Author: Carole

Two Christmas’ ago my grandad brought me and my 2 bruv’s
a hamster each as I had always wanted!
I was so happy I’d play with them every minute of the day!
I’d count them as MY hamsters cos my bruv’s paid no attention to them.
When days went on I started to pay less and less attention to them.
Of course I loved them but never really showed it.

Until 3 March 2002 one of them called Georgina became ill.
Her eyes wouldn’t open and I found her lying
on her back in her cage trying to breath.
I grabbed her hugging her every minute
telling her I loved her no matter what
but it didn’t help ease my pain or hers.
I prayed for her to be better.
I later found out she was dying from wet tail.

I was so upset. I never knew how much she meant to me
until it came to this.
My mum said if wasn’t dead by the next day
it would have to be put down with a needle.
I was really mad and angry she had to go
but in away it was for the best as we would be putting her out of her misery.

I slept with her that night checking on her ever minute
knowing she would have to go but some how not believing it.
That day we took her to the vet.
It was the worst day ever for me.

We buried her in my garden and I always cry for her.
Many people would say ‘it’s just a hamster’ but to me its not.
I want her to know that I love her dearly and will never forget her.
I love you Georgina
xxxxxxx

From your mummy

Danielle

This is a story of our four legged son Charlie.
What a beautiful black and white ball of fur he was.
He was kind enough to let us live in the house with him.
He never knew that he wasn’t human.
For all of his fifteen years he never touched cat food
only human food would be good enough for him.

His Mom ole Ma Cat we called her
showed up on our door step one day
just about ready to have kittens
so we took her in and loved and fed her.
Charlie was born on our patio and he stole our heart from day one.
What a joy he was and how we do miss him still and always will.

He even has his own web page
if you care to see his picture and read his poem on his page.
Bless you one and all that have lost your furry friends.
It is an awesome burden
you carry in your heart always.

Sincerely,

Katherine
http://www.moonseeker.com/Charlie.html

I sit here looking at your urn and still find it hard to believe
you aren’t sniffing at my leg instead of in a box next to the computer.
When I got you I was a struggling college student.
I went to pick you out and put down a deposit.
I couldn’t wait the two weeks until I got paid so I rolled pennies
until I could get the last 100.00 for you.

You were kidnapped twice and the second time almost killed you
when my ex-husband treated you badly.
It was always you and me against the world.
When I was in danger of being beaten by a husband
you got in between us and looked at him pleadingly and prevented it.

You were the sweetest dog never having bitten anyone.
And you were very mischievous and fun also.
Now late at night when I come in from work
I miss having you sniff your way to me as I change my clothes.
You were blind and almost deaf but you could find me
with no problem as soon as I came home.
I wish I would have held you when you died.
But whenever one of us touched you you seemed to take off running.
But maybe in the end you wanted me
and I just sat like a coward 5 feet away.

Part of me died when you did,
it is as if the joy has left my life and left an empty pit in its place.
Chloe our other dog and I are now becoming friends.
I realize I never gave my heart to her out of loyalty to you.
She seems to be more ancy during the day
without you in the house and barks nonstop.
But at the same time she seems happy because
now I seem to shower her with love.
Kind of ironic because right after you died
I didn’t want her anywhere near me.

I know you are waiting up there for me girl.
When it is my time you will make the transition easier for me and
then we will never be separated again.
I miss you so much it is killing me.

All my love,

Mom/Julie

This is a letter from DINgo to Betty.
DINgo was killed by a car when he left his safe yard
for some unknown reason.
He had been living on a small horse ranch in Ramona with 3 of my friends.
My friends Bill Selena and Betty had been taking care of DINgo
for the past 6 months and
I would visit him a couple of times a week.
He had the most perfect setup a dog could have.
The dogs he mentions in his letter are either
were his current playmates
Austin the Lab Lucy the Chihuahua and
Chelsea the old German Shepherd.
Harley Tausha and Brandy were previous dogs
that had the pleasure of living up there.

Brandy and Tausha lived many years and succumbed
to old age while Harley decided to go
after some livestock one afternoon and
paid the ultimate price.
Betty was the one who devoted herself to the dog’s well-being and
I can’t ever thank her for all she did for my DINgo.

I made a mistake today. I left the yard.
I know I am not supposed but I am a dog and sometimes I don’t listen.
Something bad happened and now I am somewhere else.
It seems like a nice place and some of the dogs
here seem to know where I came from.

Right when I arrived I was met by Brandy Tasha and Harley.
They seemed to know about all the people I knew.
They asked about Bill and Selena and
I told them that they were doing great and
had a wonderful little baby Alexa
that I had the responsibility of guarding.
They asked how Chelsea was.
I asked them if she has always been a mean little dog.
They said yes so I told them she hasn’t changed a bit.
They asked me what my name was and I told them I go by SuperDINgo.
Tasha looked at me and asked if I knew Betty.
I said “of course why do you think I look so happy”.
Tasha then said if I knew Betty
then I should have been going by the name LuckyDINgo.
I thought about this. I have been living on a one-acre parcel that
I have been the top dog of.
(Lucy can tell them the truth many years from now).
I have three of the best dog friends
a SuperDINgo could have in Austin Chelsea and Lucy.
(Not quite true but I am giving Lucy the benefit of the doubt)
I get fed twice a day.

They asked if I was getting warm broth poured over my food.
I told them of course doesn’t all dog food get served that way.
I told them how Betty drives me
around everyday so I get bark
at every moving or nonmoving object I see.

