1. My Life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any seperation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you get
me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up for punishment. You have your work, enertainment and friends,
I only have you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even If I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.
6. Be aware of how ever you treat me I will never forget it.
7. Please don't hit me. I can't hit back but I can bite and scratch and I really don't want to do that.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps
I'm not getting the right foods or I have been out in the sun to long or my heart is getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys...Never say "I can't bear to watch" or " Let it happen in my absents" Everything
is easier for me if you are there.
Remember
I Love You.
Angels are everywhere
Some of you may know that our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month (8/23).
The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked
if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. She dictated and I wrote.
Dear God,
Will you please take care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is in heaven.
We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play
with her. She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick.. I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see
her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.
Love,
Meredith Clair
ps; Mommy wrote the words after Mer told them to her"
We put that in the envelope with 2 pictures of Abbey, and addressed it to God/Heaven.
We put our return address on it. Then Mer stuck some stamps on the front ( Because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps
to get a letter all the way to heaven). and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.
For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that
I thought he had.
Yesterday for Labor Day we took the kids to Austin to a natural history museeum.
When we got back, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold
star card on the front and said: " To Mer" in an unfamiliar hand.
Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers. When A Pet
Dies. Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope( Which was marked Return
to Sender. Insufficient address). On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith".
We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and the handwritten note on pink paper:
"Dear Mer,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly
in Heaven. Having the pictures you sent me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
You know Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me---just
like she stays in your heart---young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know. Since we don't need our
bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets, so I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures
so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps.
Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your Mother for sending it. What a
wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the
way, I am in heaven and wherever there is love.
Love,
God, and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words".
Anyone who has pets will love
this one
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company
come for a week end visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to
whatever struck his fancy.
Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary and Jim would go to Lucky's toy
box in the basement and there the treasure would be., amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds
in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer, Something told her she was going to die of this disease:
she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.
The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would
happen to Lucky? Althoughthe three year old dog liked Jim he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky
will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him.
The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death. The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her
doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but
the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived
home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch
and left her to nap.
Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called . It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame
her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head
and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She
was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip
after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his
love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further every night.
It's been 12 years now and Mary is cancer-free.
Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box, but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Live every day to the fullest. Remember it is a blessing from God.
The people who makjes the difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or
the most awards. They are the ones that care.
A Dog's Bill of Rights
1. I have the right to give and receive unconditional love.
2. I have the right to a life that is beyond mere survival.
3. I have the right to be trained so that I do not become the prisoner of my misbehavior.
4. I have the right to adequate food and medical care.
5. I have the right to fresh air and green grass.
6. I have the right to socialize with people and dogs outside my own family
7. I have the right to special time with my people.
8. I have the right to be bred responibly, if at all.
9. I have the right to be foolish and silly, and to make my person laugh.
10. I have the right to earn my person's trust and to be trusted in return.
11. I have the right to be forgiven.
12. I have the right to die with dignity.
13. I have the right to be remembered well.
If Dog's Were Teachers
If a dog were the teacher, you would learn stuff like; When loved ones come home, always run to
greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps. Strech before rising. Run, rump and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days stop to lie on your back in the grass.
On hot days drink plenty of water and lay under a shady tree.
When your happy, dance around and wag your intire body.
No matter how often you are scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and
make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something
your not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
And finally; never trust anyone until you sniff thier butt.
Rainbow
Bridge
"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 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 that had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and
strong again, just as we remembered them in our dreams of days 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 meet, you cling to each other 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 to be absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow
Bridge together......
