A Beautiful Poem and a Heartfelt Letter!

NO GREATER LOVE

 by: RogueThistle009

While writing the poem, the tears flow down
I'll tell you of fighting, on a foreign ground
Fritz, a soldier, made the supreme sacrifice
A soldier, who saved this worthless life
 
It has been 36 years, since this time, long ago
Fritz was smaller, than any soldier we had
Fritz was fearless, Fritz was really bad
Bullets started flying, Fritz got real mad
 
I was hot, the monsoons had started
Orders to patrol, we soon departed
An hour out of base camp, the fighting began
Why were we fighting, here in Vietnam
 
Incoming rockets, bullets whining overhead
Soon, most of my buddies, around lay dead
Hand to hand, bayonets, flashing of the blade
Fritz, threw himself, on a thrown grenade
 
As I write, a picture above my desk, of Fritz I see
If not for this soldier, I would have died you see
Duty, honor, loyalty, Fritz did not ask for much
He was there, to help in a clutch
 
 
(January 25, 2006)
(copyrighted)
 
This poem is dedicated to the bravest soldier I have ever known.  You see FRITZ was a military working dog. I was a Scout Dog handler. WE all should remember our four-legged soldiers. They asked for nil, they paid with their life.
 
My brother, FRITZ, I salute you!

RogueThistle009 and his dog, Fritz

Fritz wrote Larry a most heartfelt letter- this needed to be shared here.

"My best, most loving friend and handler Larry:
 
I know you're going to miss me but don't think for even one minute
that I will ever forget or stop loving you just cause I'm not around
in body anymore.  I will always be with you in Spirit!
 
I laid down my life to protect you as I'd been trained to do and would
do it all over again if that were possible.  Some day we will see each
other again.  I saw that beautiful poem you wrote about me, and the
Angel who has been helping me earn my 'Wings of Grace' said I could
send this letter to you so you'd know I'm okay.
 
When I first got here it was soo beautiful as all the animals who had
crossed before me lined both sides of the path with their candles lit
so I could see to cross.  I was taken on a tour of this beautiful place
and even as of today I still have not seen it all.
 
Please try not to be sad when you think of me.  Remember, my friend,
we both had a job to do.  I don't remember anything after I lay down
on that thing till I got here with the Angels that GOD sent to bring me home.
 
I must go now as there are many others waiting to write their last letter home.
 
With LOVE
From
 'FRITZ' "
 
 
 
 

 

"PiggyWig Is At The Bridge!" for Lorrie

   

"Our elderly guinea pig, Piggywig is now resting happily in heaven. At the old age of 10 he outlived most guinea pigs by a great deal. He was a loving little guy who, although didn't like to be held, loved his family. He was demanding of his treats and would drive you crazy ratling his water bottle but he was a very special and precious boy to all of us. Now Piggywig is in heaven with our other guinea pigs, Charlene, Tribble, and Tabitha. Much clover little one and enjoy those apples and carrots little friend."  

 

And I am sure that he will be welcomed by all the other wonderful creatures that reside at the Rainbow Bridge.  

Tasha Has Her Wings

We send our prayers and glow to Dawn on the transition that her adored Tasha made on January 21st, 2006.

"At approx. 11:45, our beautiful Tasha flew to the Rainbow Bridge. I am too heartbroken for words.  We were all with her when she left, and (my husband), Ed is making a resting place for her next to the butterfly bush."

Below is a wonderful picture of Tasha when she was nine years old. She loved to sit by the kitchen window and watch the birds at the feeder.

She will be missed so very much, and the love that they all shared will remain forever, indelible in their hearts and spirit.
She is now playing with all the bridge babies who are healed and who wait for their people to join them when it is time.

 

Prayers and Glow Needed For Sable and Cynthia and Family

While visiting the Cats' Community Angels Chat last night, I "met" a woman who is fostering a Special Needs Katrina survivor.

Sable has captured Cynthia's heart! They share a special love.

