Sammis

The Journey (Part 2)

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your animal companion always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend. I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go.

An animal companion's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

� Crystal Ward Kent, 1998 (www.journeyforanimals.com) Reproduced by kind permission.

Mel Xxxxx June 13, 2009

True of Dogs, and all animals for that matter! x

♥═══♥ WHY HUMANS LIVE LONGER THAN DOGS ♥═══♥


Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn some thing from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him.

Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

(Author Unknown)

♥═══♥♥═══♥♥═══♥♥═══♥♥═══♥♥═══♥♥═══♥♥═══♥

Mel Xxxxx June 10, 2009

♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥
Rest your weary head and drift off into dreams,
Frolic in the sunshine and bathe in God's moonbeams.
Use the stars as stepping-stones to take you to your peace,
The pain of life forgotten now you have found release.
Without rain a flower folds, the petals drop and die,
There was no way to save you, you couldn't even cry.
So we cry all the tears instead as we must let you go
To Heaven, and God's garden to blossom and to grow.
The little seed is planted, you'll be watered every day,
The angels will tend all your needs as in their arms you lay.
Your life will be amazing now and full of wondrous things,
Rest in peace, our dear, sweet Sammis, go fly on angels wings.
(Author unknown)
♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥ ♥•♦•♥

Mel Xxxxx May 22, 2009

The Journey (Part 1)

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information.

Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details: the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig.

Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching: summer insects collecting on a screen; how bizarre they are; how many kinds there are or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by.

You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a cat in hot pursuit, all in the name of love.
Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Mel Xxxxx May 5, 2009

The Journey (Part 2)

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your animal companion always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend. I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go.

An animal companion's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

(Author Unknown)

Mel Xxxxx May 5, 2009

For a beautiful angel. xxx

ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥ღ In Peace Go Home ღ♥ღ♥ღ♥ღ
� Alan Pemberton

Through veils of peace may you ascend
To promised planes above
Where comfort shall await you
In those summerlands of love.

Although my grief is deep and raw
Although my pain is great
I know that you are still with me
I know that you will wait.

For in God's time we'll meet again
Of this I am quite sure
I loved you so much on this earth
In absence even more.

Mel Xxxxx April 27, 2009

♥ I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
♥ I asked God for a tree, He gave me a forest.
♥ I asked God for a river, He gave me an ocean.
♥ I asked God for the world, He gave me you.
♥ My heart is lost to you, always and forever.

Mel Xxxxx April 3, 2009

They're Only Ours for a Little While

We humans are prone to chase rainbows,
always wanting that pot of gold.
But the wisest of us remember the joy,
of just a small creature to hold.
Allow yourself to accept their great gift,
and know what devotion is worth.
If you've been loved by a dog or cat,
you're the richest person on earth.
But their lives are lived in miniature-
bright sun to palest moon.
They bless our days with innocence,
and faithfulness that's stilled too soon.
These precious lives are fragile,
as fleeting as a baby's smile.
So give them all the love you have,
they're only ours for a little while.
And in the lonely moments,
when you pause to wonder why.
Hold close those brightest shooting stars,
that burn so briefly in our sky.
But then look deeper in your heart,
to know all love must intertwine.
And when the night sky seems the darkest,
you'll see their light forever shine.

(Written by Nancy Hanson)

Mel Xxxxx March 22, 2009

~ THE VACANT CHAIR ~

Your favorite chair is vacant now...
No eager purrs to greet me,
No softly padded paws to run
Ecstatically to meet me.

No coaxing rubs, no plaintive cry
Will say it's time for feeding,
I've put away your bowl, and all
The things you won't be needing;

But I will miss you little friend
For I could never measure,
The happiness you brought me
The comfort and the pleasure.

And since God put you here to share
In earthly joy and sorrow;
I'm sure there'll be a place for you
In Heaven's bright tomorrow.
(Author Unknown)

○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○♥○

I just wanted to let you know that I made it home. The journey wasn't an easy one, but it didn't take too long.
Everything is so pretty here, so white, so fresh and new
I wish that you could close your eyes and that you could see it too.
Please try not to be sad for me.
Try to understand
God is taking care of me...I'm in the shelter of His hands.
Here there is no sadness, no sorrow, and no pain. Here there is no crying and I'll never hurt again. Here it is so peaceful when all the angels sing.
I really have to go for now... I've just got to try my wings.
(Author Unknown)

Mel Xxxxx February 28, 2009

Thinking of you. Love Mel. xxx

•♥• My Forever Pet •♥•

There's something missing in my home
I feel it day and night,
I know it will take time and strength
Before things feel quite right.

But just for now, I need to mourn
My heart -- it needs to mend,
Though some may say, "It's just a pet"
I know I've lost a friend.

You've brought such laughter to my home
And richness to my days,
A constant friend through joy or loss
With gentle, loving ways.

Companion, friend, and confidante
A friend I won't forget,
You'll live forever in my heart
My sweet, forever pet.

(Susanne Taylor)

•♥• In The Rainbow Garden •♥•

Your tears fall
Your heart aches
Your baby has gone away
Gone to heaven to play
The memories remain
Of the happy days
A meow and a purr
As you feel the soft fur
You gave your love
No more could you do
A short life of joy
For your baby and you
Off to heaven
Your angel has gone
But within your heart
The love will live on
Standing in sorrow
And in your mind's eye
Look into heaven
And please do not cry
For there in the Rainbow garden
Stands God, and in his arms
An angel softly purring
It's your baby, safe from harm.

� 2003 Stephen Selby-Cane

Mel Xxxxx February 16, 2009