I have my own heater in the garage so that I am warm at night
even when the temperature dips down to freezing.
Every night Betty would let me sit on her lap till I was ready to go to sleep.
In the mornings after breakfast I would help Betty
with feeding the giant brown dog thing that lives in the corral.
While she is doing this I playfully put my tennis ball
where she is going to step so that she knows
I need to play fetch soon.
She always seems to like that.
She always seems to make time to play fetch;
sometimes I think that she enjoys it more than me.
I mean it does get kind of boring for me to keep returning that damn ball to her.
But if it makes her happy then I do what I can do.

I have been heavily involved in the construction of the addition
Bill has been doing to the house.
Nick (they seemed to vaguely remember him) has been digging these holes
everywhere and tying strings across them.
I think he has been trying to make Bill trip
so I have been trying to fill them in and
remove the strings so as Bill doesn’t get hurt.
Bill seems to appreciate this.

Dogs just know when people appreciate them.
During the night I am in charge of security.
So that Bill Selena and Betty know that I am doing my job
I let out an occasional bark.
I try to do this every 2 minutes so that they can sleep easy
knowing the all is safe on my watch.
Sometimes Bill or Selena come out to the garage
to thank me in the middle of the night. I get so happy to see them.
They use the funniest gestures towards me.
I am allowed to use the garage as an inside restroom
at night but I don’t.

My buddy Austin seems to think that he is not allowed to use
the outside restroom and makes a heck of a mess inside the garage.
I sometimes take the blame for what he leaves on the garage floor.
But that’s what friends are for.

I am in charge of the property and Austin is in charge of all the cars.
At least that is what I figure because he keeps peeing on all their tires.
I get blamed for that too.
One thing Bill Selena and Betty don’t seem to understand is physics.
Do they really think a dog my size could have produced
some of the messes in the garage?

Do they really think that a dog that knew how to catch chickens
without going over the property line would pee on a tire?
When I mentioned chickens Harley’s ears perked.
He said “You found a way to catch them without going over the property line?
I could have used you for a partner a while back”. !
I thought over the life I have been leading and realized Tasha was right.
Why the heck has Nick been calling me SuperDINgo?
I was definitely LuckyDINgo.

I am sorry about what I did today.
I made a mistake. I know that you guys are going to miss me.
I want you to know how much I am already missing you.
They seem to have everything here.
There is food all the time.
There is some guy who is constantly throwing Frisbees.
We are allowed to pee on everything.
The water dish is always full.
It is in the shape of a toilet which I don’t get.
It seems to be an “inside dog” joke.

There are no cats here to bother us
even though I actually like cats.
It is a wonderful place.
But it is has nothing on my last home and
it has nothing on you guys.
Here I will be called SuperDINgo
but there I was definitely LuckyDINgo.

Nick

Rudy (he was called Rudy because we got him at Christmas
Rudy is short for Rudolf) was our beloved black and white cat .
Although he was only 3-4 months old
we loved him more than anything.

The night of his death mum went to bring him inside for the night.
She called his name and he made a strange meow
but didn’t come so she called again and he made the strange noise.
When she found him he was lying down on the ground and
he lifted up his head and meowed again.

Mum rushed him down to the 24 hour vet which is quite a long trip and
by the time she got to the vet he was dead.
The vet said that a snake had bitten Rudy.
I will remember Rudy as a cute playful kitten
who loved people and wanted to be around them.
I will also remember that he ate two lots of breakfast that morning.
The last time I saw Rudy was when he brushed up against my leg
while I was at the computer while he was chasing a ball.
I loved Rudy and he loved us.
Rudy you will be forever in our hearts.
I will always remember you Rudy.

Simon

His name was Buster Brown.
He is the best dog our family has ever had.
He watched over our family and loved us like no other dog did.
He was the kind of dog
that would sacrifice himself for his family.
He would always be there for you when you needed him
and was very obeying.
 
Since he was a little puppy
he was always passionate to us.
He never did anything to harm us and he protected us very well.
He died on June 14th 2001
a extremely very very sad day for our family.
He was more than just a dog
he was part of our family just like everyone else in the family.
 
We are incredibly sad that we did not have a burial for him.
We would just like to say this to him
if he is listening up in heaven
“Buster Brown you were more than a man’s friend
you were part of our family and we loved you dearly
more than you would ever know.
You are the best dog we have ever had and you always will be.
We are so sorry we did not have a memorial
for you in our backyard. We feel extremely terrible about it.
We know you’re now up in heaven looking down on us
and we want to let you know that we love you
with all our hearts
and we will always will.
Love you Dearly”
 
David Tilly Sean and Shannon

Nicky is a Maltese.
He was born on 8th of August 1990.
I knew for the moment I saw him
he was the one for my family.
He was so cute and sweet easily catching our attention.
We knew that he was the one for our family.
We had him when he was only 2+ months old.
 
Nicky was very tiny.
I remembered the first time when my mother bathed him.
We were so scared because he was so small.
Despite his petite size
he was so brave always loyal and protective of us.
Nicky liked to chase after his favourite ball.
One of his favourite games was for me
to throw his ball
and he will run to fetch his ball and put it on my palm
and run far away for me
to throw his ball to him again.

He often mistaken the meaning of “Mama” & “Ball-ball”.
Many times when I asked him
“Where’s mama?”
he will run and fetch his ball to me.
However as he is the apple of my mother’s eyes
my mother still loves him as much,
despite the fact that she is often mixed-up with his ball.
 

Nicky is our family Angel
always smiling and always staying
with us despite of the fact that he had heart problems since young.
We knew that something was wrong with him when he
started losing weight at an alarming rate.
He was all skin and bones.
Our vet recommended that we brought him to the
animals’ hospital for a check-up. We had thought that he was
just losing weight because he had not been eating well.
 

