NZ Canine Info

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 of 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 who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

*Author Unknown*

HEAVEN'S DOGGIE 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 thoughts 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 thats 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"!
Author Unknown

DO NOT GRIEVE FOR ME

Do not grieve for me, my friend, as I am with my kind....

My collar is a rainbow's hue, my leash a shooting star.
My boundaries are the Milky Way, where I sparkle from afar...
There are no pens or kennels here, for I am not confined-
But free to roam God's Heavens among my special kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud with gentle breezes rocking me.
I dream the dreams of earthlings, and how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats, and tennis balls abound.
Milk bones line the walking ways just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up, the grass all lush and green-
and everyone who gaits around becomes the Best of Breed.
For we're all winners in this place, we have no faults you see.
God passes out the ribbons, to each one- even me!

At night I sleep in Angel's arms, their wings protecting me,
and moonbeams dance about us, as stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent and you reach Heaven's Gate,
have no fear of loneliness- for here you know I wait.
Author unknown

THE LAST BATTLE OR, IF IT SHOULD BE...

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 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.
Author Unknown

WITH SYMPATHY

They will not go quietly,
the pets who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.

Old habits still can make us
think we hear them at the door
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And,sometimes,coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them...
and always will.
Author unknown

WITH ANGELS THEY PLAY

They haven't really been taken away.
They have only gone with the Angels to play.
They have been given wings with which to fly.
All their troubles have passed them by.

Their life in heaven now must start.
But we'll hold their memory in our hearts.
Nothing about them will be forgotten.
But now they sleep on billowy clouds of cotton.
Author Unknown

MAY I GO?

May I go now? Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So I can 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 hope you'll always know
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.

Thank you 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

"I'll lend you for a while a gorgeous pup", God said,
"For you to love him while he lives, and mourn for when he's dead.
Maybe for ten or fourteen years or only two or three,
But will you 'till I call him back, take care of him for me.

He'll bring his charms to gladden you, should his stay be brief,
You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief,
I cannot promise he will stay, for all on earth return,
But there are lessons taught below, I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowd this Land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think this labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come, to take my puppy back again?"

I fancied that I heard you say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the love this pup will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness and love him while we may,
And from the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

But should you come to call him back much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve,
In,memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve."
Unknown

I have done mostly what most men do
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can't forget, if I wanted to,
Four feet trotting behind.

Day after day, the whole day through
Wherever my road inclined
Four feet said, I'm coming with you!
And trotted along behind

Now I must go by some other round
Which I shall never find
somewhere that does not carry the sound
Of four feet trotting behind.
Rudyard Kipling

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 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 ahead of me,
Your beauty racing with the wind.
So young again and free.

And only I can see you swim
In every stream I pass ...
And, when I call, no one but I
Can see the bending grass ...
Glenda Cheney

IN OUR HEARTS

We thought of you with love today
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday
and the days before that too.

We think of you in silence
We often speak your name .
Now all we have are memories
and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake
With which we'll never part.
God has you in his keeping
We have you in our heart.
Author Unknown

So this is where we part, my friend, and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind, new pleasures there you'll surely find.
I will go on, I'll find the strength, life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave, share one last look, before I grieve.
There are others, that much is true, but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought, will remember well all you've taught.
Your place I'll hold, you will be missed, the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest, take with you this,
I loved you best.