Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge When an animal close to us dies, that pet goes to the 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.

Bandit Smitrovich
Rest in Peace ANGEL
April 1991 to November 5, 2003 (was 14+ yo)

Bandit was a throw away dog -- left abandoned in Moraine State Park, Butler PA. in 1991.  I always wanted a dog and at 25 years old, finally moved out of my childhood home where my parents were allergic to pet hair.

 

Bandit was at the Butler County Humane Society. He sat in front of his kennel as though he had a HALO on his head and a spot light from GOD.  I knew the minute I saw him.. He was what I had been searching my whole life for, (a best friend with fur).

 

I adopted Bandit in April 1991 (he was listed as between 1 - 2 yo) and when we got outside I opened the back door of the car and in he JUMPED as if to say, "MOMMY, let's go home".

 

Bandit has been my beloved best friend for 12+ years.  Never a day went by that I wasn't at work thinking of him.. or something funny he did or boring co-workers with stories of him.

 

Bandit was born with a number of health issues but we overcome each and everyone as best we could.  On November 5th, 2003 Bandit told me, "MOMMY, I can't do it any more, I can't breath or move around, please send me to the Rainbow Bridge were time isn't the same as on earth". 

"We'll see each other soon.. I'll be playing with all my friends, come when it is your time but not sooner !  Love Bandit"

--Love from your Mommy, Louise

I got Toby in September of 93. His mother had milk fever and the pups needed to be separated from their mother. He was only 3 1/2 wks old, and didn't even have any teeth yet.  I had him for a few days, when I started to panic because I couldn't get him to eat. (he had no teeth) I also was not allowed to have pets in the condo I was renting, so I was feeling rather mad at myself for spending the money on him. (I forgot, he was the runt of the litter, and was so small and ugly that he was cute) There I was thinking, I spent this money on a damn dog that's gonna die, or else I'm gonna get kicked out of my home over him. Well, I took him to my moms, and she fed him cream of wheat and that's how I fed him until his teeth came in.

About 2 wks later, I had o have emergency surgery. I had always wanted kids, and this was very hard to take. I cried and cried and cried...when I got home from the hospital. it was Toby who made me laugh and feel good again.  I needed him sooooo bad. Also, when my base closure was happening, I was so depressed at times, if it had not been for Toby, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed at times. He was my reason for living!   I could go on and on and on about all the things he did for me, but I would need to write a novel. I just know that God sent him to me, for me to take care of him, and him to take care of me. We were a team! He was my bestest buddy in the whole wide world!  He was Toby! 

-- Kimmi

THE WIND

The Wind can take many forms.
Sometimes it blows into our lives in the shape of a puppy.
There are times, when young, that this Wind seems more like a tornado!
With time, the Wind mellows, and blows sweetly through years of our lives.

In later years, the Wind grows weaker.
It still has bursts of force, but it is gently becoming calm;
And sometimes, our friend, the Wind, needs our help to finally be still.
Then a cold wind blows through our heart.

This cold wind blows through us because our heart has a hole in it
Where our beloved friend lived,
But now lives in our memory instead.


Where does the Wind go?
And will it ever take form and blow our way again?
Yes! I believe it willŠif
We are aware and recognize it's new shape.

Our life is ever richer for having shared it with the "Wind".

--©Jackie Athon-Hodsdon

Scooter turned 16 on Christmas Day. Several months earlier, back in June, she was nearly put to sleep because of crippling arthritis in her back leg. She no longer cared to move or do steps because of the pain. This made things all the more difficult for my mother, Scooter's owner  had a difficult time helping Scooter up and down the steps of her home.

Scooter had been carried to the vet by a neighbor. The vet had suggested that perhaps it would be best if Scooter were put to sleep, since medication didn't seem to help the arthritis. A friend whom I met on the internet suggested alternative medicine, and I spoke with the vet who said that
acupuncture can help in some instances.  She gave me the name of an acupuncturist who I called. She, too, said acupuncture does help in many instances. I convinced my mother to give me a chance with Scooter, perhaps there was  more we could do, and I would take Scooter home with me to try the acupuncture.

That very night, around midnight, we met with the acupuncturist and Scooter had her first session. It went well. Scooter took to her instantly (probably because she offered her flavorful liver treats). It was a weekly meeting that would continue for seven months, and each time Scooter met with the acupuncturist, she returned home with renewed vigor.    

Unfortunately, in the meantime, I took Scooter to my vet to learn that something else was going on internally, quite possibly one or more tumors. The vet told me we were looking at a matter of time, six months possibly. He suggested we put Scooter on a bland diet, which we did. In fact, Scooter never ate so good in her life -- pasta, chicken, barley, green beans, egg, ricotta cheese, etc. It was a diet made in heaven and Scooter loved it.

Things progressed right along until this winter. Here, in Chicago, we were hit with a ton of snow and for several weeks we were quite buried in it. It made it all the more difficult for Scooter to get around in the yard, where we had shoveled paths in the snow for her and our other pets. We were shut- ins. No more running about in the yard, not for Scooter. Then I noticed she started slowing down, and whatever had been diagnosed six months ago was
catching up with her.

We had to make a decision and it was the hardest decision I've ever made. I talked with my mother about it, told her that Scooter just wasn't enjoying her life, and that we would probably have to put her to sleep. She had all but stopped eating at this point, though she managed to keep her appetite for an occasional cookie.

Scooter was hard of hearing, if not completely deaf, so she enjoyed going for walks where she would stare at people and birds, and, really, anything that moved. Her eyesight, taste and smell were her main senses. The past few days, snow having melted some, I managed to take Scooter for several long walks. And, at Scooter's leisure, she walked about, staring at kids throwing snowballs at each other, or a neighbor hauling out garbage, or cars driving down the street. I stared at these things right along with her, wondering to myself what she was sensing, or feeling, or thinking. I thought how much she enjoyed the walk, and how much I wished she could keep enjoying these things.

But Scooter was only getting worse and the decision had to be made. I had talked with the acupuncturist about this and asked her if the time should come, would she be able to help me. She said she would and so, this woman being one of Scooter's favorite people, I knew we would go to her and we did.

This past Monday, January 25, at about 2 p.m., we put Scooter to sleep. The vision in my head of this experience is very painful, sorrowful, really. I wish there were some way to erase it and I know it's something that is going to take time.

On Monday evening, I turned on two candle lights in the house (left over from the holidays) in memory of Scooter. And, again, Tuesday night, I turned on a candle in her memory. It was only today that I discovered the Candle Lighting Ceremony that takes place every Monday evening. I felt an instant comfort, knowing that so many people had lit candles Monday evening in memory of their pets, and that I had remembered Scooter in this way as well. Without knowing, I was joining so many others in a wonderful way of paying tribute.  I plan to keep the candle burning every Monday night in memory of all our pets.

Scooter was so special. She was so sweet. She was valiant. She was brave. She was just about everything I wish I could be more of as a human every day. I think perhaps we should
strive to be more like our animal friends in many of the things we do. Scooter is going to be missed so much... I don't quite know how we're going to get along...

Phyllis Apelian (original owner)
Written by Betty Apelian

LIGHT OF LIFE

As the light of life grows dim,
And I slowly slip away.
I hear my loved ones crying,
Wishing for one more day.

With my last breath of life,
I look around and see,
My toys and bones and things,
That meant so much to me.

For just one fleeting moment,
I remember back in time.
When I was just a puppy,
And all the world was mine.

Although the light of life grows dim,
And I slowly slip away,
I am surrounded by the love I've known,
Each and every day.

We'll be together one day,
And now I know just why.
Although the light of life has dimmed,
Love can never die.

--Carol Kufner