However we knew that Nicky will be leaving us soon
when the vet said to us that he only had around 3 weeks to live.
Nicky was 10 years old and going towards heart failure.
Nicky had lived past the 3 weeks
but on the 5th week his body began to shut down food.
It was even too tiring for him to get up and drink water.
We had to feed him water to keep him going.
He could only lie down to sleep and rest
and yet he still gave us a loving and longing look each time
we look and pat his head.
My heart aches so much.
 
My family knew that Nicky will be leaving us anytime
and we spent every possible moment with him.
My mother told me that if one day
Nicky was to sleep & never wake up
she asked me not to disturb him
and let him have a peaceful sleep as he is really very tired.
 
Nicky’s passed away peacefully
in my room’s bathroom on 17th July 2001.
I was the first one to find Nicky had passed away
on my bathroom’s floor when I came back from work.
How I wished the floor will open up to swallow me at that moment.
My bathroom was his favourite place to be
when he was still alive.
He had to choose to leave us silently
fearing that we will be heartbroken had
he left this world in front of us.
 
Nicky was such a brave and sweet boy.
He had been determined to live past the 3 weeks which the vet
had estimated and never fearful in the face of death.
Nicky is still with us. He had never left us.
He is with us in our hearts.
We can feel him around us,
looking at us and guiding us all this while.
He was never gone even though we cannot see him
but he will always remain in our heart.
Nicky lives forever in our heart.

Nicky is at Rainbow Bridge now.
I miss Nicky often and think of him very much.
The song by Kevin Kern,
“In the Enchanted Garden” seem to fit in nicely.
I like to imagine that Rainbow Bridge looks exactly
like the Enchanted Garden.
 
It had been nearly 8 months since Nicky passed away.
I almost always cry overtime I think of him.
He had been with us for nearly 11 years.
The memory of the time spent with him
will be with my family forever.
Between now and till the time I can be with Nicky again
at Rainbow Bridge
I will be loving and missing him always.
 
June
 
 
 
 

I remember playing with our friends Siamese cat Jessie
when we would visit.
I grew to enjoy Jessie more each time we would visit.
She was an old gentle
well-behaved cat that really appreciated attention.
Jessie was an important member of Arnold’s family
because the middle-aged couple had no children.
I grew to enjoy Jessie so much
that I decided to purchase our own Siamese cat.
At first I was a little apprehensive about selecting a Siamese cat
because our family always preferred dogs.
Then I thought it over and decided it was well worth the chance
after remembering how much I enjoyed Jessie’s friendship
and our time together.

I searched for a Siamese cat
by looking at different magazines and publications.
I located a breeder of Siamese cats
in a small suburban town called Montvale.
Montvale is approximately a 2-hour drive
from our central New Jersey location.
I called the cat breeder and planned the trip
to select our Siamese cat.
My sister and niece went along with me for the ride.
The breeder’s name was Irene.
Irene’s home was pleasant and neat.
I remember Irene being very personable and friendly.
She talked with us for a while and then introduced us
downstairs to see the cats.

I was amazed! There were dozens of beautiful cats!
There were Seal Points Chocolate Points and all white Lilac Points.
The room was very clean and full of joy.
There were gorgeous adults and
many adorable Siamese kittens.
I was in heaven!
I remember the cats all being very friendly and gentle.
You could tell Irene and her family spent
quality time caring for the animals.
It was difficult to decide what kitten to choose.
All of them were so attractive and well mannered.
I tried to select a female kitten but none were available.
Finally I chose a chocolate-point male kitten.
Irene assigned a temporary name to each kitten.
My kitten’s temporary name was “Moose.”
I decided to name my new kitten “Sam.”
My grandfather’s name was “Sabatino” which is Italian for Sam.
I thought this would be a good one-syllable name for our cat.

Sam was almost all white as a kitten.
His beautiful blue Siamese eyes were striking.
I truly think Siamese cats have the most magnificent eyes
of any creature including humans.
Siamese cats impress me with their beauty.
In my opinion the most beautiful is the classic Chocolate Point.
They are mostly a light tan color with brown tail legs and face.

I paid Irene $300 for Sam.
We prepared to take Sam home and started off on our 2-hour journey.
All of us got into the car and
we placed Sam in a small cardboard box.
I can still remember Sam crying all of the way home.
It was a soft short cry that you couldn’t ignore.
My niece Michele consoled Sam while I drove the car.
She picked up Sam and gave him a gentle pat of her hand.
“Now now Sam It’ll be alright” said Michele.
I couldn’t wait to get my new family member home and
get acquainted.

Sam was never any trouble growing up.
One year after we purchased Sam our son Stephen was born.
Now I had everything I needed
a beautiful one-year-old Siamese cat and my pride and joy Stephen.
Sam grew very close to our son Stephen.
When Stephen was in his crib
Sam would jump in and cuddle close by.
Sam was always gentle with young Stephen and
we were never concerned about the two
of them snuggling together.

The years passed and Sam and Stephen grew up together.
Sam was always a part of Stephen’s life.
It seemed like both of them learned something new each day.
Sam loved to play with a ball of paper.
He would hit it with his paws and chase the ball across the room.
Stephen would throw the paper ball and
Sam would retrieve it to be thrown again and again.
They could both play for hours when Sam was young.

One of the funniest moments was when Sam climbed
atop my tall dresser and snatched a $100 bill from my organizer.
Sam ran around the house and decided to release the bill
behind the living room sofa. I couldn’t believe it!

