I Am Not Here

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

-- Author Unknown

I Stood By Your Bed

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 re-assure 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

I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

-- Author Unknown

They Will Not Go Quietly

"They will not go quietly, the dogs who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think we hear a barking at the door.
Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night, we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts belongs to them... and always will"
 

-- Author Unknown

A Letter From Your Pet In Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
 

I'm writing this from the Bridge. Here I dwell with God above.
Here there's no more tears of sadness. Here is just eternal love.
 

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
 

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
 

And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you... in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years,
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
 

But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night... "My day was not in vain."

And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along I made somebody smile.

God says: "If you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street with me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind."

"And when it's time for you to go... from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going... you're coming here to me."

-- Author Unknown

Welcome Home

When I'm gone, release me, let me go.

You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears.

 You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.

Grieve for me a while, if you grieve you must then let your grief be comforted by trust.

 And then when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a lick and bark,
"Welcome Home."

 (Author unknown)

 

"POOCHIE'S IN HEAVEN"

excerpted from the book entitled
"WHEN ONLY THE LOVE REMAINS:
THE PAIN OF PET LOSS"
by Emily Margaret Stuparyk

You were a bright light for me
My shining star
Now the light has gone out
How will I go on!

I loved you in life and
I love you in death
Such sadness has swept me
Away like a tidal wave
Carried me to another place
And now, someone else remains to grieve
Because my pain is indescribable.

You were my strength
My brave little soldier
And now, the strength has gone from me too
I miss you, so desperately.

You were everything to me
You gave me so much joy
And now, the angels are the lucky ones
As they watch you romp on heaven's greens.

But I too was lucky once,
She loved me with all her heart
We bonded in life, and now in death
I'll carry her wherever I go.

He Only Takes the Best

God saw you were getting tired,

And a cure was not to be,

So he put his arms around you

And whispered, "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched you,

And saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard-working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.


 

DEDICATED TO PEOPLE IN RESCUE

I wasn't a pup when I came to your home,

I'd been dumped on the road, left to roam.

Don't remember the people except the pain.

They left me to die in the cold and the rain.

You were driving down the hwy, it was late at night

When you saw the faintest glimmer of light.

You took a chance and turned around

Got out of the van and knelt to the ground.

My quivering body felt the gentlest of hands.

I knew I need not make any demands.

In your heart, and your home, there was always room

For those who would face certain doom.

You healed my body and you healed my heart.

You gave me what I needed, a fresh start.

When I cried at night, you were always there

With soft words, a kiss, a hug to share.

When I misbehaved and would cower with guilt

You only showed love.....up to the hilt.

You loved and cared for me in sickness and health

Our love for each other was more precious than wealth.

Even when you were tired and had a bad day

You'd always come home to me and say,

"I missed you my baby.  I'm glad to be back."

Then you'd give me kiss, a hug and a pat.

We'd have a nice dinner then go out to play

There was so much love I wanted to stay.

But my eyes, they faded and my heart grew weak

As my time grew closer you could not speak.

You held me tight, tears flowed from your eyes

We both had to say our sad good byes.

The release from pain we knew must end

No more time on this Earth would we spend

Running in the fields, playing ball

Sitting quietly together at the end of it all.

But our time together is not through

Because I'll be there waiting for you

At the edge of the Rainbow Bridge I'll stand

Until I once again see those gentle hands.

I'll ran to you with tail held high

We will never again have to say goodbye.

My love at death, it does not end

Because you are, indeed, doGs best friend.

 

Jeane Illsche

June 21, 1998

Permission to reprint given

 

 

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