Both Sable and Cynthia would so appreciate glow and prayers at this time.
We send golden light of healing energy for both.

"Healing" does not necessarily mean "cured." "Healing,"
In this context it is meant for Sable to receive this energy
and prayers sent, to use them for her highest purpose.

"Sable"

Cynthia writes:

"Sable is 13 years old and has a tumor growing in her side. It has spread to her lungs, liver and stomach.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer and treated
for it before I got her.

Her home was washed away when Katrina hit the coast and she has been
through quite a lot. I got her settled down in my home and she was doing really
good for about 2 months. She is very gentle and kind.

Please keep her, us and her family in your prayers as they are not here to
spend her last days with her."

Sable and her foster family

How Long Do We Wait To Get Another Pet After A Loss?

 

Angels Gremlin and Mouse- Two of OurBelovedAngel's Bridge Babies

I have been doing a lot of thinking about this issue,concerning when it is time to get another pet after we have lost a beloved fur baby. For me, I need time to really let the loss touch me, and to grieve it. Life is so precious and one cannot replace an "angel" pet with another. I don't think that it is fair to either myself, or to the new pet that may come into my house. I would be comparing them, trying to recapture the relationship I had with my angel with the new being, and that just is not possible.

Sometimes certain situations arise where one is faced with a new pet that presents itself for adoption, that needs a new home desperately. I often consider that to be the angel "finding" a being that is in need.. and sending them to us. But I just cannot, for myself, actively go out to try and replace my angel. When I lost my horse, Patti, I was like a maniac trying to find a "replacement" but to no avail.. none were right, but the journey to find one seemed to deaden my pain and sorrow.  Patti eventually did find the right horse for me, but I could not tolerate that hole in my heart that she left, and my search was incessant. I don't think I could do that again.

It took me over two years to be able to open my heart again to adopt LucyFur, who I also think Mouse led me to find, and I am so happy to share my heart and home with her. But I think we need that time to feel the loss and to be able to open our hearts to another being without trying to make them into someone who they are not!

Lucyfur- OurBelovedAngel's most recent resident in our home and hearts. The two older residents took awhile to accept her, but now she is second in command. Her purr resembles the sound of a diesel engine idling:) AND as loud!!

What do you think? What has been your experience? I think a discussion will be very helpful to people who may be in this situation and are wondering what to do.

Thanks for your input,

Jo

FAMILY PET MISSING!!

01/14/06-UPDATE:  We found Rocky this morning.  He was hit and killed and put to the side of the road.  Thank you for praying for his safe return

FAMILY PET MISSING!! :

Please send prayers and glow to this little one. Rocky was only a baby and his life was so short..however his "people" miss him dreadfully. I know that Rocky is at the Rainbow Bridge and is pain free and running through the fields and meadows with his new pals.

May your heart heal and feel the love that Rocky had for you in your heart, forever. I am so sorry that you lost your puppy!

Jo

Adoption Announcement! From Steve- Welcome, Dudley!

Date Adopted: 12-8-2005
Species: Feline (of course!)
Sex: Male (sort of) Neuter!
Age: Somewhere between 1 and 2 years old.

Name: Dudley (as in "Do Right" and as in the angel character played by Carey Grant in "The Bishop's Wife")

We just wanted to announce that Steve, who has an angel kitty at the Rainbow Bridge, named Hobbes, who has graced us with his presence on our journal, has announced his "formal" adoption of Dudley on the above date.

We are thrilled for Steve and wish him all the best with his new feline companion. From what I gather, in conversations with Steve, that it is highly possible that Hobbes chose Dudley for Steve. Dudley has displayed several behaviors that were part of Hobbes' great purrsonality. So we are pretty sure that this kitty was "found" for him.

ConCATulations Steve on your new fur kid. All the best to you and Dudley. We hope you will keep us posted about him from time to time!

The picture below was taken from a spot that was very special to Hobbes. We feel it fitting to include it so that Hobbes, who must be looking down at Steve and Dudley and purring his heart out.. will know his "spot" has now been warmed again with much love.