"If you've ever known the joyful sound Of barks that fill the air- A sloppy kiss, a friendly paw, A quiet adoring stare- If you've ever had a special friend To share a tear or two, Or maybe just a wagging tail To lift you when you're blue- If you've ever felt the wrenching pain That only death can send, Then you have lost Not just a dog- You've truly lost a friend. But God is good and treasures love And there at Heaven's gate- A sloppy kiss, a joyful bark- Your precious friend awaits" Author Unknown

It's Just a Dog From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile.... because they "just don't understand." - Anonymous

Don’t Think Don’t think that I left you; I am here in your heart, I have been here with you, right from the start, From the day we first met – till I took my last breath, From my moment of birth – to my moment of death, And now that my body has gone from this earth, I am here with you still – as I was from my birth. Don’t think for a moment that I left your side, You feel I am here, by each tear cried, In silence I follow each step that you walk, I hear you soft voice, each time you talk, When you sleep I am with you, here at your feet, And one day, my friend, we will once again meet. Don’t think, my friend, that you betrayed my love, By letting me go, and sending me above, I could not stay one moment more, I tried to show you, by offering my paw, But through your tears, you could not see, From the moment we met, you belonged to me. Don’t think I can’t see you, all the tears that you cry, I see your heart breaking as your chest heaves a sigh, I feel all your sadness, and I know you miss me, But my friend I am happy, I am now running free, So look through your tears, reach out with your heart, I’m still here my friend - as I was from the start. Author Unknown

I'll lend you for a while a creature of Mine," He said. "For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead. It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three, But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for Me? He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief." "I cannot promise he will stay; since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught down there I want this soul to learn. I've looked the wide world over in My search for teachers true And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have chosen you. Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain, Nor hate Me when I come to call to take him back again?" I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done! For all the joy this friend shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay; But should the angels call for him much sooner than we've planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand!"

Somewhere up in Heaven A paw is reaching down To touch the one who loved him Far below him on the ground He's hurting just like you are But his pain has gone today And he's reaching down to tell you He didn't want to go away But sometimes God has duties For little doggies to fulfill And though your dog's now in Heaven He thinks about you still He's happy and if you could see him As he wags his tail at play You'd realize this had to be And you helped take his pain away Some lucky child in Heaven Has a doggy for their own So don't worry for he's not lonely He has a loving home And one day up in Heaven You'll meet again, it's true For your dog will be waiting At the heavenly gates for you © 2004 Yvonne Lowther