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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 have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; 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 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 begins to quiver. 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 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 the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from you life but never absent from your heart.
Then, you cross Rainbow Bridge together ...
(Author unknown. The story comes from ancient Norse tradition.)
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 Terra
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Someone said to me that they were angels who came into my life to teach me something and to learn some things. When the lesson was done they left. They left too early in my opinion but I guess I don't get to control the universe as much as I might try.
Terra, my 9 year old poodle, taught me that I did not have to be disabled. When I found myself with a condition that was so painful that I would need a wheel chair to keep up the frantic pace of my life and to maintain my independence, Terra taught me that a dog can pull a wheelchair and make a person independent. I had come home from a particularly frustrating and humiliating trip that required plane and terminal changes etc. I felt like my life was devastated and my power was gone. As I sat in the wheelchair, Terra's leash in my hand, she turned to me and almost in words, said "hang on, here we go!" She took off and started to pull me. We trained each other. That has made all the difference in my life. I have some altered abilities. I accomplish things a little differently, but I am not disabled. Thank you Terra. Later, at 9 years old Terra's prey drive was suddenly triggered and she ran a block to catch something she saw. She ran into the path of an oncoming car and was killed instantly. I have talked about this on the forum many times. And so in death, she has taught many of you to keep your dogs leashed and fenced, as a poodle is a prey driven animal and thus so are many doodles. So in her death, she is an angel to many of your dogs as by teaching you she has saved their lives. We will never know how many.
I know that Terra is a guardian angel for your dog and a teacher for you and me As much as I miss her, I am grateful that I had her for awhile.
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 Zeus
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Zeus was an 85 lb rescue who had been neglected. He came to me with no training. He would jump on people, jump on the bed. He almost broke my ribs, landing on me. He was to become my service dog so Terra could retire at 9 years old even though she was like a puppy and didn't want to retire. Zeus was a deprived dog. He came to me to learn that there is enough food, enough attention, enough love. He became an adequate service dog and an incredible cart dog. It took a lot of time, but he finally learned that there was enough of everything in this world for him. At the age of 3, he developed a seizure disorder. His personality changed and he became upredictable with strangers. The medicines didn't agree with him and someone was going to get hurt. I had him put down in my arms, loving him and talking to him. I hope when my time comes, someone puts me down as humanely. But it was one of the hardest things I ever did. I miss him terribly. But I have such good memories of my fabulous dogs and I am so grateful to hava had them for awhile.
It is a bittersweet remembrance but it is with gratitude that I remember that these angels were with me and contributed to all of us if only for awhile.
Puppy love from Joy, Karma, Tara, Dream Kitty
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 Charlie
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This is Charlie, part poodle part huskey, she was my best friend through
good and bad times. She never got angry and was always ready to go for a
walk or play ball. I remember when we would walk and she would see one of
her doggy friends her tail would start wagging and that bottom would wiggle
while pushing me along as much to stay "come on Mom Duffy is waiting for me".
When I went through my divorce it was Charlie that got me through it,
giving me a meaning to life. When I adopted my daughter at age 14 months
from China she acepted her with open arms. Heather and our 2 Kittys, Pumpkin
and Cocco and I miss her very much but it hurt more to see her suffer. She
brought more to life and she deserved more at the end. As my daughter tells
me, " Mom see that star in the sky, that's Charlie".
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There once was an angel named Darby
she flew to us from afar
There will never be another like her
she was the very best dog by far
Her eyes spoke kindness and love
her ears heard only the same
She is now looking down from above
due to tragedy and shame
There must be a stronger need out there
up in the Heavens above
God must have a special mission
that requires unconditional love
For that's all our Darby has ever known
And that's all she will ever give
A job that requires no payback
just a warm loving place to live
Our hearts hurt when our thoughts
travel back to that tragic day
When our angel was so quickly taken
We will never be the same
Her light lives on in her babies
with a sparkle in their eyes
They have the same bright sunshine
that grows throughout their lives
For Darby was an angel
who brought happiness to our lives
God chose to take our angel
to keep close by His side
We miss her every day
but know she is having a ball
For who could love her more
than the Creator of us all
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