will see

The kindness that you did for me

Although my tail its last has waved

From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Please do not grieve, it must be you

Who had this painful thing to do

We’ve been so close, we two, these years,

Don’t let your heart hold back its tears

May I Go ?

May I go now ?

Do you think the time is right ?

May I say goodbye to painfilled days

And endless lonely nights.

I’ve lived my life and done my best

An example tried to be

So can I take that step beyond

And set my spirit free ?

I didn’t want to go at first

I fought with all my might

But something seems to draw me now

To a warm and living light.

I want to go, I really do

It’s difficult to stay

But I will try as best I can

To live just one more day

To give you time to care for me

And share your love and fears

I know you’re sad and afraid

Because I see your tears.

I’ll not be far, I promise that

And I hope you’ll always know

That my spirit will be close to you

Wherever you may go.

Thankyou so for loving me

You know I love you too

That’s why it’s hard to say goodbye

And end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time

And let me hear you say

Because you care so much for me

You’ll let me go today.

Susan A.Jackson

GOD KNEW

God knew that you were suffering

That the hills were hard to climb

So he gently closed your eyelids

And whispered “Peace be thine”

In tears we watched you sinking

We watched you fade away

Our hearts were surely broken

You fought so hard to stay.

But when we saw you sleeping

So peaceful, free from pain

We could not wish you back

To suffer that again

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you did not go alone

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

Poem for Zoey
It's hard to believe it's been a
year
the memories of you are still so
dear.

I think about you often and
remember you well.
I often wonder why you were taken
from me, I guess that is something
I'll never know.

You are in heaven running free and
I wonder if you miss me too.
I miss you alot and think of you
often
I'm so glad you were part of my
life.

I remember that day so well,
as you lay in the chair as I left
for work.
The kids at school were looking
forward to Friday
for a picture they wanted taken in
their DARE shirts with you.

I wonder if I
would have petted you longer,
held you tighter,
would it have a difference if I
knew how that day would be?

I remember all the times we had,
but most of all how tiny you were
when I first laid eyes on you.

You were the cutest Westie I ever
did see
and I fell in love in an instant,
my heart was yours forever.

All the friends we made along the
way as you grew into a beautiful
girl with style and personality
plus.

The obedience classes you passed
with flair,
your AKC Canine Good Citizen,
Jake and Ben, your friends and
classmates through it all.
I remember it so well.

The Terrier Club, all our good
friends there,
you knew them and enjoyed the time
you spent there
They were there when you left me
and remain ever so dear.

I figure you are running around
with no boundaries to hold you.
Mom sent you to me and found you so
dear that she wanted you in heaven
to be with her there.

I had you for a short time, it just
wasn't long enough
just long enough for the memories
to be there for many a year.

Enjoy your time at the Rainbow 

Bridge with all your friends there. 
You sent me a beautiful pup named
Kelsey to help ease the pain here.
I'll love you foever and keep you
close in my heart,
till we meet one day at the bridge
over there.

In Memory of Zoey

July 30,1999 to May 15,2001 

A SPECIAL PLACE
Author Unknown
You have a special place, Dear Lord
that I know you always keep.
A special place reserved for dogs,
to peacefully fall asleep.
A place with fluffy pillows,
and a yard for hiding bones.
With maybe a little babbling creek,
that rushes over stones.
With wide green fields and flowers,
for those who never knew,
of running, playing freely,
under a sky of perfect blue.
Lord, I know you keep this special place,
and so to you I pray,
for one oh so special dog,
who came to you today.
He was full of strength and love,
and so very, very wise.
The puppy look he once had,
this morning left his eyes.
He will be dearly missed, Dear Lord,
This special love of mine.
But, now he'll romp and play,
in your land that's so divine.
Speak to my baby softly, please
with a hug and a warm hello.
He's a special gift to you, dear Lord,
from me-who loved him so.