Light A Candle in Loving Memories

My Dear Sweet Katie,

There has not been a day that has passed that I do not think of you. I miss you so much, and I love you with all my heart. I always told you that I would never leave you, and I didn’t, so please don’t ever think I did. I am still with you in your heart, as I am in your heart, and
I know your spirit is with me as well.

You have come to me in my dreams a few times now, and what sweet dreams they are. God now has your soul, and I have your spirit. We will be together again physically someday, I just know it. For I can’t wait until the day I can touch you again and look into your trusting and loving eyes. I wanted to thank you for always being there for me and never once judging me. The love you have giving me over the past ten years, I will cherish till the day I pass on. You meant the world to me and still do. I will never in all my journeys find a better friend than you.
You always stood right by my side,
whether I was crying, laughing, sick, or just lying around.

You were everything to me my Katie Lynn, my little monkey girl. You gave me the best ten years of my life, and I hope I gave the same to you in return. I miss your touch so much, that it hurts. I miss your greetings at the door, all our rides we took, all our talks and walks. You Katie Lynn, were and always will be, my serenity. You meant everything to me in this world. How you loved your squeaky toys, you had so many, and I still have them all, in fact, I sleep with your Christmas Moose that you loved so much. You were the best dog in the whole world Katie, you were so gentle, loving, and caring, you wouldn’t hurt a soul.

I know Canei had to of been so happy to see you at the Rainbow Bridge, he probably greeted you with such loving kisses, as I someday will. You were so loyal Katie, and your endless, unconditional love will always remain in my heart. I want you to keep playing now with Canei and know someday we will meet again. You had an excellent Nana and Daddy who loved you very much, and
they miss you dearly.

You and I also had an excellent doctor. Dr. Dave Brummer who loved you as well. The sympathy card he wrote to me after your passing was beautiful. It said…”Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you, I loved you so…’twas Heaven here with you” I read the card so many times Kate’s that I have it memorized, and I do laugh and talk of you as if you were beside me because I know you are.

Thank you for all the wonderful fond memories you have giving me. I love you my little angel girl, and I will never say goodbye to you, for I know that our physical separation is just temporary. Give Canei kisses for me, and know that I love you with all my heart and soul.
This poem is for you my little baby girl…….

“My Katie Lynn”
Although destiny stepped in and physically took you away
I know your spirit will always be with me to stay…….

and…….

Although I know God now has your soul forever to keep
For I miss you so, I can not help to sometimes weep…….

I know you are near, so close in my heart
There is no possible way we could ever be apart.

Knowing you are so close by, it is so comforting to me
It eases my pain, allowing me to be all I can be.

My memories of you are so dear and sweet
That is why I know someday we will again meet.

How I long for that day, when I can look into your trusting eyes and caress your loving face.
I bet your beautiful
angel wings are made from the finest lace.

I so, so long for your touch
My Katie, I miss you so much.

I miss our walks, our talks and
your special greetings at the door
And when I think of our times together,
I miss you all the more.

Just the thought of you brings a great smile to my face.
A feeling that I will forever and ever embrace.

You were not just a dog,
you were and will always be my best friend.
I will feel this way for all eternity,
right to the very end.

You were also my daughter, my little baby girl,
And since your passing,
my life has been one big whirl.

The memories you gifted and endless love you’ve given
Comfort me and help me to continue on living.

My love to you as yours to me was unconditional
A love that can never be replaced,
a love that is invincible.

A love so great, so powerful and strong,
A love two beings shared that could never be wrong.

Katie Lynn, you will forever remain in my heart,
And someday we will never again be apart.

I can not wait until the day you spot me,
and come rushing to greet me,
For we will walk side by side into glorious Heaven with such delightful glee.

Someday Katie Lynn, I will take your place,
and I know you will be waiting for me
with such care
So until then, I will live out my journey,
and soon enough my baby,
I will see you there…

I will love you forever my Katie Lynn,
Katie Lynn
26, Nov 2002
Raelene Christian

Canei by Raelene

Oh Canei where on earth do I begin? We miss you so much. Your 14 years with us was so special. I can still remember when Frank brought you home. You answered to so many names Nei Nei little boy bubba and baby boy. You were the best dog in the world. Your loyalty companionship and love can never be replaced. Canei there has not been a day that has gone by that we do not think of you and when we do we always smile. You never let us down and I hope that we never let you down as well.