Another favorite play toy Sam enjoyed was the plastic strip
that is removed from a gallon container of milk.
Sam would hit the strip with his paws and
return it to you so you could throw it again.
The charade always ended the same way.
Sam would eventually take the plastic milk top strip
to the kitchen and
hit it under the refrigerator.
I would move the refrigerator out of its location to clean and
find scores of plastic strips in the area.
It was fun watching Sam as you opened
a new gallon container of milk.
He would sit and wait for you to throw the strip.
Anytime an open box or bag was nearby
you knew Sam would be close by.
He loved to leap into the box and take a look around.
If a paper or plastic bag were left on the floor
Sam would eagerly wonder inside and look around.
If you wiggled your fingers against the outside of the bag
he would jump toward them and try to nip them.

Sam always slept with me until we purchased a small bed for him.
The bed was shaped like a small teepee and
had a small opening on one side.
We kept Sam’s bed on the cedar chest at the foot of our bed.
The inside of the bed was soft and Sam grew to appreciate
the warmth inside the private space.
If you placed your intruding fingers inside sometimes
Sam would give you a gentle nip warning you
that this was his territory.
It was a playful kind of nip that never really hurt.
Each night Sam would curl up with me for about one or two hours
then he’d visit my mother for a time.
After visiting mother for about thirty minutes to an hour
Sam would then retire to his own bed.

I remember the times when one of us was sick.
It would always be comforting to have Sam
cuddle tightly against your side or near your arm.
He just made you feel better by being there.
It was Sam’s unconditional love that just made you feel better.
He asked nothing from you but your presence.
He was like a tranquilizer to me.
Whenever he cuddled with me the worries and
stress of the day simply vanished.
My mother and I were always the closest to Sam.

When Stephen was very young he was active and
didn’t concentrate on Sam as much.
As Stephen neared ten years old
he seemed to appreciate Sam and paid more attention to our pet.
Stephen and Sam became especially close
as Stephen become eleven years old and Sam was twelve.

Sam would greet me every day when I’d come home from work.
Sam definitely new his name and would almost always
come when you called him.
He would leave his warm bed at about 4:00PM and
say hello to my mother in the Family Room.
He would cuddle on her lap and then jump to the sofa to greet me.
Sam would raise his back and
his body language would request you pet him.
I would proceed upstairs to get changed and
Sam would race me up the steps.
Then he would spring onto our bed and want to play.
He would follow us around the house like a shadow.
You could always feel him nearby.

Sam was like a clock.
You would always know when it was mealtime.
In the morning he would greet me at about 6:00AM.
Sometimes he would awake you with a lick
from his rough sandpaper like tongue.
He’d say hello and then follow me into the bathroom.
He would sit atop the toilet seat cover and watch me shower and shave.
Then once I dressed he’d follow me downstairs and
sound his typical raspy ‘meow’
which was his way of asking for breakfast.

When I would leave in the morning
sometimes Sam would sit in the full view glass
front door and watch me depart.
He was truly special.
Anytime you were fixing or working on something Sam would appear.
He would come up to you as if to say “What are you doing?”
It was a classic case of curiosity and the cat.
Walking around the house I always found myself
looking down at my feet periodically to see if Sam was near.

If I worked on repairing frustrating miniature Christmas lights
he would jump on the workbench to see what I was doing.
I’d always stop and take time to fuss over him and
give him a scratch and petting session.

Sam never left our comfortable home
so his coat was always clean and soft like silk.
I liked to sit and watch him groom himself in a warm sunny place.
He would reach every area of his body.
Sam would lick his paws to reach areas around his face.
His movements were precise and gentle.

During one warm and dry summer
I saw a small speck on his tan fur coat.
What was this small-black thing?
It jumped and I tried to catch it. Somehow Sam had a flea in his fur.
I want to the store and purchased a quality flea shampoo and
gave Sam a careful bath in the solution.
Once his fur was wet I observed the flea jump from his fur.
I was able to grasp the flea and flushed him down the drain.
Sam was always a joy to handle.
Even in the tub of water he was calm and behaved.

One of Sam’s favorite playthings was a ready-made bow
for attaching to gift-wrapped presents.
Christmas time was special with Sam.
He would inspect every present and take the liberty of removing
the nice bow from a present carefully wrapped by my wife.
Boy this made Denise mad at first.
Then she started to actually enjoy watching him play with the bows.
Denise would provide bows to Sam to toss and play with.
It was entertaining having Sam toss the bow around and
then deliver it to you from his delicate mouth.
I would throw the bow and he would scurry
after it and toss it about.
I will sorely miss Sam at Christmas time.
Sam would investigate the presents and parade
through the ripped gift-wrap discarded on the floor.

The only mischief I recall from Sam were the few times
he would get into the garbage container.
If we had chicken for dinner he would sit nearby and
wait for a chunk of meat to come his way.
After we would retire for bed
he would knock over the garbage container to dislodge the lid.
If you caught him with a piece of chicken bone
he would make a wild dash for the corner
of the kitchen under the built-in bench seat.
He would hide in the corner of the seating arrangement
until you relented.
Access to this area was easy for Sam
but difficult for us to reach.
We would find old clean bones in this area
when we inspected it periodically.

When Sam was about ten years old
we really experienced some excitement one night.
“Daddy Daddy come up here!” yelled Stephen.
“Help help Sam is behind the wall in the bathroom!”
When the builder constructed our home
he cut out a large opening in the back
of each vanity sink cabinet in all of the bathrooms.
This provided access to the plumbing and
resulted in a long narrow deep path between the walls.
Sam had opened the cabinet door and
wandered into the open area behind the bathroom wall.
Stephen was crying and very upset.
I also started to get excited and thoughts of the firemen
knocking down my walls to rescue Sam entered my mind.
“Sam here kitty-kitty. Come here Sam,”
I said as I begged him to exit the dark and narrow pathway.
Boy I really thought this was trouble.
Finally I thought of shaking Sam’s dry food container and
he slowly appeared from behind the vanity cabinet.
I cut boards and sealed this area behind
each vanity the very next day!

