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Dudley Dude, age 16, Terrier/Poodle mix. At 20 pounds, Dudley carries his weight and then some in helping with training at All Greatful Dogs, Inc. Under "permanent foster" status since age 8 months, Dudley has been a training assistant since age 1.

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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Version 2 of the Rainbow Bridge, which is a flash movie done by Terri Pike can be seen here.

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RIP Jet
beloved pet of Nancy and Don Johansen, loved by many
12/23/13

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Rest in Peace Tiger Lily Mystique (Tika)
Owned and loved by Tawni and Tom
Born Mar 07 died Oct 9, 2013

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T's Paladin With Attitude (Boone)
9/25/05 - 2/5/13

Dozer & Tess
beloved of Don and Janis McBee, loved by Tawni McBee

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In loving Memory of Premier's Charge at Shiloh
1-30-97 to 4-17-06
belonged to Tawni McBee
Rest in Peace Dear Boy

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In loving Memory of Chaussette
12-97 to 11-06-08
belonged to Tawni McBee
Rest in Peace Sweet Girl

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In loving Memory of Jaspar
10-29-97 to 1-19-08
belonged to Tom Palen
Rest in Peace Boy

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Bullet
In loving Memory of Bullet
belonged to Robyn and Jeff Bryant
Rest in Peace Sweet Boy

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Gizmo Saxman

In memory of our little buddy.
We love him dearly and hope he sits at the feet of Jesus
and loves Him the way he loved us.

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Rest in Peace Skyler

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Rest in Peace Alice

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Rest in Peace Jenna

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Rest in Peace JoJo

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Rest in Peace Abby

In loving memory of Harley, Gabriel and Jasmin
Rest in Peace Sweet Dogs

OLD DOGS DO NOT DIE

We have a secret, you and I,

That no one else shall know,

For who, but I can see you lie,

Each night, in fireglow?

And who but I can reach my hand

Before we go to bed,

And feel the living warmth of you

And touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths,

And see, ahead of me,

Your small form racing wit the wind,

So young again, and free.

And only I can see you swim

In every brook I pass.

And, when I call, no one but I

Can see the bending grass.

Author Unknown

The Perfect Run

A man dies and goes towards the light. There is no pearly gate, no rainbow bridge just an overwhelming presence. He falls face down and cries out "God help me". It is a simple prayer he has often repeated in time of stress. He was totally unprepared for what happened next. A voice says "never fear my child I am here. I'll take a simple form and we'll have a talk". The man was filled with peace and knew he had met his Maker. He realized he was being helped to his feet. The man that helped him to his feet had a radiance unlike anything he had seen before. He became aware of the conversation covering his life, beliefs, and why he should be admitted to heaven. God said he had one last test.

The man had competed in agility and had always wanted one more run with his favorite partner. God said he would grant one final run. A perfect run and he and his dog would be granted access to heaven. A failure and he would not be allowed in. The man said to God win or lose thank you for one more run. The man looked in the crowd but could not see his beloved partner. He asked God were he needed to go to find his faithful teammate. God called the man to him and said to stare into his eyes. Unbelievable peace and joy filled the man's soul. God started to change into bright overpowering light. The man became aware of a movement in the light. It grew and grew and there was his friend. He was bowled just like so many times on earth. His face was being licked, a tail beat his legs and a playful reunion was had.

There were several agility teams there that day. God was to be the judge. The exhibitors walked the course and the man was to be the third team to run. He watched the first team it was a beautiful start, the team looked so perfect, he smiled at their teamwork, it was poetry to watch. Then it happened, the handler took their eye off the dog and it took an off course. "You idiot!" yelled the handler. "What were you thinking"? A curtain covered the field and God voice could be heard but not understood. When the curtain parted the previous team was gone. God beckoned the next team to the line. This team looked even better. Then a bar was knocked. The handler went to the dog and beat it. The man wanted to go to the dog's aid but an icy stare from a near by angel froze him in his tracks. The curtain quickly drew around the ring. God's voice boomed and the ground trembled. When the curtain parted the team was gone.

God motioned for the man to come to the line. A quick placement at the line, one last scratch of the dog's ear, as was their ritual. The stay was perfect the man smiled overjoyed for one last run and the gleam in his old partner's eye. The man gave the command and released his dog. The run was one of the rare one's. The connection so right, the unexplainable feeling of being in harmony with your dog. Both the man and the dog beamed. One last cross and they would be headed home. The man realized in an instant he had moved to soon. "I'm sorry, that was my fault." he said sheepishly. They finished in fine form but it was not a clean run.

