T
he Rainbow Bridge[The term "Rainbow Bridge" comes from Norse mythology. The Rainbow Bridge connected earth to Asgard, the city of the gods. The gods would pass back and forth over this bridge. Also, Valkyries (heroic, warlike maidens) carried the bodies of fallen Norse heroes from earth to Asgard and into Valhalla (the Hall of the Slain) to feast with Odin.]
[ "Rainbow Bridge"-- is a beautiful piece of prose that
suggests our departed pets wait for us to join them in the afterlife. Rainbow Bridge
is also a huge, natural rock formation located at Lake Powell on the Arizona/Utah
border. Is there a connection between the two? Wally Brown, a member of the
Navajo Tribe's Bitter Water Clan, says a connection is quite likely. Brown is a
Navajo historian; he has researched the Rainbow Bridge and the special significance
it holds in the spiritual beliefs of the Navajo. Brown believes the Rainbow
Bridge was discovered during the Freemont Culture which dates to 1200 A.D. Sand paintings
of the Anasazi and the Towering Hang People clearly portray the rock formation as well.
For centuries, the Rainbow Bridge has been the sacred site of Native American healing
ceremonies - ceremonies which heal a person's spiritual nature. According to
Brown, the Rainbow Bridge represents a connection between this life and the next - a
path provided to make the passing easier. He says the term "rainbow"
comes, not only from the formation's shape itself, but also from the stories of
people who saw a bright, white light as they were dying. White light is a
combination of all the colors found in a rainbow. Brown says Navajos believe that
all animals can talk and that humans could, at one time, "clearly understand and
communicate with their four-legged brothers." He says this communication is a major
part of the Navajo stories passed from generation to generation (considered
documentation of the tribe's history). As time progressed, however, and the Navajo culture
became diluted by outside influences, the ability to talk with the animals was impaired.
As he put it, "When a people lose a sense of the culture, the beliefs are
thrown by the wayside -- and the human abilities found in those beliefs are lost as
well." The question is asked again: Is there a true connection between
"Rainbow Bridge" (the prose) and Rainbow Bridge (the rock formation
considered a sacred site by the Navajos)? Since the author of the piece is unknown, the
origin of the concept may never be discovered. Such a connection also depends on
one's spiritual beliefs and is very
personal in nature. Wally Brown, for one, says the association fits because the
Navajos believe in the equality of all souls - human and animal. He says the
thought of being reunited with his beloved animals is quite comforting, and "what
better place than the Rainbow Bridge?" ~~ Copyright 1997 Maryann Watkins ]
[Mikey is the Fluffsters' Guardian Angel--click on his image
above to visit his page]
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 'til 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 there watching over you,
Your ever faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run,
A young dog once again.
In Memory of Asta,
Feb. 1997 ~~ Karen
Clouston
Rescue Losses
For the Love
of Mike, by Joan Samuelson
Sept. 23, 1999
Ryan,
by Joan Samuelson
Nov. 21, 1999
Click on the thumb nails to see our residents of the Rainbow Bridge
Paige Puppy
June 13, 2000
My sweet Paige Puppy left me after nearly 15 years. She was born into my
hands and into my heart on July 17, 1985. She was only happy when she was
by my side through the years and that is right where I wanted her to be.
She was so loved and will be missed the rest of my life.
- Ann Acuff
Taken
from us way too soon, Madeline will always be remembered as the golden- hearted pup that
we allloved dearly. At only six months old, she left us to travel onto the Rainbow Bridge.
We all miss her dearly but we know that her exuberance and spirit were too big for this
world to hold. We can’t wait to see you again, Maddy!! ~ The Jonassens.
SPICE and her little sister, Meg.