Sam liked to follow you around the house
especially in the kitchen.
One of his favorite stunts was
to open the corner cabinet door and climb inside.
Once inside he would go to the back of the large cabinet and
tease you to reach him.
If you ignored him he would eventually come out.

Every time we would go away on vacation
I’d dread leaving my best friend Sam.
We would have our friends feed and watch over
Sam while we were away.
When we would return home Sam would come downstairs and
give us his famous howling greeting.
One thing I never tired of was the beautiful sounds Sam could make.
From his raspy meow greeting to his louder howls
he was always a joy to hear.

We recently went on vacation to Cape Cod Massachusetts
during the summer of 2001.
We returned just before July 4th and
everyone was happy to see Sam again.
Little was I to know; I’d never forget this vacation.
A few weeks before we left on vacation
Sam started to be finicky and
was only eating certain food.
I switched foods because
he seemed to prefer dry crunchy cat food.
Then he stopped eating altogether.
I made an appointment to take him to our favorite cattery
so the veterinarian could check him out.

I have to stop writing this story now.
The emotion overcomes me when I reach this point of the tale.
I had an appointment to see our veterinarian on July 20 2001.
Mom Stephen and I brought Sam to the vet.
I had been delaying this moment
because I was worried what I might hear.
We placed Sam in his carrier with a small
soft blanket and got in the car.

Sam was fairly quiet and gave an occasional meow.
Stephen and Mom comforted Sam by reaching in the carrier to pet him.
“Now now Sam. I’ll be aright,” Stephen said.
I could tell Stephen was doing all he could to hold back the tears.
It was very had for all of us.
We arrived at the cattery and went inside.

The vet was very polite and kind.
She asked about Sam and told us
she would like to take a sample of Sam’s blood for testing.
She also mentioned Sam appeared to be dehydrated.
She demonstrated this by gentling squeezing Sam’s fur on his back and
showed us how it tended to stay folded even after releasing it.
Sam was drinking water but when I checked the litter box
he showed almost no signs of eating or drinking.

The vet explained that it is common for Siamese cats
to experience problems at Sam’s mature age of 13 and a half.
She mentioned the results of the blood test would be available
from the laboratory tomorrow at 9:30 AM.
She was blunt and expected the test results
to confirm her suspicion of kidney disease.
I don’t know how I held myself together at that point.
I just felt I had to be strong in front
of my twelve-year-old son Stephen.
Stephen and Sam had literally grown up together
with Sam being one year older.

Sam was always there for Stephen and
they had really gotten to be close over the last three years or so.
None of us had expected this day to arrive for another few years at least.
I made plans to put Sam down and also arranged for the cremation.
I wanted to make these arrangements now
because I didn’t want to discuss the technicalities
when I brought my best friend in the next day.
I figured if the lab results were good
I’d merely cancel the arrangements.

We drove back home with Sam and all of us fussed
over him all day and night.
I took as many photographs of Sam as possible.
Then I took a video of him playing with Stephen.
Sam didn’t act as if he were ill.
I filmed him crawling into a plastic shopping bag.
He rustled the bag when I wiggled my fingers against the plastic.
Even while he was sick Sam seemed like
he just wanted to please us.
The only time Sam showed he was ill was
when he tried to jump atop our cedar chest.
I spent every waking hour with my friend.
I had this sickening feeling about the news I’d receive on Saturday.
My stomach hurt beyond belief.
I have to stop typing this part of the story
every so often to gather myself.

This is the worst feeling I’ve had since the death of my father.
That Friday night I didn’t sleep well at all.
Sam curled inside my underarm as a lie down in bed.
It felt so good to have him near.
I had the sinking feeling it would be the last time
his beautiful soft body would be nestled near me.
It was painful to think I’d never see him again.
Sam awoke and wanted to go downstairs.
I carried him and thought he had to use his litter box.
I placed him near the box opening and he gently climbed inside.
When he exited I placed him in my arms and
brought him back upstairs to go to bed.

It was Saturday. The day I dreaded more than anything.
All of us spent as much time with Sam as possible.
I didn’t leave my friend for a moment.
I did not look forward to the call from the veterinarian
which I expected at 9:30 in the morning.
The phone rang and my stomach dropped.
Much to my dismay the call went like I expected.
The veterinarian explained a healthy kidney usually
is associated with a lab test number of two or so on the scale.
Sam’s kidneys showed a reading of fifteen on the test,
which meant his kidneys stopped working altogether.

I told the vet I wasn’t surprised and that I’d see her at 2:30 PM with Sam.
God I hated the thought of bringing Sam to the vet.
Somehow it felt as if I were killing him
even though I knew this was the right thing to do.
I spent almost every minute with Sam that terrible Saturday.
I kept hoping time would stand still.
I dreaded seeing the clock strike 2:30.
How could I bring my dear friend to the vet to be put to sleep?
Finally the time had come.
I decided to hold my friend while Denise drove the car.
Mom and Stephen sat in the back seat.
I was only a fifteen-minute ride to the veterinarian.
Sam was unsettled in the car.
We always placed Sam inside the carrier
when taking him in the car.

I just wanted to hold him this very last time.
We arrived at the office and waited for five or ten minutes.
This was about the worst experience I’ve lived through.
The staff greeted Mom Stephen and me and lead us to a room.
A stainless steel table was inside the room and
a bench was positioned nearby.
I continued to hold and caress my Sam all of the while.
I kissed and hugged him and said goodbye.
Even now when it has been more than four weeks later
I am upset thinking about this moment.
I’ll have to stop writing and continue the story again later.

