Guest DoneRacin Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I found this to be one of the most inspirational readings I have read since my Mattie Girl went to Rainbow bridge....it rings so true. I hope it might help others. It may have already been posted here at one time or another. A Living Love by Martin Scot Kosins If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember....The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking "stranger" in a shelter -- simply because something in his eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room -- and when you feel it brush against you for the first time -- it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come. The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other: routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow, deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet -- and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives. And on this day -- if your friend and God have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own -- on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul -- a bit smaller in size than your own -- seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg -- very, very lightly.And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay -- you will remember those three significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart... As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache. But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when -- along with the memory of your pet -- and piercing through the heaviness in your heart -- there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love. Like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow -- and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live.It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave -- perhaps to join our Beloved Pets -- it is a Love we will always possess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Very beautiful. Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Wow, that is powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tampagreymom Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Thank you-that is very touching and true. It had me crying since I recently lost my 12 year old girl to cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 I've looked for this for so long! My friend Nikki sent it to me after Burp went to the bridge. Several years ago I posted it here but lost track of it and although I found a copy, one sentence was missing at the bottom of the page. I did not know the author. Thank you--it's one to read & cry with Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devotion Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 wow. thank you. Quote Pam with greys Avril, Dalton & Zeus & Diddy the dachshund & Miss Buzz the kitty Devotion, Jingle Bells, Rocky, Hans, Harbor, Lennon, NoLa, Scooter, Naomi and Scout at the bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadasMom Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 So true & so beautiful. Quote Carol-Glendale, AZ Trolley (Figsiza Trollyn) Nevada 1992-2008...always in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 IT certainly is powerful, a tear jerker for me since I am looking at a sick 9 year old grey. My heart aches already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MagicsMom Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 That was beautiful. It reminded me of my 18 years with Han. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Oh my goodness, how true and beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DogDayzGreyz Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 So true, sad and comforting at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheStylishHound Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 That is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for posting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Snowy8 Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 This is so true...thank you for sharing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracegirl Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 tear! Quote Poppy the lurcher 11/24/23 Gabby the Airedale 7/1/18 Forever missing Grace (RT's Grace), Fenway (not registered, def a greyhound), Jackson (airedale terrier, honorary greyhound), and Tessie (PK's Cat Island) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PNWtrillium Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 This is beautiful, and brought welcome tears. According to An Angel's Destiny (at http://www.anangelsdestiny.com/pet-memorial-poems.html), this piece is titled "The Fourth Day." It is re-published on that page with the author's permission. quote: Martin Scot Kosins is the author of Maya's First Rose, published by Open Sky Books. "The Fourth Day" originally appeared as the Foreword for Pet Loss by Nieburg and Fischer, published by HarperPerennial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 This is wonderful. Made the tears flow yet again as I sit here one week later from the "3rd day". That day changed my world forever! I will welcome the "4th day" when it arrives! THANK YOU! Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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