You brought us joy comfort laughter tears and fond memories that will live on forever in our hearts. You will always be a part of us Nei. As your memory lives on so do you. Katie misses kissing you and driving you nuts. We all miss you baby and I want to thank you for always being a good dog. You were not just a family pet
but our best friend as well.

You rest now with God I know that God will always take care of you. Your in good company with Rusty and we send you both lots of kisses and hugs. We will all meet up together again someday Canei and know you will always
live in our hearts forever.

We love you Canei.

Mommy Daddy & Nana

Canei
24, June 2001
Raelene

Dear Lakota,

We had a beautiful 15 years together didn’t we. I definitely wanted more time with you, but I can’t be selfish, as God gave us so many truly wonderful beautiful years together. I will be forever grateful for all the time he gave us. Oh Cody, my precious little girl, you are so missed and loved. Nana and I miss you terribly, but we know you’ve been reunited with your sister Miracle, and we know you two are playing together right now. I bet that reunion was so wondrous! The day Nana and I put you to sleep, I put my face on your head, and when I did this, I seen you and Miracle as clear as day. It was like Miracle came down from Heaven to get you, she came instantaneously, and I know this was such a blessing from God. Oh how Miracle adored you, she looked up to you so much, and she loved you so much…..you were a wonderful sister to her, and taught her many things….

We had so many good times together, and you were, and always will be, my agility queen. You were a champion, and you won so many ribbons, and you were so fast, so agile, and you were quick to learn the agility course and everything for that matter that I taught you. You were so smart, so very smart. You were Lab/Beagle mix, and during agility tournaments, the snooty people at the tournaments would look at us like yeah right, what is that dog going to do. That’s a mutt, well, I’m here to tell the world, my “mutt” beat their dogs’ butts on that course, and they NEVER underestimated YOU again… I remember the first tournament you won. It was in Port Byron, NY, and Nana and I took you, and we stayed overnight. You came in first place, and you won your first ribbon, and you won a stuffed animal. Oh Cody, you were so proud of that stuffed animal, you kept that stuffed animal in your mouth the whole car ride home, I will never forget that, and I have pictures of it that I will cherish forever. You loved the agility equipment Nana and Pa made for you, and your backyard was like its own agility course when I set it up. Oh Cody, when I think of you, I just smile, and I’m so thankful for all the years we had together. When we adopted Miracle, we gave up the tournaments and just stuck to doing agility at the house, and I’m glad, as you and Miracle really enjoyed it at home, instead of those tournaments.

Nana surprised me, and adopted you from the animal shelter, and when I came home from work, we were having dinner, and she slid over your paperwork and tail to me at dinner time. I remember this like yesterday, and I went right to the store and bought you what you needed as you were NOT sleeping one more night in that place. I will NEVER forget when we seen each other, you wagged your tail so happily and you were like looking at a slice of Heaven. We bonded instantly, and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. You were and always will be my baby girl, my precious little Cody. You never left my side when I was sick. We went through so much together and I only have good, beautiful, fond memories of you…..and oh yes, I’ll never forget how you LOVED to dig, we still have some holes that you dug…..I think of it now and it makes me sad, but happy at the same time…..mommy would go and fill the holes, and you would just make another……that’s where your name “mud pie” came from, and how you loved to eat the mud…..you were so funny Cody……so, so, so sweet and loving……

Our agility time, oh how that was “our” time. I miss seeing you run the agility course, and as you grew old, you still did agility up until you were about 14 or so. Everyone was amazed at how you’d still soar and jump over the jumps. I decided to “retire” you at about 14, which, is amazing. Oh Cody, you and your kong, you loved your kong. We’d play with it after agility and when you were a pup and even older, I would play the kong monster with you outside, and I’d chase you and you would grab it and run and run. I close my eyes and I can see you run right now. It’s a memory that I will cherish forever, you running and being free of any arthritis.

