The Rainbow Bridge
(author unknown)
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the
Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge
there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is
always food, water and warm spring weather. The old and the frail animals are
young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day
together.
There is only thing missing. They are not with their special
person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day
come when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches! The ears
are up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group!
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet,
you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and
again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be
separated.
A Dog's Prayer
by Beth Norman Harris
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the
world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick
your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly
teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music,
as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon
my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a
domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater
glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had
you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the
softest pillow in the warmest home in the land, for you are my god and I am
your devoted worshipper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not
reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean
food so that I may stay well to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by
your side, and stand ready willing and able to protect you with my life should
your life be in danger.
And beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive
me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently
in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and
I will leave you knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was ever safest
in your hands.
I Am Famous Now
(author unknown)
I was born today. One of 10. My daddy was very famous. I have
lots of half brothers and sisters. My mother is very famous. Since she got
famous, she has only had puppies. No more loving hands, no more fun
trips...just puppies. She is always sad when they leave her.
I left home today. I didn't want to go, so I hid behind my mama
and my three littermates that were left. I didn't like you. But one day they
said I would be famous. I wonder—is famous the same as fun and good times?
So you picked me up and carried me away, even though you were concerned about
me hiding from you. I don't think you liked me.
My new home is far away. I am scared and afraid. My heart says
be brave. My ancestors were. Did they go to good homes like mine? I'm
hungry because I can't eat too much because it will be bad for my bones. I
can't bite or snap when the children are mean to me. I just run and play and
pretend I am in a big green field with butterflies and robins and frogs. I
can't understand why they kick me. I am quiet, but the man hits and says loud
things. The lady doesn't feed me good things like I had with my mother. She
just throws dry food on the ground, then goes away before I can get too close
for touching and petting.
Sometimes my food smells bad, but I eat it anyway.
Today I had 10 puppies. They are so wonderful and warm. Am I
famous now? I wish I could play with them, but they are so tiny. I am so young
and playful that it is hard to lay here in this hole under the house nursing my
puppies. They are crying now. I am so hungry. I scratch and worry my fur. I
wish someone would throw me some food. I am also very thirsty. I now have
eight. Two got cold during the night and I couldn't make them warm again. They
are gone. We are all very weak. Maybe if I take them out on the porch, we can
get some food.
Today they took us away. It was too much trouble to feed us and
someone came to take us away. Someone grabbed my puppies; they were crying and
whimpering. We were put in a truck with boxes in it. Are my babies famous now?
I hope so, because I miss them. They are gone.
The place smelled of urine, fear, and sickness. Why was I here?
I was beautiful, like my ancestors. Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain, and
unwanted. Maybe the worst is unwanted. No one came though I tried to be
good.
Today someone came. They put a rope on my neck and led me to a
room that was very clean and had a shiny table. They put me on the table.
Someone held me and hugged me. It felt so good!!! Then I felt tired and lay
over the last one who cared. I am famous now. Today someone cared.
A Dog Sits Waiting
by Kathy Flood
A dog sits waiting in
the cold autumn sun,
Too faithful to leave, too frightened to run.
He's
been here for days now with nothing to do
But sit by the road, waiting for
you.
He can't understand why you left him that day.
He thought you and
he were stopping to play.
He's sure you'll come back, and that's why he
stays.
How long will he suffer? How many more days?
His legs have
grown weak, his throat's parched and dry.
He's sick now with hunger and
falls, with a sigh.
He lays down his head and closes his eyes.
I wish
you could see how a waiting dog dies.
Humility
The Gates of Heaven were guarded by St. Peter. Four canine
friends approached and stood waiting for permission to enter. They were asked
for an account of themselves.
The poodle was first and, leaping forward proudly, he said, "I
am the showman, winning many prizes for my beauty. See how fine I am? There was
none better than I in my prime. I was my master's pride and joy." He
demonstrated his fine show stance.
Next, the Labrador, black and glossy: "I am the Field Champion,
keen for the gun, never missing a bird. I worked hard for my master."
Then the German Shepherd, keen and alert. "I guarded my masters,
keeping them safe. No strange foot trod the paths without my permission. They
feared not with me around."
"And you sir," said St Peter, "come forward to me. What of you?"
The dog replied, "I am a Beagle—maybe not so good, I confess. I pursued
the cat, fell to temptation, and stole food. I forgot to return to my masters'
call, leaving them to worry, then showed my disapproval at being left alone by
chewing their shoes. Oh, and there was also my bad habit of barking at the
garbage collectors...."
"But what did you give them?" asked St. Peter.
"What did I give them? I gave them light in their eyes and
laughter in their voices."
St. Peter opened the gates and waved the Beagle through.
A Puppy's Farewell
by Nancy Walton
Where do the silken
puppies go
Whose lives, before us,
Fade away?
Why are they taken
from us,
Robbed of puppy romp
And puppy play?
Perhaps they
might go to the same place
As babes who died in their mothers' arms
There they could lick those cherubs' cheeks
And lavish all their puppy
charms.
A place they could run through fields of clover
And
daisies and poppies and heather,
A place they could throw back their
heads
And joyfully dance together.
And when the moon would come up
at night
With baby's breath, they'd make a nest,
Angels and puppies
would snuggle up tight
And smile sweet smiles
In peaceful rest.
This is the song of a saddened heart,
A love-tune, a last good-bye
To a puppy that never licked a face
To an emptiness I feel inside
To a
part of me that holds him close
Even though he died.
Creation, According to the Beagle On the first
day of creation, God created the beagle.
On the second day, God created man
to serve the beagle.
On the third day, God created all the animals of the
earth to serve as potential food for the beagle.
On the fourth day, God
created honest toil so that man could labor for the good of the beagle.
On
the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the beagle might or might
not retrieve it.
On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep
the beagle healthy and the man broke.
On the seventh day, God tried to
rest, but He had to walk the beagle.
On the Death of a Dog
by Terrence McNally
Death is nothing
at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever we were
to each other—that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Life means all that it ever
meant.
Why should I be out of mind only because I am out of sight?
I am
waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near—just around the
corner.
All is well.
(dedicated by the Webmaster to the memory of Casey
Michael Gooddog, 1988-2003)
Now dry your tears and check out
our beagle jokes.
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