In Memory Of:
My Precious Briana
Oct. 28 1989 —– April 14 1999
Blonde Cocker Spaniel
God saw that you were getting tired And a cure was not to be……
So He put His arms around you and whispered “Come with Me.”
With tearful eyes I watched you suffer and saw you fade away.
Although I loved you dearly I could not make you stay……
I loved you enough to let you go……..
A Golden heart stopped beating and another Angel got her wings……..
The love Briana gave to me was special……..it was unconditional……….
Your little body I can still feel so perfectly against my side……
My arms held you when you were scared and when you just wanted
to be held and loved…….
To find you sitting in front of me in my sadness…..looking at me as if
you were trying to say “What can I do to make it all better for you?”
To find your fur soft against my face where my tears have drenched.
Never any words of judgment never any desperate searching for comfort;
Just your steady breath….
I held you when that chest rose and fell for the last time…….
Did I hold you enough?
Did I give you every happiness you gave me.
Did I keep your stomach full?
Did I do everything for you to make you comfortable?????
Every place I look down is where your paws have padded softly
coming to find me to rest against my leg.
Everything I touch feels like I am touching for the first time,
a life without your presence.
A life without you being here with me…………
I search for small traces of you to cling to to breathe in and put
inside my heart forever………
What should I hold in my arms now?
You are no longer held back by the confines of this house this yard,
this Universe is yours to run free….and now that I have let you go…
return to my soul every once in awhile visit my dreams and perhaps
give me that solace once again……..
When this life is through I will run with you again gather you
up in my arms and cover your precious face with kisses
and lots and lots of hugs…..
You saw me grow older you heard my whispered hopes muffled laughter.
And now my gift from Heaven must return to where she came from…..
One of these days I will feel again that innocent love…..
and in my mind you still lie beneath my feet while I am on the computer,
or laying beside me as I watch TV…..laying sleeping in your bed beside me…
as I walk to the mail box you are still right by my side……
I can still see you opening your Christmas and Birthday presents….
you loved to get gifts ….just like everyone does………
Every time I get in the car I can see you jumping in and wanting
to hang out the window and look and see where we were going……..
and letting the wind blow your ears…..
you loved your treats because you knew when you did good which was
all the time you were going to get a treat…..
I can still you run to fetch the ball and bring it to me with your little
tail wagging and ready to go and fetch it again and again……
your presence is still by my bed in the middle of the night……
I will always see that precious little face of innocence…..
I can still see you watching me cut the grass going from
side to side on the carport to keep up with me……
You was my sunshine my one and only sunshine
you brought me so much joy for 9 1/2 years…..
and you’ll never know Briana how much I loved you and
the happiness you brought to me…..
You are my guardian angel who helps me go the right way……..
Please don’t take my sunshine away……..
but on April 14 1999 Wedneday @ 5:30pm my sunshine was taken away…..
You will be with me forever in my memories and my heart I will never
forget the happiness you brought to me each and every day…..
I can only think of Briana and cry.
The life we shared is over now I will miss her sweet and loving face.
I have loved her so completely none could ever take her place….
I firmly wipe the tears away trying not to dwell upon this pain.
But she was so much a part of me and my life will never be the same……..
I will always miss you and love you……
Mama Brenda
A little story and a poem dedicated to my precious Briana
In memory of a Precious Friend Briana……
4-14-99
THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow
Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge
there is a land of meadows hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies the pet goes to this place. There is always food
and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young
again. Those who are maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.
There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person
who loved them on Earth. So each day they run and play until the day comes
when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches!
The ears are up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the
group!
You have been seen and when you and your special friend meet you take
him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and
you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet. Then you cross the
Rainbows Bridge together never again to be separated…….
And that is exactly what is going to happen one day Briana and I will be
together and be best of friends again……
I told her that today before I buried her…..
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this ~ the last battle ~ can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes please let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend,
Only stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close ~ we two ~ these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
This poem is dedicated to Briana Franklin
4~14~99
by: Brenda Franklin
I will always love my precious baby Briana…….
I AM NOT THERE
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there I did not die.
| Briana |
| Brenda Franklin |