You, Miracle and Nana and I had so many beautiful holidays together. Christmas morning was one of my favorites, as you and Miracle would tear through your gifts and start chomping on your new bones. You were spoiled pups, and I’d have it no other way. Halloween was great as well, and over the years you were a hippopotamus, a sailor, a bee, an elephant, a skunk, a fireman, a doctor, a pumpkin, a princess, a teddy bear, Batwoman, an Uncle Sam, Wonderwoman, Cookie Monster, a sunflower, a Unicorn, a clown, a little witch, a butterfly, the Pope and a lady bug…oh how you and Miracle looked so cute decked out for Halloween! Such good pups because you never fussed.

Oh Cody, how you’re ever so missed, and it was such an honor to watch you grow old. Every Sunday evening, Nana would give you pasta, you and Miracle were our little Italian dogs. Nana was so good to you both. She bought you and Miracle your thunder shirts, and you both did wear them when it thundered out. I have kept them, and I will smell them often to smell your scent, gosh, I miss your scent, how I loved yours and Miracle’s scents. The both of you smelled so nice. When your sister passed away, the first Christmas it was just you, Nana, and me, and of course Miracle was here in our hearts, but Nana bought you Stuffy dog, and I will never forget how you cried when we opened Nana’s gift for YOU. You LOVED your Stuffy, and every other stuffed animal you ever had, you tore up, but NOT Stuffy. You loved your Stuffy and slept with him always……

I remember how you loved to get in trouble with tissues, or anything you could get your little paws on. Especially paper products, tissues, napkins, paper towels, etc. You would sneak in our bedroom and eat them, what the heck were you thinking……heehee……you were so cute, so, so cute I could eat you up. I had many names for you….Cody, “Cody Wody”, Mud Pie, Monkey, Weasel, Peacoat, Zazso, and I’d always call you my “Buddy”. You were my little “Buddy”, and always will be. You got into some trouble, but nothing major, and I remember how Miracle would ring the bell when you were in trouble, and you didn’t even care, you just did your thing.

You had the sweetest little face, and when you grew old, the gray around your face was in the shape of a heart. We got SO many compliments on your beautiful little heart shaped face. You were so loving and so caring. Through the years, with all my surgeries, and with my MS, you never left my side. You were right there no matter what. I have so many fond memories of you Cody, and you and Miracle, NEVER let me down not one time, not once. You were the best dog I could have ever asked for. You slept with me every night, and I miss so much you sleeping right along side my leg. You would get in bed, and push, push, push my legs and my body over just enough until you were comfortable, and you would fall asleep. I now sleep with Stuffy, as you and Miracle are no longer here “physically” with me, but I know you both will live on in my heart forever. We were blessed to have Dr. Brummer (Uncle Dave) as our vet; he treated you girls with such love, care, compassion and devotion. He was excellent to you both, and we’ll never find a better vet in all our journeys.

I remember how you enjoyed and loved your car rides, you girls loved them. You would stand on the ledge of the car door, and just put your head out the window and smell and smell, oh you loved to smell. That was the Beagle in you, nosey little thing you were, but your nose never failed you. Although your hearing starting going, and it was practically gone, your nose still was fully intact. When the sunlight hit you, gosh what a beautiful sight you were my baby girl. Our walks you enjoyed too, and if you had it your way on our daily walks, you would have just smelled the whole walk, and not gotten any exercise in. You were funny, and a stubborn little doggy. Again, the stubbornness had to come from the Beagle in you.

I bet Heaven is gorgeous, and Cody, the day you passed to be with Jesus, and to return home, what brought me great comfort was this. There is NO place on this earth that is better than being with Jesus. Hands down, being with Jesus is the best place you could be. It’s never our loved ones that hurt when their by Jesus’s side, it’s the ones who are left behind who hurt. But, “To Live in the Hearts We Leave Behind, is NOT to Die”, and I believe that with all my heart and soul. I truly do. I know you were welcomed by your Baby Miracle right away, as I told you earlier, I seen her come to get you that fateful day, Miracle was right by your side. I know you were greeted by the King himself, and of course along with Miracle (as she came to get you), Katie, Canei, and Nana’s old boy Duke, along with Rusty. I bet your playing with them now. You have come to me in my dreams, I have had two dreams now of white feathers, and I know it’s your way of telling me, “mommy, I’m okay, I’m playing with Miracle, see you soon”, and I will see you soon my sweet Cody, for life’s journey is quick.