The staff explained they would give Sam
an injection to send him into a deep sleep.
Then they would inject a drug to stop Sam’s heart.
I held Sam during the first injection.
He was relaxed and entered into a deep sleep.
Stephen and Mom wept and we all hugged Sam.
I held my dearest fried in my right arm and
felt his tongue against my forearm.
Then the staff injected Sam with the remaining drug.

It took about a minute or two and Sam’s heart stopped beating.
He was gone.
I felt terrible leaving my friend at the veterinarian’s office.
We all left the office and drove home.
My home feels like it will never be the same.
I’m in the habit of leaving the doors open in the house.
I expect Sam to jump against one and enter the room.
Even when I finish mixing a serving of tuna
I feel compelled to put the dish on the floor and
let Sam carefully lick the bowel clean.
Whenever I see a bright ray of sunlight hitting a spot
on the carpet floor or on one of our beds I think of Sam.
He loved to curl up and bask in the warm sunlight.
Picturing him peacefully soaking in the sun’s warmth
makes me feel good inside.
When I come home from work I miss him waiting for me at the door.
When we return home from shopping or a long drive
I expect to hear Sam inside the Family Room.
He would always hear the car pull up and greet us with a vocal hello.
It will never be the same.

Sometimes I can’t believe that I’m feeling this intense
especially when it’s been more than a month since his passing.
Right now I can’t imagine having another pet.
Sam was so special!
The family and I feel he can’t be replaced or equaled.
Sometimes I’m embarrassed to be a big strong guy with such feelings
but I just can’t help it. I know this feeling will dull with time
but I miss that little talkative fur-ball very much.

I loaded an image of Sam basking in the sunlight
on my computer desktop.
God the image is so real I can almost touch him.
I still can’t decide if the image makes me happy or sad.
When I take a long look
it brings a tear to my eye.

John S. Campi Jr.

A lot of people are terrified of Doberman’s
but I know for a fact they are often the biggest babies.
I had the pleasure of having one as my best friend for over 13 years.

He followed me everywhere I went and as soon
as I sat down his head was on my knee and
his big brown eyes looked up at me
with all the trust in the world.

We were deeply saddened one day
when he became very distraught and
just wanted to hide away – he was obviously in a lot of pain.
We rushed him to the vet but it was too late to help him.

Evidentally there is a disease that a lot of large dogs get and
their intestines become all twisted and
we had to make a very difficult decision to end his pain.

We all cried for days afterwards and
still get tears in my eyes just thinking about him.
I sure hope I get to meet up with him again in the afterlife.

Brenda

In November of 1989 my one and
only son Christopher came home for Thanksgiving.
When he walked in the door I knew something was wrong with him.
During that long weekend he told his father and
I that he had Aids and was dying.
He returned to L.A. after the weekend and
six days later the hospital called us to tell us that he had died.

Our world came to an end we went through the motions and
did what we needed to do.
Then it was over and there was nothing until that knock on the door.
It was my neighbor Alice come to see me.
In her hand was the most adorable little furbaby
a little long haired Chihuahua
She handed her to me with a big bow around her neck
and a sympathy card my face lit up and I said
“Oh Alice she is the SUNSHINE of my life”
and that when my little girl first came into our life and got her name.
My husband says that for the first six months
she didn’t hit the ground.
We would lay on the sofa together
under a blanket that eventually sunshine decided she owned.
I would cry and she would lick away my tears.

We became very attached and she would always meet me at the door
when I came home from work.
Then we became manager of a Mobile home Park in Napa California and
I would go home for lunch.
Sunshine would sit on the back of the sofa and
could see me in the office
from the big picture windows in the home.

We lived there for 10 years walking twice a day for her business.
We would always have desert together at night
before we went to bed.
She loved her vegetables green peppers
carrots even mushrooms.
She was always by my side or at my feet.
I loved her so much.

Then she got sick wouldn’t move very much ate little
we took her to the vet and she had a mass on her kidney.
We couldn’t afford to have any test or surgery done so we waited it out.
In February 2002 she showed signs of definite decline.
We just spent as much time as we could with her.

Around Feb. 25th I called the vet to have her put down the next Friday.
On Tuesday that night when I took her outside to bathroom.
She just laid on the ground I knew she would not make it to Friday.
That night at 2:00 AM I woke up and
she was laying next to me dead
I screamed.

It’s now March 27th and I am still crying.
It hurts so very bad. She was my best friend.
She meant the world to me.
She helped me through so much pain
just being there for me always.
I miss you Sunshine.
You will always be in my heart and mind.
Nothing or no one will ever replace you.
Rest in peace my little girl and I will meet you at the Bridge.

Carol & George

Amber came into my life a year after I was married
a little ball of blonde fur!
It didn’t take her long to win a place in not only my heart
but that of my husband parents and in-laws
she touched everyone she came into contact with.
She was such a little character
with her own personality!!
She loved to go out in our boat sleep on the hearth and
go for Sunday rides in the car!

She was faithful and loving never asking
for anything but love.
In her 12 1/2 years here on earth
she had many illnesses even surviving a cancerous eye tumor
only to succumb to a liver disease one year
after being diagnosed.

She was a courageous dog.
She was and is truly an angel that was sent to me!
I wish I could have done more for you
I have so many regrets and guilt
about not always being able to provide you
with the medication you needed
not paying alot of attention to you the last few months
because of a new puppy in the home
not sleeping with you on the floor when you started to go
down hill and most of all not holding you and
spending some quite time with you before I let you go.
Can you ever forgive me my love?
You are my angel!
I love you!

Lisa

When I was 8 my dad gave me and my little brother each
a rabbit for Easter. We were soooooooo happy.

