Do I Go Home Today?
My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter-without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chew the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the backyard, on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why,
They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, as a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left." I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance?
Do I go Home today?

By Sandi Thompson

Rest In Peace Our Dear Friends

Cricket Maria
You were taken from your adoptive family far too soon.  You loved them very dearly as they did you too. At 10yrs old you left us after only a 12 month stay. You passed as quietly as you came, beautiful after your bath. If only we had known your time here would not last. We will keep you in our hearts forever and think of you fondly. We will see your bright eyes every time we look at your spot on our pillow. We will remember your gentle touch when we cuddle with the other fur kids. We hope you passed to that Rainbow Bridge where you will wait for us to join you at our last.
If Tears Could Build A Stairway
If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
We'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken, no time to say good-bye,
You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why.
Our heart's still active in sadness, and secret tears still flow;
What it meant to lose you no one can ever know.
But now we know you want us to mourn for you no more,
To remember all the happy times; life still has much in store.
Since you'll never be forgotten, we pledge to you today:
A hallowed place within our hearts is where you'll always stay.

Foxy
You will be missed despite your short stay with us.  You were dealt an awful hand when your owner left you in the pound.  We took you into our arms and our hearts as we slowly watched you fade comfortably into the dark.  You knew someone loved you and that they cared, we did what we could but your heart was too far gone when we met.  Rest in Peace dear friend as you will always be missed.

Goodbye
With heavy hearts; and a tear in our eyes
after all these years; we must say goodbye
Please understand; we've done all we could
if there was anything we could do; you know we would
I'm sitting right here; gently rub your ears
while I talk to you softly; trying to hold back the tears
The memories you gave us; we'll never forget
especially the ones; of the day we all met
One last hug; and one last kiss
you have no idea; how much you'll be missed
To look into your eyes; this one last time
you tell me it's ok; you know it's your time
Close your eyes now; and go to sleep
we'll pray to the Lord; your soul he'll keep
Go in peace now; our good friend
we'll stay right here with you; until the end
Dream of that special day and time
when we'll meet at the Bridge; and all will be fine
We'll run and play; side by side
with a soft warm feeling; deep down inside
Your memory will live on; in each one of us
you'll always be number 1; to all of us
Have a safe journey; through the night
I promise when you awake; you'll be in God's light
So with heavy hearts; and tears in our eyes
just for now my friend; we say goodbye
John Quealy

Smores
Despite our love and tender care we lost you to your illness.  We tried to give you everything but failed to heal you in the end.  I sat there with you as the doctor said there was not going to be a happy end.  I cried that day and cry still today for your fragile puppy soul.  At 8 years old someone left you alone, never mentioned that your lungs were filling.  When we meet again I will hold you as I did that day and comfort you with everything in me.  You were a dear sweet boy with every day a growing light in you.  I saw the love in your eyes as you pleaded with me to let you go with Foxy.  Never will I forget the cry you made as I gave you one final kiss to say goodbye.  I held your paw and stroked your fur as your eyes slowly greyed.  I wish that there was something more I could have done, something to help you live long, but alas I am but a mere mortal.  Now you are resting in your maker's lap waiting for me to come and claim you.  When my time comes I know you'll be waiting and guide me safely to the other side.  For there was never a more loyal and cunning boy than you.  Rest in Peace my Dear Friend Smores, for one day I will see you again.

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
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 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.
Winnie
Winnie was a sweet cuddly girl that needed a quiet home where she could have been a lap doggie. Winnie was a loveable little bear that would have given lots of love and happiness to anyone that adopted her.  Winnie would have done best in a senior home where things are a bit quieter as she had a very mellow personality.  Unfortunately our dear Winnie lost the battle of tumors on 9/23/09.  Her trachea collapsed and she could no longer stand or go outside.  We loved dear Winnie as one f our own and will miss her forever.  We know she is now romping in the clouds and able ton breath freely as she did when she was a puppy.  Sleep well dear Winnie for one day we hope to see you again.

Lord, you have embraced a good friend and loving companion.
While we mourn what we have lost, we do celebrate what we had...
and in saying goodbye, we renew our pledge to love and care
for any creature you entrust to us for its time of life.
Thank you, Lord, for the joy this loved one gave us and for making it
possible for us to have made this friend's life a good one.
 

Rodger
A super sweet large pom male.  Rodger was rescued only hours before the shelter was set to put him to sleep.  Rodger liked to spend most of his days lounging in cool areas around the house.  Food got you the key to his heart and he will followed you everywhere.  He loved to get pets and be brushed.  He was 13yrs young and wanted a furever home that would have given him the love he truly deserved!
To have loved and then said farewell is better than to have never loved at all.

For all of the times that you stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you. For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly. For all of these things I am grateful and thankful. I ask that you grieve not for the loss but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each other's lives.

My life was fuller because you were there, not as owner, but as my friend. Today, I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures. I can run, jump and play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging. We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever. You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are very rare and unique. Don't hold the love that you have within yourself.

Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies,
and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

RIP Sweetie
I was a real true goodness to gracious sweetheart just like my name.  I was saved by a volunteer at the shelter on the day they planned to kill me.  I was only 5 years old, I never barked, I was teeny tiny at only 5 pounds and a lazy lap doggie.  I had so much love and so many cuddles and kisses to give left in me.  I liked to play with the other girls here at my foster moms house and to lay in my soft bed and rest at the end of the day.   Unfortunately I had late onset Distemper and because there was no sanctuary facility for me to get proper care for the remainder of my life, I was unable to be saved furever.  I declined quickly without that special bond that pommies form and my enlarged heart gave out. The pommie rescue ladies did everything they could and showed me as much love as they could, but god called me home.

One by one, they file past my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way
Way past his time, he can't run and play
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way
A little old man, arthritic and sore
It seems I am not wanted anymore
I once had a home, I once had a bed
A place that was warm, and where I was fed
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong
I got in their way; my attitude was wrong
Whatever excuse they made in their head
Can't justify how they left me for dead
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day
The younger dogs all get adopted away 
When I had almost come to the end of my rope
You saw my face, and I finally had hope
You saw through the grey and the legs bent with age
And felt that I still had life beyond this cage
You took me home, gave me food and a bed
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head
We snuggle and play and you talk to me low
You love me so dearly, you want me to know
I may have lived most of my life with another
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger
And I promise to return all the love I can give
To you, my dear person, as long as I live
I may be with you for a week or for years
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave
I know you will cry and your heart it will grieve 
And when I arrive at the Bridge all brand new My thoughts and my heart will still be with you
And I will brag to all that will hear
Of the person who made my last days oh, so dear
 

Anonymous

Rescuer's Bridge
The Bridge Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him. "You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."

~unknown