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...
if he wakes in Your arms
I can hardly see
through my tears...
today I sent my best friend of years and years
somewhere he had to go,
where pain and sickness he won't have to know.
He's been with me
ever since he was a pup...
today I've had to give him up.
He was sick, we both knew it
and I wouldn't put him through it.
Thinking back to
the day my wife brought him,
I told her then that I didn't want him...
"Noise and mess and bills to pay!" -
I can't believe I felt that way.
Didn't know that
in the end,
he would be my dearest friend.
Didn't know that he would be
the greatest gift that came to me.
How did one like
me deserve
a friend who wanted just to serve?
What was there that made him love me,
with nobody else above me?
When I looked into
his eyes,
never did he criticize,
never did he hold a grudge,
never did he try to judge.
Recently, an anxious
day.
"How come you don't want to play?"
Took him to the vet to see
what might be wrong with my "puppy".
Worse by far than
I expected,
fatal illness was detected.
Nothing much that we could do
but keep him comfy til he's through.
Back at home I tried
to tell him
of the bad luck that befell him.
All I could see in his eyes
was wondering why his master cries.
I don't think he
understood -
his eyes just asked "Wasn't I good?"
"How come now I make you sad?
Let me kiss and hug you, dad!"
Two last weeks I
had to try
to find a way to say good-bye.
In that time I told him more
than I ever had before,
Just how much I
loved my pup,
how it hurt to give him up.
How though gone, he'd always be
inside my heart, a part of me.
Then today was no
mistaking,
I made the decision, my heart was breaking.
I called and asked the vet to come by -
I didn't have to tell him why.
He arrived in awhile
and asked "Are you ready?"
I sighed, I nodded, I felt so unsteady.
Got down on the floor by my boy who was dying,
and I just didn't care if the vet saw me crying.
As my pup slipped
away, the last things he felt
were the kisses and hugs of his master who knelt
On that "blankie" beside him to bid him good-bye,
who had just one more minute to tell him, to try
to say thanks to
his boy for a lifetime of love....
"Dear God, let me see him in heaven above!
But for now Lord, please hold him, watch over his rest...
if he wakes in Your arms tell him I love him best."
By
R. A. S.
Heaven's
Doggy Door
My best friend closed
his eyes last night,
As his head was in my hand.
The doctors said he was in pain,
And it was hard for him to stand.
The thought that
scurried through my head,
As I cradled him in my arms.
Were of his younger, puppy years,
And Oh...his many charms.
Today, there was
no gentle nudge
With an intense "I love you gaze,"
Only a heart that's filled with tears
Remembering our joy-filled days.
But an Angel just
appeared to me,
And he said, You should cry no more,
God also loves our canine friends,
He's installed a doggy -door!
by
Jan Cooper
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Special
Friend
I lost a special
friend today
the kind you can't replace,
and looking at her empty bed
I still can see her face.
I see the endless
energy
the sparkling puppy eyes,
Not the tired, fragile friend
I had to bid good-bye.
I know she's in a
special place
our Lord has for such friends,
Where meadows, fields & flowers
help make them strong and whole again.
I remember how she'd
run to me
to play her favorite puppy game,
And how her ears would perk right up
When she heard me call her name.
But as those precious
years went by
And we both aged and grew,
I'd find her often slowing down
But-we had still so much to do.
Easter stands out
in my mind
As she would always find the eggs,
The kids would have their baskets full
And she'd be there to beg.
Then there was the
Christmas tree
with lots of candy canes,
As she devoured all she could
Surely, hoping it'd still look the same!
She did her guard
dog duty well
Each time the doorbell rang,
Strangers surely couldn't see
My gentle friend--behind those fangs.
I've noticed in the
recent times
Her ears were not as sharp,
Where is that running ball of fur
The years have shown their mark.
She started sleeping
next to me
Was this her special clue,
Because she felt the end was near
I only wish I knew.
My Candy was a special
dog
I know she gave her best,
But as I looked deep into her eyes
I knew it was time, for her to rest.
It will truly be
a struggle
I don't know how I'll face each day,
I have to let her go--I know
But in my heart she'll always stay.
This special place
our Lord has made
Health and strength, wait for her there,
So with my very special friend
I'm sending all my prayers.
I know she's watching
over me
She'll be with me when I cry,
So with one more kiss on her beloved head
I told my Candy Dog good-bye.
By
Christina L. Tronnes
for my beautiful Cocker Spaniel Candy.
If
It Should Be ...
If it should be I
grow frail and weak
And pain prevents my peaceful sleep,
Then you must do what must be done
When this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad,
I understand.
Selfishness might stay your hand.
But on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship take the test.
We've had so many
happy years
That what's to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer. So,
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my
needs they'll tend.
Only -- stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me.
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know, in time,
you, too, will see
It is a kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Do not grieve it
should be you
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years...
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
Author
Unknown
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From
a Grateful Dog
You're giving me
a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days,
Your courage makes me proud.
But really, love
is knowing
When your best friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.
So looking deep
into your eyes,
And beyond into your soul,
I see in you the magic that will
Once more make me whole.
The strength that
you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.
That strength is
why I've followed you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partner till the end.
Please, understand
just what this gift
You're giving, means to me.
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.
You take a stand
on my behalf,
For that is what friends do,
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it, too.
So one last time,
I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To grant me this appeal.
Cut the leash that
holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.
And don't despair
my passing
For I won't be far away;
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I'll stay.
I'll be there watching
over you,
Your ever-faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run,
... a young dog once again.
Author
Unknown
click
for a pdf of "from a Grateful Dog"
Remember
Our Love
I was chosen today
I'm learning to fly
the world took me away,
but please don't you cry
And I chose you today
to try and be strong
so please don't you cry
and don't say that I'm gone
When you're feeling
alone
just remember our love,
I'm up near the stars
looking down from above.
Remember our love
In a moment you'll see
that I'm still here beside you
when you're thinking of me.
Julie
Epp
Losing
Jake
There's a hole in
my heart where a dog used to be.
He's nuzzled my soul and is now part of me.
His pain is his life and I know what to do.
But when I release him, I'm losing me, too.
The puppy I cradled
three short years ago
is a ninety pound bundle of love and I know
that he'd lick away all of my tears if he could.
It's his sense of duty to make me feel good.
It's my obligation
to do what is best.
The love of his "master" is put to the test.
It's a wrenching and sorrowful way that we part;
it doesn't hurt less when the head rules the heart.
There's a hole in
my heart
where my Jake has passed through.
When we say good-bye
part of me will go too.
Amy
Waggoner
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