Losing a Pet is Like Losing a Member of the Family

I now am down to one newfy, sweet and totally crazy Feeny, and my little Zoey, the rat terrier, who believes she is a newfy. We had to say goodbye last week to Jenna, just one week shy of her 13th birthday. There is this huge hole in the house, and in my heart. Until this morning, there were still two bowls for water sitting in the kitchen and there were still four bowls for dog food sitting in the spot where the clean dog food dishes go. ( I always had four, two to use, and two to wash, which made four when they were all cleaned). Ah my dear Jenna, best and most honorable of search dogs, best and most honorable of parners, faithful and absolutely fearless and absolutely trusting and trustworthy. You would just keep on going, without a fuss, just like your mother Angel, whose memoriam rests below on these pages. The whisper of you still lives within my heart and within these walls, the place where you always laid in front of the fan on the blue rug, the spot where your hair got brushed and lays in dust curls under the couch, still not swept up because it is your memory...and dear old red Elmo the stuffy that was always YOUR favorite toy. Feeny picked up Elmo a couple days ago and carried him for a bit and took him tenderly out to the yard and left him in the spot where you left us. Was she bringing him back to you?

One wonders what goes through the minds of the dogs who are left. I let Feeny see you, and Zoey too. Feeny pawed at you and she pawed at me, as if to say, get up Jenna, get up NOW. Zoey ran in circles and would not go near. Zoey is older and wiser than Feeny , even though she is smaller, and she knew there was no use. You are now running with your mother, Angel, and King Arthur, and Windy, and Callie, and Bear, and Showme...and so many many others who have gone before. What a crowd will be there to greet me when I go to the Rainbow Bridge.
The Rainbow Bridge poem is comforting for those who lose a dog (or any pet). You can buy Rainbow Bridge Sympathy cards in many different breeds and keep them on hand to send to your friends when they lose a pet. If you've never read the "Rainbow bridge" poem here it is in its entirety:

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE....
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...

The origins of this beautiful poem have been lost somewhere...if anyone does know of the author I sure would like to find out.

All I know is, if there is no heaven for dogs, then I'm not going!