I miss kissing you, and talking to you, and walking with you and taking you for rides, just everything about you. I can’t wait to touch your trusting face again, and to give you kisses and hugs, and we will NEVER be separated again on the day we will be reunited. What a sweet day this will be for us. I love you so much my “Lakota Lynn”. You will be forever in our hearts.

Love you my precious Lakota,
Mommy & Nana

“Lakota Lynn” Christian 4/7/04-8/29/19

“Cody”

Oh Cody, my precious little agility queen
As soon as I got your equipment out, boy how you’d beam

You were so smart, so fast, so agile and a champ
For surely no one would ever think you’d need a ramp

A ramp came way later in life for you, thank God above
Cause when you were on the agility course, you soared like a dove

You won so many ribbons and conquered each agility course
You would take the agility jumps like a leaping horse

You were bright, beautiful, and like a ray of sunshine
You always were, always will be, for eternity, all mine

You knew so many tricks, and so smart to catch on quick
For every trick, I’d give you a treat, and you’d lick and lick

You were such a good dog, and loved our touch
And will always be missed ever so much

You were so loyal, so protective and so strong
For nothing you did could ever be wrong

We shared so many good times and laughs together
You by my side, there was nothing I couldn’t weather

You brought us such joy, such love such care
Us together, we were always the best, best pair

You stood so beautiful and with such pride
And when you got into something, you’d always hide

You were a classic, a joy, and an honor to watch you grow old
And on that fateful day, all I knew to do with you was gently hold

Hold you tight and let you know, Nana and I were there
For seeing you struggle we could no longer bear

You were my best friend, and I adored you so much
Oh my precious Cody, how I miss your touch

God gave us 15 beautiful years to share
When I think of your passing, my heart has a tear

You’re now back with God, where you belong
Oh how I remember how you loved your kong

I love you my Cody, with all my heart, always remember this
I can’t wait till the day we meet again to give you a big kiss

The day we meet again, will be such a delight
I will pull you close to me and hold you so tight

Remember this Cody, until we meet again, you will live on in my heart
And the day we’re reunited, we will never, ever, again be apart

Love you my baby girl,
Mommy

Dear Miracle,

We had a beautiful 9 1/2 years together; I definitely wanted more time with you. I can’t be selfish though, as God granted me all the years with you as he did, I will be forever grateful. Nana, Cody and I miss you terribly.

You lived up to your name…..first, your mom survived Hurricane Katrina, and you survived the truck trip up to New York from Mississippi like a champ. While you were at the Lollypop Farm waiting to be adopted, you survived a parvo outbreak. With my MS, you never left my side. I miss our talks, and your understanding ears, and you always consoling me, no matter what it was, you never left my side…I remember when I started a new shot, and how sick the first dose made me, and I shook and was so cold in my bed, you never left…..not even for a second. You were God sent Miracle. You were just a Miracle in so many ways.

We had so many good times together, and every time I think of you, I just smile. Oh our walks, that was “our” time together, and how you enjoyed your walks. I miss them so much. You walked so proud, and you pranced like a stallion, you walked so nice. You were awesome at agility and so smart to catch on and learn everything I taught you. If we would have competed at tournaments, you would have won many, I guarantee it. Boy oh boy could you jump and just soar. You loved your table that Pa made for you girls, and he never forgot you at Christmas, he would always buy you treats. We had many good rides together, and just beautiful holidays. Christmas morning was one of my favorites…..you and Cody were ever so excited to open your gifts. You couldn’t get them opened fast enough. Halloween was great because over the years you were a pirate, a little witch, a pumpkin, a dinosaur, a doctor, a fireman, a bumble bee, a skeleton and a princess. You and Cody always stood so nice and let me put your outfits on….such good dogs, because you never fussed.

