To All The Champions Of Past, Present And Future

[2NOFLEAS]

Of Great Love and Great Sorrow

 

No words can heal the hurt

No towel can dry the tears

For we cry for our own loss

The loss of a great love that

Brought us great sorrow

We celebrate the love we learned

The only love given unconditionally

We remember the joys with the

Pictures and things that give us memories

As they fill our eyes with tears

Yet as hard as we try

We don’t want to fill the missing

Piece in our heart

For that hole will remain open

For our love to come back

Once again and forever stay until

We meet at the bridge again and

Forever more we shall be together

 

TMW

2/06

 

 

You are OUR champions. We may have adopted you - but you have rescued us more times than we could ever thank you for. We are so proud, so glad that you found your way to us, so pround that you allowed us to share life with you. You are our champions. Forever Paw in Hand.

[Guest Pipi5]

[Guest EmbersDad]

for ember

 

I AM WITH YOU

 

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

 

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

 

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.

I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

 

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

 

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ...

in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say

"goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

 

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

 

 

 

[dante2zoe]

Oh, wow. What a comforting poem, Ember's Dad. I hope it helps all who have experienced a loss find peace.

[RaineysMom]

:weep

 

I knew I shouldn't have read this at work :cry1

 

both are just beautiful! :cry1

[Guest SoulsMom]

[Guest jettcricket]

...that is beautiful and so true. Thank you for sharing.

[2NOFLEAS]

Hopefully more people will post their poems and thoughts.

And Cofax is wondering why I've been hugging her so much lately..........

[Guest EmbersDad]

this was sent to me in a PM about Ember's passing. if the author does not wish it to be shared here, i will remove it.

 

THINK OF ME

Running fast running free,

That's how I would wish you remember me,

I may have passed but certainly not gone,

As thoughts of much happier times in your mind linger on,

Days full of sunshine when we played until we dropped,

Or tearing up the house on the days the rain refused to stop,

From the cuddles on the sofa when you were feeling down,

To all the adoration I gained when you walked me round the town,

With you I had a joyful life and found so many friends,

Many of whom you'll turn to now until your poor heart mends,

You will laugh you will cry that is the nature of the beast,

But please don't mourn for too long for now I am at peace.

S CROMPTON

[Houndtime]

From Friend to Friend" by Karen Clouston

 

You're giving me a special gift, so sorrowfully endowed,

And through these last few cherished days, your courage makes me proud.

But really, love is knowing when your best friend is in pain,

And understanding earthly acts will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes, beyond into your soul,

I see in you the magic that will once more make me whole.

The strength that you possess is why I look to you today,

To do this thing that must be done, for it's the only way.

That strength is why I've followed you and chose you as my friend,

And why I've loved you all these years...my partner till the end.

Please understand just what this gift you're giving means to me,

It gives me back the strength I've lost and all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf, for that is what friends do,

And know that what you do is right. For I believe it too.

So one last time I breathe your scent and through your hand I feel

The courage that's within you to now grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here, dear friend and let me run,

Once more a strong and steady dog, my pain and struggle done.

And don't despair my passing, for I won't be far away,

Forever here within your heart and memory I'll stay.

I'll be watching over you, your ever faithful friend,

And in your memories I'll run, a young dog once again.

Edited January 17, 2009 by Houndtime

[2NOFLEAS]

Those Paws

 

Those paws learned at an early age how to work hard for a living and never knowing more than the inside of a kennel or a racetrack.

Those paws were held when you first traveled in the back of a truck, scared, shaking and unsure because you weren’t in a crate as you were on your way to a new home – your forever home.

Those paws were held for weeks as we slept together on the floor downstairs until you were brave enough to try the stairs for a first time.

Those paws dug in the dirt on hot summer days to make a nice cool spot to lay in while you watched us work in the yard.

Those paws stepped into mud and left footprints around the house (and in our hearts).

Those paws all bandaged up when you broke a nail, but never stopping you from having fun (at least not for long).

Those paws having fun pouncing and bouncing, playing with squeaky toys.

Those paws walked the paths and streets with us so you could catch up on all the smells in the neighborhood and maybe even meet a neighbor dog.

Those paws lay next to us night after night, sometimes running and playing as you sleep. Those paws fluffed blankets and pillows so they are just in the right places.

Those paws were there during our hardest family times and through the happiest.

Those paws played and ran with your true love, your first sister of your forever family, your sole mate, and walked side by side without hesitating.

Those paws held me when we cried when she left us from this world.

Those paws greeted a new sister and learned how much fun snow can be.

Those paws in my hands, soft yet firm, tender yet strong, showing the love you have to share teaching me that things can get better no matter how bad they are, they can get better by just a simple touch.

Those paws have been through so much and one day those paws will be held not by me but by God. And that day, I will cry and I will thank you for picking our family to be yours, and I will miss you and all our days that we would just sit or lay and hold

Those paws.

 

Tina Wiepert 2006

 

Written for my first adopted greyhound – ReRun (formerly: Evader) before he passed away the day after his 12th birthday, April 19, 2007.

 

 

[Guest GreytMuse]

Thank you all for sharing those thoughts and words with me.

[galgrey]

This one has special meaning and comfort for me. So often I whisper their names in my heart ...

 

 

 

ASCENSION

 

And if I go,

while you're still here...

Know that I live on,

vibrating to a different measure

--behind a thin veil you cannot see through.

You will not see me,

so you must have faith.

I wait for the time when we can soar together again,

--both aware of each other.

Until then, live your life to its fullest.

And when you need me,

Just whisper my name in your heart,

...I will be there.

 

"Ascension"

Copyright ©1987, Colleen Corah Hitchcock

[Guest EmbersDad]

these are all so beautiful. good tears flowing here.

[2NOFLEAS]

It's good for people to share their feellings. One thing I've learned being a greyhound mom - we're never alone, we have the biggest family in the world. Thank you everyone for joining this topic - I hope you keep it going.

[Guest Klingon]

Posted on the GALT site - The Journey

Edited February 4, 2009 by Klingon