"After a year and a half without the joy of dogs in our lives we were searching for another Beardie puppy and returning from a specialty show in Vancouver only to meet our middle daughter, Holly, with what turned out to be the greatest cure for our loneliness - a tiny handful of Sheltie pup. I’d told the girls that getting their Mum a puppy was not a good idea but I was so wrong. She was sugar and spice and everything... and her name was obviously Spice, in fact Willowglyn’s Sugar and Spice.Spice was tiny, even by Sheltie standards and at a year and a half she had attained the great height of 10 inches and heavy weight of 10 pounds. Spice wouldn’t be any breeder’s idea of an ideal Sheltie, but other than her petiteness and her little prick ears she was Sheltie thru-and-thru particularly in her tiny heart. Her ears started off right but we neglected to work on them and she grew up to have little prick ears that reminded us of a little fox.
She had many of the little traits that Shelties exhibit the least of which was a sweet personality-- everyone who saw her wanted to pick her up to cuddle her and she took it all in stride--even from little children. When she lay in her crate with the door open, she would cross her front paws very lady-like; and like Trixie in the "Hi & Lois" cartoon she would find a sunbeam on the living room carpet and lie down for a snooze. I can still ‘feel’ the softness of her tiny head and hear the little sighs she made as she snuggled up and lay beside me when I was in bed with the flu. When she thought that she was left alone, she would tip her little head back and "Yaaarroooo" like a little coyote even as she ran to find us, and that’s what she did on Xmas day when we had to put her in our bedroom with Meg, her 7 month old Beardie buddy that we had added to our family. As I took my in-laws home after dinner, Holly, the daughter that had schemed with her sisters to buy Spice for Susan, took the two dogs out for a walk in the fenced green area between our house and the road behind our house (lot’s of room to run off lead). As they were heading in from the run, Spice stopped at the top of the berm overlooking the road and made a dash for the fence to get closer to the cars (she was fascinated by lights). Someone had pulled up the bottom of the chainlink fence, and Spice found the hole.
It was sudden.
Holly picked you up, Sweetheart, and ran home as fast as she could, and I met you with them in the car on the way to the hospital. I told them to go as fast as they could, and I followed but when we got you there you were gone--only a tiny little body was left.
I hope by now that you’ve found Tess and Katie and Skye and Geordie near The Rainbow Bridge. Meg and Susan and I will find you in time."
~ Chris Clarke
Woody
He was born on April 1st 1985 and went to the Rainbow Bridge on June 15, 1996. I loved him so very much. He was my first Sheltie. (As a matter of fact, he was my first dog) I haven't been able to write about him till now.
I remember when my husband and I moved into our first (rented) home, and we decided to get a puppy. He said he wanted a Sheltie. I didn't even know what a Sheltie was. (Boy, that seems so long ago) So we got on our CB Radio, (our favorite hobby at that time) (course computers were out of the question at that time) and that's when we met Dean and Kathy Parsons for the first time. I was telling Dean that Gary wanted to get a dog, when he asked me what kind we wanted, I told him, and he immediately put Kathy on the radio. Within a few days she was taking me to see the pups. I looked them over. (I think there were 3 at that time) Woody was the most active and the funniest. Eight yrs. Later Kathy would tell me that the breeder kept whispering in her ear, "she doesn't want that one, talk her out of it!!" But Kathy let me make my own decision, never saying a word against him, and going along with everything I said, as I made my decision to take Woody home with me. I decided to register him with the AKC (after all he was a pure bred and should have a fancy name) So I registered him A-Robb's- (The kennel name) "Tuffy's Brother". Heck what did I know about picking a registered name. "Tuffy Tom" was my cat's name, so things seemed appropriate to me. <gg> His Father was A-Robb's Play it again Sam, and his Mom was Comrad-Coco.
Woody was with me for 11 years and 2 months and 15 days. God I loved him. He was the biggest pain in the 'butt' you could ever imagine!! (the breeder new it, and tried to tell me, but I picked him cause I guess I new, and so did he, that he was meant for me). A barker from day ONE. Self centered, and the only other dog he ever liked (I obtained 2 or 3 more after him) was Jennifer (a rescue dog I adopted about 4 years later). They become the best of friends, playing all the time together. After Jennifer passed, he was very lonely and missed her so much for the longest time.
