FOR "SKIPPY'S TASMANIAN DEVIL"

AUGUST 31, 1985 - SEPTEMBER 10, 1999

"TAZ"

This page is for Taz, my beloved Schipperke who left me after thirteen years of devotion as my constant companion and very special friend.

It is never easy to say goodbye to a beloved pet. I have done so many times. Each one breaking my heart a little more with their leaving.

In my travels on the world wide web I have seen many lovely web pages dedicated to pets who have "crossed the Rainbow Bridge". Usually a poem bearing the same title appears on the page and it's authorship is credited to someone who is "Unknown".

At this time and on this special page I would like to clear up the mystery of the unknown author. In 1997 Mr. Paul C. Dahm wrote and published a book titled "The Rainbow Bridge". In that book is a poem, written by Mr. Dahm that bears the same title. Paul is my neighbor and truly an animal lover. He has been kind enough to give me permission to reproduce his poem here on this page and offers the following statement:

"Anyone using "The Rainbow Bridge" poem on their web site is in violation of Mr. Dahm's copyright and may be open to prosecution."

"THE RAINBOW BRIDGE"

Far beyond the sky in another dimension lies a beautiful enchanted land. It is the resting place for all the animals who have served man, many of whom sacrificed their lives to save mankind. To enter this land, the animals cross over the Rainbow Bridge. The Bridge was called so by the angels for its profusion of rainbow-like colors which glow and fade in welcome to the new arrivals.

It is a land of lush green meadows, flowing streams, and an endless variety of trees. There are ponds scattered about for the new arrivals to bathe and wash away all traces of their previous existence. They emerge refreshed after their long journey across the Bridge.

There are myriads of flowers, many growing in vines which criss-cross the branches in the trees. The air is fragrant with their sweet perfumes. Bones and catnip rain intermittently from the air above.

In this magic land, all become young again. The old and infirm run about as they did in their youth. The crippled and maimed are made whole again. The days are spent cavorting across the many fields and enjoying the company of the many varieties of animals here. Most happy, if this can be so, are the dogs and otters who are even more playful here than on earth.

There is but one note of sadness here. It is reflected in the eyes of the animals who were pets of humans who loved them while on earth. If one looks deeply into their eyes, this sadness is seen. They miss that unique love, care, and devotion they received from their own special companion. Many had received more love from their owners than their owners had given to their fellow humans.

And then one day, one special, magic day, your own pet looks up. A familiar sound has reached its ears. Its nose begins to twitch, its ears go up, and its tail begins to wag uncontrollably. It stares, then begins to run toward you.

He knows you have come for him. He takes one great leap and once again is in your arms. Your face is kissed and kissed, and kissed again. You look once more into the trusting, loving eyes of your beloved pet. Together you walk across the Rainbow Bridge, never again to be separated.

PAUL C. DAHM IBSN 0-9663022-0-6 © 5/9/1981 All Rights Reserved

Not long after Taz was gone I received the following in my e-mail from one of my online friends, who is also an animal lover. It moved me so much that I wish to include it here as another tribute in prose to a little dog who meant so very much to me. Thank you, Ellen for sending this to me.

"THE GREATEST GIFT"
By Karla M. Bertram 11/23/96

I always knew this time would come, From the very instant our eyes first met. How I loved you then! How I love you now! I made a promise then and I keep that promise now . . . You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal; You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone. It is for me alone to make this decision, The price for the bright joy and pure laughter You brought me during the time we shared. I am the only one who can decide when it is time. When my hope dies, and my fears ride high, Just when I need you most, I must let you go. It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready. For without your guidance, I will not know When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger, My sorrow and my selfish heart aside And give you this last gift, this greatest gift. Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.
The pain of this moment is excruciating. Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow, And my heart drowns in a pool of grief. For you have spoken, and I have listened, And unlike other decisions I have made, This one brings no relief . . . no comfort . . . no peace. For if there's one thing you've taught me, If there's only one thing I've learned. . . . Unconditional love has a condition after all, I must be willing to let you go, when you speak to me I must be willing to help you go, if you cannot go alone. And I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.
Go easily now, go quickly now, Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave. Go find your strength, go find your youth. Go find the ones who've gone before you. You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar Rest easy now, your pain will soon be gone.
I pray I will find comfort in my memories . . . In the dark and lonely days ahead.
I cannot say I will not miss you, I cannot say I will not cry. For only my tears can heal my broken heart. But, I promise you this: as long as I live, You will live, alive in my mind, forever in my heart. So I give you this last gift, all I have left to give, And this will be my greatest gift . . . sending you away. It is the measure of my unconditional love . . . For only the greatest love can say, "Good-bye, go find the bridge, we'll meet again, Loving you has been the greatest gift of all."

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