Norma

And on a lighter note:

TO GOD: from the dogs

Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell
one another?

Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it
still the same old story?

Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the
mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for
a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice
ride! Would it be so hard to rename the "Chrysler Eagle" the Chrysler
Beagle"?

Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears
him, is he still a bad dog?

Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand
signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's,
electromagnetic
energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to
apologize?

Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must
remember in order to be a good dog;

1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they
throw
it up.

2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I
like the way they smell.

3. The diaper pail is not a cookie jar.

4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.

5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff

6. My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

7. I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mom's
driver's license and registration.

8. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the
toilet.

9. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of
saying "hello".

10. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the
coffee
table.

11. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house
- not after.

12. I will not throw up in the car.

13. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.

14. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch
when we have company.

15. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he
makes
that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

And, finally, my last question...

Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?

Michelle

I enjoyed the Dog's letter to God....

My best to you..
T.

The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

Old Dogs Do Not Die

We have a secret, you and I,
That no one else shall know,
For who but I can see you lie
Each night in the fireglow?
And who but I can reach my hand
Before we go to bed,
And feel the living warmth of you
And touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths,
And see you ahead of me,
Your small form racing with the wind,
So young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
In every brook I pass...
And when I call, no one but I
Can see the bending grass.

Author Unknown

Jain, I am sorry you had that sorrow recently too. I like the concept of death you related. I remembered how you always planted a tree or something for all your pets. Keebler now has a small memoral garden.

Sue and Eden , thanks for adding your poems.

Bob and I just read the book "Marly and Me " a month or so ago. A good read about a dog and his owner , but I dreaded reading the end.
I can't imagine my life without animals. Thankfully we still have Rebel and Jasmine.

The "baby pictures" were wonderful, and he was a lucky dog to be received into such a loving home for 14 years.

Your photography is absolutely gorgeous. I feel like I know his soul just by looking at his picture.

Saucy

Deanne

I especially love the pics of Keebler with the grandchildren - it's so obvious that they loved him and he them. The pic of your grandson looking into Keeblers eyes and Keebler looking into his says it all about wonderful Keebler. I know it's not much comfort now, but Keebler really was a lucky dog and I can see in his eyes that he knew it too! He had a good life! :-)

I loved the letter to God too...that was so cute! And the beautiful tributes from Eden & Sue. So I hope you don't mind but I want to leave you with just a few of my favorites too:

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. LOL, I have to remind myself of that *all* the time! :-)

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

We wonder why the dogs always drink out of our toilets, but look at it from their point of view: why do humans keep peeing into their water bowls?

EPITAPH TO A DOG
Near this spot are deposited the remains
of one who possessed Beauty
without Vanity,
Strength
without Insolence,

Courage
without Ferocity,

And all the Virtues of Man
Without his Vices.

This Praise,which would be unmeaning flattery if inscribed over Human Ashes,
but is just a tribute to the Memory of "Boatswain," a Dog
who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803, And died at Newstead Abbey Nov. 18, 1808.
- Lord Byron -

Norma, I wish there were something I could say to make you feel better (though I know at the moment there is not). It's so hard losing our loving companions. And so sorry to hear about your loss too Jain. It's been eight years since I lost Spike and almost 10 years since I lost Willie and though of course life goes on, still, every time I think of them, I wish I could have them back here with me. It's kind of weird cause the love and the grief is so real, but you think a lot of people wouldn't understand, would think "it's a dog". But, luckily, we have this place and these people to talk to, right Norma?

Shannon is playing in my head...

Ei

He is waiting, with my Boomer and all the other beloved pets, for you at The Rainbow Bridge. So sorry for your loss. Until you meet again, I hope you enjoy the link below, and take some small comfort from it as I did...

Taryn

Keebler definitely had some Golden in him. Isn't it wonderful when a happy accident occurs, we find a pet maybe when we aren't even looking for one, or it finds us, and they turn out to be such a nice one?

Ei, that was a great poem, it really struck a nerve with me. I am going to save it, and you also reminded me of my dog Ginger, who was a very special pet for us. She was a dog like no other. She has been gone 8 years, and we all still miss her, and share Ginger stories, eventhough Max and Maggie are good in their own way.

jain! so nice to "see" you. Sorry about your guy too. I miss your posts and wonder how your garden is going.

I am working on a post for the regular idyll.

D.

--Cindy

Taryn, I have read The Rainbow Bridge before, but never saw it illustrated and with music. It was very touching.

Saucy, he never liked having the camera pointing at him so I always had to catch him off guard. I think Sue has that problem with her dogs too.

Deanne, this post wasn't meant to make anyone sad, just to share. But animal lovers that we are all just can't help shedding a tear or two.

Woody, I thought you had lost a dog recently too, but wasn't sure. I'm glad you have room in your heart for another one. I hope it works out.

Drema,Marian, Chelone and anyone else . Thanks for caring.

I think the other dogs are grieving a bit too. But life goes on. I think we will all go for a walk and enjoy the crisp fall day. Norma

In loving memory of:
Honey, Teddy, Sugar, Jaybo, Cody, Zelda, BJ, Cody, Snowflake, Fritz and Keebler.

By the way, Virginia was beautiful!

Love you,
Kelly