When the Vet told me, the day after his 11th birthday (and several tests and a sonogram) that he had prostate cancer, I couldn't believe it. He told me it had spread to all the organs, and He probably only had a couple of pain free months left. I thought he just had a bladder infection, and blamed myself for not having him neutered till he was 2 years old. (I came to terms with that later, and didn't blame myself any more) I took him home and spoiled him rotten till his time came…You see with this kind of illness, we have to be the ones to pick the time. When he looked up at me one day, after asking me to please pick him up and put him on the couch, ( he used to jump up there all the time by himself) I knew he was saying, "I am very tired, Mom, and I hurt a lot". So we had our little talk, and I took him to McDonald's and we shared a hamburger and some fries, then went to visit his favorite Vet. As Dr. Garcia placed the needle in his little leg, I cried, and told him how much I loved him, and not to be afraid, that he was going to see Jennifer now, who had passed 2 years before him. He closed his eyes peacefully, and went to sleep.
That's my story about "My Woody". My very first Sheltie. I loved him so very much.
Woody's Mom.
Judi Barry
Sharon Braun's Tempest Yankee--Rebel. Jessie (a Tara son and the little pistol)
At The Bridge (For
Scuttlebug) If I could speak to you from
the Bridge,
I would tell you not to cry. For I am no longer in
pain; it is only
my body that has died. Speak to me often and from the
heart. It will help to shorten the time that
we are apart. Remember
I love you in every way. Thank you for releasing
me from my pain today. Tuck my memory somewhere
safe and warm, for today I was again Reborn.
And when your time on Earth is finally through, Look toward the Light-- I will
be coming for you . ~~ Honey Schilz &
all her furkids past and present And For
All Bridge Dwellers 
I am writing the detail of Darby's passing for those of you that have never had to deal with this yet in the hopes of knowing what went on with Darby will make it easier for you when your Furkid's time comes (hopefully many many years from now). Starting with yesterday - Took Darby to the vets where he informed me that she was in complete Kidney failure among other things (anemic and something else I can't remember right now). He said my choices were to leave her there, and they could stablize her, but that was just putting things off for a few days. Or I could repay her love and devotion. I asked him if I could have 24hrs with her before making the decision. He said he felt her condiition was stable enough but to not wait more than the 24 hrs. I am so glad I had that time with her. Yes, we snuggled last night... She wasn't into it very much - feeling too badly, but I was conforted by it.
This morning she was weaker so I knew I was making the right decision. Though at times there would be a glimmer of the old Darby - they were few and far between. Debbie (my friend & neighbor) drove with me. When we arrived they put us in a sunny cheery room (one I'd never been in before) . I sat on a chair with darby on my lap - her bottom was actually on my lap with her head cradled next to my heart. We put a towel under her bottom and they gave her a mild tranquiliser. 10 minutes later he came in and gave her the medication in a vein. I stroked her and watched her - knew exactly when her soul went to the Rainbow Bridge. I then spent another 5 minutes with her then handed her over...
I hope this helps anyone else who may have to face sending one of our kids to the Bridge. And if you feel you can't do what I did - read this:
A Dog's Prayer
My Dear Master, to thee I pray, I do not expect more than you can give. Grant
me only the comforts you can
afford. This I promise you, my Master and friend: that I will never quarrel
or argue with you, never say unkind things nor point our your faults to you and, most of
all, never be disloyal or unfaithful to you.
Though others may desert you and the cares of the world weigh heavily upon you, though you may have poverty or prosperity, though there be sickness or health. I shall remain your obedient servent and friend. When danger is present I wish to be near to protect you, sounding the alarm against unwelcome intruders at your door, and if need be, guard you and your possessions with my life.
Dear Master, because I am a domesticated creature I need to be protected against the
harsh elements of weather, and I pray you will always give me a clean, sheltered place
where I can rest peacefully and feel secure.
