Rico,
I miss you so
I wish you could know
Even though we’re apart,
You are still in my heart.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you,
Are you thinking about me, I wish I knew.
I pray to God, that I will never sin,
If only I could hold you once again.
I miss those brown eyes looking up at me,
But I know in this lifetime that will never be.
I miss your kisses and snuggling too-
I just miss everything about you.
As I sit and think of what to write
I think of how hard you put up a fight.
The unconditional love you have always shown
Was the best love I have ever known.
They say that time has a way of healing
But I know I will never loose this lonely feeling.
And that I need to just get up and move on
But I can’t seem to do anything since you’ve been gone.
Sometimes I ask what have I done wrong
I feel my faith was very strong.
I sit here thinking and asking why
Your life had to end and you had to die.
I will always miss your gentle touch
Oh how I love you so very much
At night I look up into the sky so blue
Just wanting to see another sign from you.
Depending on memories to get me through
I have so many of me and you
Sometimes I feel like it’s been years and years
Then my eyes begin to fill up with tears
I can’t wait for the day that again we will meet
For then my life will be complete...
So Jesus, please hear me from up above,
Please find my Rico and give him all my love.
~ As Long As I Have A Heart, You Will Be In It ~
There won’t be a day that goes by that I won’t think of you.
I can’t wait for the day I can say to you again, “Mommy’s Home....
I Love You Rico -
Missing you deeply, Cindy and Howard (Mommy & Daddy)
Cindy and Rico Forever....
My Precious Boy (Angel)
Thyroid Gland Tumor and Osteosarcoma
I will miss how you used to nuzzle up against us with your head, how you used to come running whenever we walked in the door, how you could hear the refrigerator open from the other side of the house, How you used to steal food from the kids, I cry everytime I see food on the ground because I know if you were here, you would have cleaned up after the kids. How you always gave me a hard time whenever I trimmed your nails or brushed your teeth. How you loved going for a ride in the car and for walks. How you and Hailey used to play all the time, she misses you so much.
We gave you a good home and in return you gave us more love than we could ever imagine. You will always hold a place in my heart, my smart little Stormy Girl. I feel like a part of me has died with you, and I know only time will heal my pain, but time will never erase my love for you. Your pain is gone and I know you are at peace. We will see you again some day.
I will always remember our last moment together when we said goodbye and your head sank into my arms. You looked so peaceful, it took everything I had to walk away from you. I just wanted to wake you up and take you home. I love you Stormy,
we will always keep you in our hearts, my sweet little girl.
AND
HAILEY
Hailey
Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in her jaw on June 18, 2004.
Died May 14, 2005
We rescued Hailey on July 5, 1995 from the Royal Oak, MI Animal Shelter. She was found wandering along the side of the expressway by the police and they brought her to the shelter. She was at the shelter for 2 weeks, and was very sad, until the day I walked in and saw her. She jumped right up to see me, and it was true love from that day on. The whole way home I just kept saying to myself “I can’t believe I got a Rottweiler!” Several months later we found someone looking for a home for another rottweiler, abandoned by their owners. Her name was Storm. She died of Hemangiosarcoma on April 26, 2004. They were the greatest dogs in the whole world.
Almost 2 months later, we found a lump in Hailey’s mouth, and we found out she also had cancer. Osteosarcoma in her jaw. On July 7, 2004 we removed half of her bottom jaw, and with clean margins, we thought the cancer was gone. She learned how to eat with half a bottom jaw, and never once complained or whimpered. But that was Hailey. She never complained, she just knew we were helping her. Her tongue hung out of the side of her mouth, which was a great conversation starter, and it helped everyone to see just how sweet she really was. On April 8, 2005, she started having pain in her back, and suddenly couldn’t use her rear legs anymore. Within a week, we were using a towel to help her walk. We took her to every doctor we could think of, from specialists to homeopathic vets, but they all thought the cancer spread to her spine. We put her on Prednisone, and it helped at first, but after a while, she started to loose control of her bodily functions. On May 14, 2005, I sat with her head in my lap as the doctors put her to sleep. She was so relaxed as I held her, she knew it was time to see Stormy again.