After a few years my little brother stopped taking care of
Midnight his rabbit. Since I was out with Cookies’n’Cream
(my rabbit) everyday I stared taking care of her.
After Cookies’n’Cream died Midnight became very unhappy.
She was not let out much and lived in the garage.
On day while I was away my mom let her out and because she was
having so much fun mom never brought her back in.
( This would be a good time to tell you that we live way out in the woods.)
When I came back I ran outside to look for Midnight.
When I could not find her I brought out my dog Barley.
We searched for a while.
Finally we found FisherCat tracks with blood and
black Midnight fur.
I was SO unhappy that Midnight had died.
I suppose that I never really new how much I loved her
until she was gone.
 
I hope this is a lesson that no-matter how much you might think
that your pet is mean and annoying love them just the same.
Because you may not realize how much you do love them
until their gone.
 
Britta

My pet duck called Goodgi is a very special friend to me.
Though I don’t even know when I bought him I always know
there is a special bond between us.
When I saw a bunch of ducklings near a shop I grabbed the fence
surrounding the ducklings.
I needed to get one because of their cuteness.
My mother got him for me and took him back in our car.
The very first time I took a closer look to him I knew we
would get along well.

After a few days settling in with his surroundings
he always called me.
When he did I’d picked him up and let him sit on my lap.
Then he slept tenderly making me feel so emotional.
He had soft feathers then the colours were yellow.
After a year in my house he was much bigger his feathers
were more of a cream colour and stronger now.
He was so affectionate everywhere I would go
in the garden he followed me.
He Sometimes bit my toes when I wore my sandals.
When I wore wellies and sit on the rock beside the pond,
he would jump into it then standing on my wellies,
trying to hug me.
Everytime I hug him I had to crouch down then hugging him,
he would put his neck on my back and I could
smell his feathers.
My mother says it smells like duck soup and
amazingly it’s true!

I made up alot of games with him.
Guessing where is the cabbage fishing with cabbage
and playing tag. The best was tag I had to run around a bucket of
water when he chased me sometimes he switched directions making
it harder for me to run but it was a enjoyable time with him.
My mother takes care of him but when I’m around he forgets about
her and puts his attention on me.
For the coming 3rd year of his life our family had to go on holiday,
leaving him with our neighbors to look after him.
I told him about the holiday and he seemed to understand and
gave a low-pitched quack. After when we came back he seemed ill,
but I didn’t even spend his few more weeks of life with him
I feel so regret and awful everyday.
In his dying moment I gave him a hug and I could still smell
that scent he always had.
Then looking at him his spirit left his body…

Now I still have some feathers when he was moulting stuck on
my P.C so it will remind me of the days but keeping me the
sorrow memory of his death…
He died when it was near Christmas 2000…

Amy

Jimmy:
It seems like just yesterday when you showed up at my door.
I didn’t know where you came from and at the time I didn’t
know why you were sent to me but I know now there was a reason.

Shortly after your arrival you became sick and your life and mine
were changed forever. We were never apart these last
10 years as you needed constant care.
You were my life my love and my best friend.
You accepted everything in life that was thrown at you.
You taught me so much and I will always Thank God that he
brought you to me.
Today is now 1 month since I said good-bye to you
and I will live everyday with the guilt of my decision to let you go.
It seems like an eternity since I held you in my arms
kissed your sweet head looked into your loving eyes
and heard your quiet purr.
The house now has an eerie silence and a cold empty feeling.
The balls you loved to bat around now sit silently in the corner
and the window where you loved to sit in the sun
is now empty.
I miss how you are no longer there to greet me at the door
or cuddle next to me in bed at night.
Every night I pray that this has been a bad dream and I will wake up
and find you with me once again but this nightmare doesn’t end
and I realize I have to face another day without you.
Jimmy you were my love and my life and nothing will ever be
the same without you.
Please forgive me for my decision to send you onto
the Rainbow Bridge but I could no longer bare to put
you through anymore.
All your life you were a fighter and never gave up but now
was your time to finally not to have to fight a battle that you
couldn’t win so I let you go.

I pray everyday you are now happy and free from any
more pain and for the day when we will once again
be together forever.

I will always love you.

Your Mom

Morgan was a beautiful black and white tuxedo cat,
with amazing green eyes.
Even the vet would comment on them.
She came down with CRF in the summer of 2001.
GIF tubes endless medicines.
All of which she was owed she was such a marvelous friend
and family member from eating with us at dinner time to watching
over our son when he was a newborn.
Sitting right beside him daring anyone to get too close.
An amazing animal.
In November her GIF tube became infected and had
ruptured through the side of her body.
I just knew it was all over but the vet wanted to try something.
We gave her fluids with needles and mega doses of antibiotics.
The change was unreal. She began to eat anything and everything
she was running around the house unlike her 14 year age.
She was a kitten again gaining weight crawling up my leg
to get in my face even taunting the dog again.
Remarkable!
Had the CRF diagnosis been wrong?
She’d try to eat off my plate something she would never do
even when coaxed. She was climbing curtains.
Christmas came and she received all sorts of new toys
from Santa.
She combed the Christmas tree just like before.
It was truly a joyous holiday season.
About a week after Christmas she became sick again.
It all became clear to me–she knew Christmas and she always
loved that time of year. She loved to chew on the plastic plants
climb the tree even romp through the wrapping paper
pile on the floor.
She knew what was going on even if she hid it from
us all too well.
Within a month despite all the world’s best efforts it was time
for her to go. She had shared her last best energy with us
sharing our Christmas and making joyous memories.

Thank you my little girl for all you shared with me in fifteen years
of a beautiful life.
Please wait at the bridge for me I mourn not for you,
but for me.

You can never be forgotten or replaced.