Since I am no longer a predator and cannot hunt, I pray you to daily provide enough
nutritious food and fresh water to sustain my well being.
Protect me, I pray, from humans who would do cruel and inhuman things to me. I
cannot understand why some of your fellow creatures are so unkind and thus so unlike you.
I pray you will take care of me if I am ill or wounded, for I also feel pain and have only
you to depend on to see that I am tended by loving and
competent hands.
As I grow older and my senses fail me, when the infirmities of my later years become too great to bear, please be kind and help me gently in my pain or passing, for I have served you well.
Hear this prayer, My Dear Master. My fate depends on you.
By Manny & Ginny Feldman, Copyright 1973 by Emanuel M. Feldman & Virginia
L. Feldman
Grandma Sue, Keeper Of The Names (Sue Adolf)
For Valet, Oct. 1997 From CindyB--
Dear Sweet Valet,
You are now at the Bridge. I want you to
know that it's O.K., go
on across. No one will have to carry you.
SEE...you can run if you want.
No more pain, baby...... no more pain. Now
look closely, there are some
very special furkids waiting for you.....along with
your first Mom & Dad.
Yes, I am sad...and I miss you so much. I keep
listening for that
sweet bark that only you could do. Doesn't
seem fair that our time
together was so short. Yet, you taught me so
much. I promise, I'll slow
down and take a really good look at the world around
me, just like you
use to do, remember?? I'll get excited over
the smaller things....like a
really good treat or a back rub. And yes, Valet, I
know now that I am
stronger than I thought. Thank you, my *Panda Bear*,
my *Ole Man*, my
sweet boy, for being a part of my life. You will
forever be in my heart.
I love you.
Mom
......They toss shooting
stars and listen to wishes. And when
they sing windsongs, they whisper to us...
"Don't miss me too much. The view is nice
and I'm doing
just
fine"........................(Ashley)
Sandy's Lady Sept. 1997. Click on her image to
visit Lady's page
April 20, 1994,11PM news: "A nine year old female German Shepherd was found in Providence, RI, buried up to her neck and unable to move. She died after being rushed to surgery. Nothing more is known about her - no name, no reason for such cruelty." When I Die Give what's left of me away to unwanted dogs or old dogs--- That wait in city pounds to die. And if you need to cry, cry for my fellow dogs Invisible yet wandering the streets beside you or -- abandoned in lonely backyards. And when you feel pain for me, Put your arms around a dog Any dog Give to him or her-- What you want to give to me. I leave you something, Something better than my whimpers or cries. Look for me --- In dogs you meet and dogs you love. Let me live not only in mind But also in your deeds. For love does not die, And all that is left of me now -- is love. So, please give me away to others of my kind. Please give me away to others of my kind Then I will not have died in vain. (From the Ohio Basset Rescue Newsletter)
Amanda's Kelly (July 1977-December 1992): "She was my first dog, a
Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross. Kelly was a "giveaway" puppy in the newspaper.
I got her on impulse, and we were completely devoted to one another for 151/2 years. One
day,we'll be reunited forever at the Rainbow Bridge."
Jamie--30 Dec. 1996--Anne
Sport--13-year-old service dog--Sheri and Sharon
Cassie (L)--Joyce B.
~~ Author Unknown
Skunkie (Gael)--Sept. 1996
Rebel (Ann) 1961-1974--Hence the Screen Name, "Rebelac"
Shelly (Joe and Kirstie)--Summer 1996
This is McCarthy--aka "Mac" (1972-1986)--my first dog after I
left home. Fell in love with Cairns when I first met this little guy as a spunky 6-week
pup. We loved one another for 14years, went through grad school, marriage, baby, divorce,
moves. He was always at my feet--and he was the best tennis ball champI ever saw. [Joan]
Maggie Mae (Joan) Spring 1996--Age 26 months
Corky and Sasha (Dave & Sue)--Spring 1993 and Fall 1991
Shannon (Julie Blasi) Spring 1995
Ashley (Sheri)--4/25/84-5/29/96
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