I remember how you’d purr when Nana and I would pet your face while you were sleeping. You purred with pure contentment. It was so sweet and oh how I miss that sound, it was music to my ears. I miss all your hair all over….boy you’d shed, especially when it thundered out. You couldn’t stand it. I heard thunder the other day, and I said to you, “See Miracle, you see what thunder is now”, all that worrying for nothing. Nana loved you so much, she bought you girls the thunder shirts, and they did make a difference. She was always so good to you girls. When we would have pasta on Saturday night, she would always give you and Cody some. You and Cody were our little Italian dogs.

I miss you grabbing and biting at the vacuum cleaner, you were always so funny with that. I miss how when we’d change the beds and you decided to jump on the bed right in the middle of us changing the beds and we’d have to tell you a bunch of times to get off……

I had so many names for you too….I would call you my baby Miracle, monkey, weasel, lamb chop and mud pie. I would love when you would put your paw up on our hands to embrace our touch. You could never get enough of us, and we could never get enough of you. I miss touching your face, and caressing your face. You had the sweetest face, and you were just so sweet Miracle. There has not been a day that has gone by that I haven’t thought of you. I will forever think of you and pray for you everyday. Nana and Cody miss you so much. Nana and I miss how you’d come into the bathroom and just walk in to give us kisses and if to say, “Just checking on you, love you”.

You had a way about you Miracle that was irresistible…….you were the best dog I could have ever asked for. We were blessed to have Dr. Brummer (Uncle Dave) as our vet; he treated you with such care. I laugh and smile when I think of when Lakota would be getting into something, and you’d ring the bell to snitch on her. Almost as if to say I want no part of that Cody, you’re on your own sister. You had the best personality, and your colors were beautiful. Boy you were a fast runner. You’d run full steam, and then turn real quick, and then you’d try to herd Cody. That was the Australian Cattle in you….I remember how fast you were and when that squirrel came into your yard, you weren’t haven’t it, and you killed the poor little thing. You wouldn’t tolerate squirrels and sometimes birds in your yard, you’d chase them out.

I remember how you loved rides in the car….I wouldn’t let you stick your whole head out the window, so I would leave it open enough for you and Cody to just enjoy the smells outside, and you would just lay back on the seat and stick your nose out the window and just smell….when the sunlight would hit you just right, what a beautiful sight you were my baby girl. I bet Heaven is beautiful, and I know you were welcomed by the King himself, and of course along with Katie and Canei along with Nana’s old boy Duke. I bet your playing with them right now….and having a riot. Soon I will be with you, life’s journey is quick.

I truly can’t wait to look into your trusting eyes and touch your beautiful face again and hug you so tight and I will be able to hear you purring again, and we will never be separated again….. Then I will be able to hear your purr forever….a sound I will never, never outgrow. I love you so much my “Miracle Rose”. You will be forever in our hearts.

“Miracle”

Sweet sweet Miracle….from the day we received your diagnosis
I prayed so very hard….for a real good prognosis

You were the best dog I could have ever asked for
You gave us so many laughs, surely never a bore

Such personality and so much love for life
Surely no one could tell about this cancer strife

You were so happy and never left my side
You wouldn’t have left me in a high tide

The love you gave was so immense
It never wavered or was never dense

You were amazing, so resilient and strong
No matter what you did, it was never wrong

You were truly a Miracle in so many ways
When I think of you now, I see sunshine rays

Hurricane Katrina your mom survived
As a little pup you continued to strive

You survived a parvo outbreak as well
I thank God I am able and here to tell

To tell your story and the love I have for you
And I know baby girl….you love me too

You fought this cancer like a true fighter
The day I had to let you go, I couldn’t of held on any tighter

I miss you so much, and I know your now with God
I know I did the right thing when I got Dr. Brummer’s nod

I prayed hard everyday for a miracle to rush in like the tide
Then I realized, God already gave me my Miracle, you were right by my side