Rick

I had a beautiful black Dobie named Jazimine Ralph
he went to be with God Nov. 26th 1995.
I couldn’t stand it I thought I would die.
But than a friend at work gave me a chuby little red Dobie.
I named him Jordan Rose.
He grew into a beautiful dog went south with me
slept with me and Jogged with me.
Jordan was my everything.
I miss him so very much.
He was a funny dog loved to play soccer
chew on his dirty pillow loved everyone.
He had a very best friend a dachshund DOG.
They loved each other so much Dog went looking all through
the house for Jordan but he died in my arms laying on our
sofa Friday March 9th at 10:30 a.m.
We have him in a brass urn on the mental next to Jazimine.

I love those 2 dogs. Thank you everyone.
I will see them again.
God take care of my friends.

Bye

Patti

Heidi was born in a barn on Christmas day.
It was very cold and she was the runt she also was not breathing
being an ARMY medic I could not bear to see a life lost before it
had time to live I gave her some little breaths and pumped her
little chest and prayed to God to please let her live.
The owner said ” well that’s your dog now ” when she
started to breathe. I tried to explain that I could not have a dog,
because of the fact that I could be shipped out at any time.
He then said ” well she won’t bond with any one else you have given
her a reason to live God wants you to have her.”
I took her and for the next 7 years she went where I did
she played with me kept me from getting lonely listened to all
my secrets and when I returned from Op. Desert Storm
she kissed away the nightmares and gave me comfort.

After getting married and having kids she was their “protector”
she would protect them from every ball in the yard.
In Feb. of 2000 hip problems and spinal arthritis took their toll.
Heidi went down for four days refused to eat. etc.. when she did
finally stand she let out a yelp that crushed my heart.

I put her down 2 weeks later we had said our good-byes,
could take care of her until I could get there.
I also reminded her of the promise that I had made her when she
was so small.
“I will love you and take care of you when you get to the point where my
love is not enough I will send you to be with Daddy then you will be happy
and healthy again and not in pain.”

I will never forget Heidi (her nick name was booger for a good reason)
It still hurts to think of her but I can sit and think of her and such a
peaceful feeling comes over me it’s her way of letting me know,
I’m ok I’m here if you cry
I’ll kiss the fears away again.

Michelle

Two lonely and hungry critters came looking for food at the
back door of a country club where I was catering.
Not being sure if they were pups or Coyotes I would place food
out and run back in. In time I could see that they were just scared pups
and continued to feed them.
Soon they were coming around the golfers often stealing
sandwiches or hot dogs. I got word that they were
going to call the Humane Society for them.
At that point we knew we had to take them home.

We named them Trauzer and Honey Dew.
Honey Dew was ready to have pups soon after we took her home.
She had 8 puppies on our couch.
Luckily we were able to find homes for her and her babies.
We had bonded so with Trauzer and he was the sweetest fella
and you only had to call him once and he was there!
Ready with a happy tail and sweet kisses.
He was always eager to greet us and any friend that would enter.
His head was always seeking a friendly hand to
rub his head.
Trauzer was an unusual looking fella.
He looked like a mix between a small shepherd dog
and a dashound. A long body and the cutest little legs.
He would bounce around investigating and was so
loving and caring to our other babies.
In particular to our sweet Bichon Ashley.

Early May of 2002 we noticed that Trauzer was not getting around like
he had always done. Old age and failing kidneys were
taking a toll on our special fella.
As always he would lay on his special comforters and rest.
Ashley would be with him and they would clean each others
eyes and ears. He loved that.
But we could not ignore any longer that he was not
going to get better.
He stopped eating.
The trip to the vet was so emotional and painful.
It was time to let him go.
Go to wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge.
When we entered the house it was quiet.
Our other babies must have known Trauzer was gone.
They did not greet us as usual but just sat and watched
as we cried.
Ashley still cries for her friend Trauzer as we do.
Yet for all of the pain we are feeling and the void that exist
we would not have missed having him in our lives for anything!

For now Trauzer lives in our hearts and we are warmed
with his memory.
We were very blessed for 12 years and know we will see
our friend again.

Jan and Pete

Charlie Brown was my Grandmother’s cat and somehow
this cat loved me from day one .
When I was a baby this cat would be by my side day and night and
somehow at night he would put his one paw into my little hand and made
me go to sleep at night . I was like that he every night and never
did take my milk away from me .
Charlie Brown would always be in my room and that was his time with
me and when ever my mom would go to look in to see if I was doing
fine he would get mad and like she is fine .
When I was a little bit older again he was right there,
now this time he helped me walk and he would put his tail
like a handle and away I would go .
He never did get mad at me and was my boy and was my pal.

Charlie Brown had many beautiful kittens and two of them
was Mr. Toes and Mr. Paws Charlie Brown’s sons.
After we moved Charlie Brown was no longer happy with us.
I have some good memories of him but I can’t remember if
I said my good-bye to you ?
So here it is Good-bye for now and I will see you again .
Now you and your sons are together again.

Love always,
Your sister
(Amanda )

In September of 1994 (born 1988) my life changed forever.
This was around the time that the rodeo was in town (as noted).
And at this hotel I was staying at in this small town….
the rodeo was right next to us…
well there was this horse with and injured leg and a stray Calico
or abandoned which I think she was.
She had been kicked by the horse and thrown over a high fence
( which the people at the rodeo did).
So I started to feed her this and that..
She didn’t trust me yet but I knew she would eventually …
finally she let me pet her and pick her up so I brought her home
( after letting the vet check her out for the weekend) ….
and I guess you could say she lived happily ever after
and she did …. until March 15 2001

In Loving Memory of Callie

Rest in Peace

Visit Callie on the Web @
http://www.geocities.com/petsburgh/2327/callie.htm