The curtain drew. God came over but before God could speak the man fell to his knees. "I'm sorry it wasn't a perfect run but thank you for one last run. It was so fun but I just blew that cross." "Please don't punish my dog for my mistake he only did what I trained him to do." God lifted the man to his feet. "You passed the test." God said with a smile. "I don't understand." stammered the man. "It wasn't a clean run." God answered. "I didn't say your dog wouldn't go to heaven if you failed nor that the run had to be clean" The man answered "you said it had to be perfect". God answered. "You see I said the run had to be perfect, not clean. Up here there is a big difference. You see nobody can run this course clean. The joy of the run, the connection so close makes it impossible to run this course clean. That is part of the test. Do you take responsibility for your mistake; do you treat your dog, my gift of love to you, with respect? The perfect runs are the runs where the handler takes responsibility for their mistakes and allows the dog to make his. The dog doesn't care if the run is clean they just want to have fun. You really passed the test before you ran. You thanked me whether you won or lost. Also, don't think I didn't notice you reacted when that other handle abused the dog. You have shown great love. That was the test.

To me your run was a thing of beauty, your conduct even better." The owner smiled. "May I have one request?" the man asked. God smiled and said "I know you want to watch the other runs. If you look past the ring you'll see your old ratty chair. I would love to have company today." The man saw some stunning runs but also some crazy runs. Dogs that did nothing but visit all the heavenly host. Dogs that knocked every bar. Dogs that sailed over every contact. He smiled each time as the curtain closed and watched God inform the handles that though not clean they were still perfect. He realized he never saw another run where the handler was mean. Every run he saw brought another team to the sideline. Cheers arose and people rejoiced. It then dawned on the man. He was no longer waiting to get to heaven, he was already there. At the end of the runs the man said to God you must be pleased only two teams failed. With a tear running down his face God said. "If only that was true. Once you pass you only see those that pass" "But enough of that we have a rainbow bridge to go visit: Some more of your friends want to see you."

Author Unknown (I was unable to find the author of this great story. If you know who wrote it, please contact me with that information so that I can officially ask permission to use the story and give credit.)

Until the Day...

© 2000 Walt Zientek

The old girl felt her worn and tired muscles relax and her pain dissolve. She drew in a long, soft breath and relaxed a little more as the familiar, loving scent of her people, filled her lungs. Memories of them rushed through her brain and warmed her heart.

"A collage of happy images and tender days." She felt their soft touches against her fur. Their hands sent a tactile message of their gratitude and their love. She felt the warmth atop her head and neck and blinked and saw their faces streaked with tears.

"Don't cry for me or feel sad." She heard them as she shut her eyes. They said her name and the "good girl" words, through their pain and sorrow. In her mind, her tail wagged to tell them that she heard. And understood.

"Good bye, my Hearts." She is standing in a meadow, near a stream. The sky is fiercely blue. She hears the song of many birds and smells the growing grass. Her legs are strong. Her eyes are clear. She begins to walk toward a brightly colored bridge, far off on the horizon, but pauses for a moment and looks back.

"Thank you. Until the day we walk together once again."

She turns and wags her thick strong tail and runs. And runs.

WAITING

author unknown

I got to the gate of Heaven yesterday

after we said good-bye.

I began to miss you terribly,

because I heard you cry.

Suddenly there was an Angel and she asked me

to enter Heaven's gate.

I asked her if I could stay outside

for someone who'd be late.

I wouldn't make much noise you see,

I wouldn't bark or howl.

I'll only wait here patiently

and play with my tennis ball.

The Angel said I could stay right here

and wait for you to come

Because Heaven just wouldn't be Heaven

if I went in alone.

So I'll wait right here, you take your time,

but keep me in your heart.

Because Heaven just wouldn't be Heaven

without you to warm my heart.

NOW I MUST GO

Send me to the Bridge I pray
when I no longer run and play.
When my limbs can't bear my weight
and dignity is stripped by fate.

Look into my eyes, you'll find
I will let you know, it's time.
You must help me from this edge.
Now it's time, I make this pledge.

I leave you for the Bridge today.
Anew, I run, I bark, I play!
We shared a life of many things
and to your heart my leaving brings;

the pain of loss, I feel it too,
but Master, know, this I must do.
I must leave first, to make the way
for you to follow me someday.

Beyond the sunset, where all pain ends
we'll meet again, the best of friends.
Just as I snuggled in your heart,
you're in mine too, we aren't apart.

I watch you from afar and pray,
it's time to heal, heal some each day.
Please dry those tears and smile for me,
and know at last that I am free.

There is no pain or suffering here.
The sun shines brightly everywhere.
There isn't even one cross look,
it's not allowed here in His book.

No clouds of gray will gather here,
no storms will ever threaten.
We are at peace here,
and the Bridge is Heaven

Author: Barbara J. Miller

The Power of the Dog
by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?


Disclaimer:

The information contained on this website is in no way intended to be a substitute for appropriate medical advice or care from a licensed medical professional or veterinarian. In no way is this an attempt to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Rather this is designed to give practical assistance to the individual pet owner to better cope with the everyday situations in the lives of ourselves and our animal friends.

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