* * * Announcing The Saturday Night Angels Chat for anyone who has lost a beloved fur baby, (or for those who have beloved pets who are very ill) and wish to get support. Please join HP Paws and HP Cativo for this very gentle and supportive chat at 8:00 PM in Feline Fancy * * *
Dinah
Nov 93-Oct 25, 2005
Our "Beautiful Girl."
A quiet, gentle Spirit who was always about Love.
It is amazing how such a little cat can leave such a big void in our home. It speaks loudly of her enduring place in our hearts.
In loving memory for: Carol
Place:Krimml, Austria Observer:Till Credner
copyright: T. Credner & S. Kohle, AlltheSky.com
Dreams of a waterfall like images in life you do see,
The power of flowing water like your love should be.
Reflections of sunlight with rainbows of love from the start,
With mist from the water brings freshness to your heart.
From the edges of rocks that changes directions of flow,
Like pathways of life with changes of love that you know.
The pressure of water as it hits the bottom below,
Is like the pressure of sadness in your heart as you go.
The calmness of water as it leaves the falls you do see,
Like the calmness of love in life that will be.
John E. Mingo, Sr.
HOW COULD YOU
by Jim Willis
When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh.
You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes
and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend.
Whenever I was “bad,” You’d shake your finger at me
and ask “How could you?” – but then you’d relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My house training took a little longer than expected, because you were
terribly busy,but we worked on that together. I remember those nights
of nuzzling you in bed,
listening to your confidences and secret dreams,
and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.
We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides,
stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because “ice cream is bad for dogs,”
you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home
at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career,
and more time searching for a human mate.
I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks
and disappointments,
never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee
at your homecomings,and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a “dog person” – still I welcomed her into our home,
tried toshow her affection, and obeyed her.
I was happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement.
I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled,
and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried
that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time
banished to another room, or to a dog crate.
Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a “prisoner of love.”
As they began to grow, I became their friend.
They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs,
poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears
and gave me kisses on my nose.
I loved everything about them and their touch –
because your touch was nowso infrequent –
and I would have defended them with my life if need be.
I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams.
Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog,
that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.
These past few years, you just answered “yes” and changed the subject.
I had gone from being “your dog” to “just a dog,”
and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving
to an apartment that does not allow pets.
You’ve made the right decision for your “family,”
but there was a time when I was your only family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter.
It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness.
You filled out the paperwork and said “I know you will find a good home for her.”
They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities
facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with “papers.”
You had to pry your son’s fingers loose from my collar as he screamed,
“No, Daddy! Please don’t let them take my dog!”
And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship
and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.
You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you.
You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.
After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move
months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home.
They shook their heads and asked “How could you?”
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow.
They feed us,of course, but I lost my appetite days ago.
At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you –
that you had changed your mind – that this was all a bad dream...
or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.
When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention
of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate,I retreated to a far corner and waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day
and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room.
She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry.
My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come,
but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.
As is my nature, I was more concerned about her.
The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.
She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek.
I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago.
She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting
and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily,
looked into her kind eyes and murmured “How could you?”
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said “I’m so sorry.”
She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn’t be ignored or abused or abandoned,
or have to fend for myself – a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.
With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail
that my “How could you?” was not meant for her.
It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of.
I will think of you and wait for you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
The End
In beloved memory of our wonderful friend Karlean (Kay- ALVIN1968) Struchen. Kay will be missed greatly by those of us who knew and loved her, and who have had the opportunity to have met and have spent time in chats. email and IMs with this lovely lady. She made some very close friends here on AOL, who also had the joy of meeting her in real life, spending time on the phone with her, and getting to know her well.
She is survived by her husband, Jim, and her lovely cats. She has now joined her beloved "Tar" at the Rainbow Bridge, sharing joy and lots of purrs and love again.
Born: March 6th 1952- Died: October 30th, 2005
Go in peace Kay. You are very much loved.
It gives me great pleasure to announce a grief and support chat on AOL which begins this Saturday, November 12th at 8:00 PM ET. The Facilitators are HP Bandito and HP Paws. The link to the room for this chat, which will be held every Saturday evening at 8:00 PM is:
Feline Fancy
This chat is open to anyone who has lost a pet, or who needs support for a terminally ill pet. I invite you to visit this loving and safe room.
This is one of the most healing and beautiful websites. I wanted to share it with folks who may gain some peace from the music and the inspirational photography.
Peace to all,
Jo
