Farewell

Tears coursing down my cheeks, the pain is raw and deep.

Her memories are fresh and haunting, memories I'll always keep.

She was never just an animal, she was pet, relative, and friend.

We are left with broken hearts, that I hope in time will mend.

She was so very sweet and precious, it was so hard to say goodbye.

Her heart was filled with love for us, I can only think of her and cry.

The life we shared is over now, we will miss her sweet and loving face.

We have loved her so completely, none could ever take her place.

I firmly wipe the tears away, trying not to dwell upon this pain.

But she was so much a part of us, our lives will never be the same.

You've left an empty place, if only you didn't have to die.

But someday we will think of you, and no longer hurt and cry.

Your memory will never fade, our love for you will never cease.

You will always be in our hearts...

Farewell, rest in peace.

(Michelle L. Hope)

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The Greatest Gift

I always knew this time would come

From the very first time 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 the last gift, the 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 I have learned...

Unconditional love has a condition after all.

I must be willing to let you go when you speak to me.

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 the ones who have gone before you.

You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar...

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.

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 Rainbow Bridge

We'll meet again.

Loving you has been the greatest gift of all.

(Author unknown)

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I stood by your bed last night...

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 "good-night, 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.

(Author unknown)

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We who choose to surround ourselves

with lives even more temporary than our own,

live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached

Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would have it no other way.

We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,

never fully understanding the necessary plan.

(auteur onbekend)

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Don't think of her as gone away, her journey's just begun,

life holds so many facets, this earth is only one.

Just think of her as resting, from the sorrows and the tears

in a place of warmth and comfort, where there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishing, that we could know today

how nothing but our sadness, can really pass away.

And think of her as living, in the hearts of those she touched

For nothing loved is ever lost - And she was loved so much.

- Ellen Brenneman

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"From Friend to Friend"

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.

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Little Cat (To Marmie)

[January 1976 - December 4, 1993]

I said goodbye to you today, little cat.

Fingers caught on bones when I stroked your fur.

You could scarcely raise your head to drink, yet still you calmed me with your purr.

Were you comfortable curled on the rug? And did you know your time drew near?

Your wide green eyes held gentle love, and quiet pain, but showed no fear.

You slipped away so quietly that we weren't sure that you were gone.

Our bouncy little cat is stilled but your spirit lingers on.

Little ghostcat, where are you? Are you happy, are you strong?

I feel your warmth, your life, your love and still can hear your purring song.

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by Michael Joseph (UK) that he wrote when his Siamese Charles died in 1942 at the age of 12 years.

To a Siamese Cat

I shall walk in the sun alone whose golden light you loved:

I shall sleep alone and stirring, touch an empty place:

I shall write uninterrupted

(Would that gentle paw could stay my moving pen just once again!)

I shall see beauty but none to match your living grace:

I shall hear music but not so sweet as the droning song

With which you loved me.

I shall fill my days but I shall not, cannot forget:

Sleep soft, dear friend, for while I live you shall not die.

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What Is A Cat?

Gentle eyes that see so much, paws that have the quiet touch.

Purrs to signal "all is well" and show more love than words can tell.

Graceful movements touched with pride, a calming presence by our side.

A friendship that will last and grow, small wonder why we love them so.

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Together again........

(by Janet Jackson)

There are times when I look above and beyond, There are times when I feel your love around me baby

I'll never forget my baby (I'll never forget you )

When I feel that I don't belong

Draw my strength, From the words you said

Hey it's about you baby, Look deeper inside you baby

Dream about us together again, What I want us together again baby

I know we'll be together again 'cause

Everywhere I go, Every smile I see, I know you are there, Smilin' back at me

Dancin' in moonlight, I know you are free, 'Cause I can see your star, Shinin' down on me

Good times we'll share again, Makes me wanna dance, Say it loud and proud: All my love's for you

Always been a true angel to me, Now above, I can't wait for you to wrap your wings around me baby

Wrap them around me baby

Sometimes hear you whisperin', No more pain, No worries

will you ever see now baby, I'm so happy for my baby