No dog can ever replace you Hailey. You were the greatest, sweetest dog, my best friend, my companion, my heart and soul. I will miss how your whole body used to wag when we walked in the door. How you used to jump into bed with me as soon as the lights turned off. How you loved going for a ride in the car and for walks. How you and Storm used to “super fly” off the dock into the water to go swimming. How all we had to do is say “go….” and your ears perked up. How you loved eating cheese. You could hear a cheese wrapper from a mile away. How you used to sleep on your back withyour feet in the air. How scared you used to get when the smoke detectors went off. How you loved going over to Grandma’s house. If I even said Grandma in a conversation you would nudge me and run to the door in anticipation. How you used to jump on the couch next to Grandma. It didn’t matter if there was a pile of books or something on the couch, you had to sit next to Grandma. You knew that was your spot. That one time you saw a squirrel in the winter, and ran for it on your leash, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop you because I couldn’t get any grip in the snow, and you dragged me through a snow pile, and when I finally stopped, you ran up to me as if to say, “what are you doing down there?” How you used to whine and whimper when you wanted table scraps. How you used to come over to anyone who was sitting up with their hands on their lap, as if to say, “your hands are empty, pet me!” My favorite memory will be how you used to sing. I will miss your singing so much. You had to be by my side, even towards the end, when you couldn’t walk up the stairs by yourself anymore, I still carried you up so you wouldn’t be alone, or I slept downstairs with you if it was too much for you to move. The day you died, it started to rain on the way home, but the minute I opened the door, the rain stopped. That’s when I knew you were looking down on me. Thanks for stopping the rain. I know how much you hated the rain. You may be gone, but you will always be in my heart. I will always love you.
You will always be the greatest dogs in the world, Hailey and Storm! This poem is for you girls.
A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.
In live I loved you dearly,
in death I love you still
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
Love Gary and Mariah and family
Spencer, my beautiful boy, I love you with all my heart. You were a gift in my life that I will be eternally grateful for. We traveled a difficult road together fighting this disease and that created a bond which was unique to us. You were a brave and courageous boy and I loved you more for that. I know you felt my love too, I could see it in your eyes. You are and always will be in my heart and soul....I love you Spencer.....Mommy.
Darlene and Spencer's sisters......Hannah, Mollie and Maya
To the most beautiful soul. I will love you forever.
Deeply missed by Judy & family
TALLEY-HO
(October 23, 1993 - June 15, 2004)
Liver Cancer
Talley-Ho, my canine friend
Talley-Ho, my canine friend,
Now departed from this world
You brought patience and love,
With gentleness, with care
My heart aches for your passing
Missing the times you “walked me.”
For now I walk alone, without leash
Memories of you chasing squirrels
Lovable companion at home, or
Readily responding to
“Let’s go for a ride in the car.”
Your trusting presence, a gift.
Unconditional was that gift,
Given freely with love
Always there for me
Sharing both good and bad times
Oh, how I miss you, Talley-Ho
At the Rainbow Bridge you now abide.
A joyous place, where in time,
We will meet each other again
More About Talley-Ho
On June 15, 2004 my loving, faithful canine friend, Talley-Ho, went to the Rainbow Bridge. She had been sick for at least a couple of months, and was diagnosed with a severe liver disease, liver cancer.
I will miss her for the favorite things she loved to do: "walking me" every day at a fast pace; chasing squirrels; riding in the car to help me with my errands (and barking at every car that we passed); meeting me in the garage when I came home. "Let’s go for a walk" and "Let’s go for a ride in the car" brought her great excitement and simple pleasure.
The last couple of weeks of her life, she dramatically slowed down on our walks and could hardly make it home; but she still wanted to do those walks. The medication she was taking caused a weakening of muscles, so she could not get into the car by herself without using a "ramp" I provided for her. She lost interest in pursuing squirrels on our walks or when she rested in the backyard. Her quality of life was slowly ebbing away.
Talley-Ho was an outdoor dog. She preferred being outside in the backyard regardless of weather (except when there was thunder and lightening in the distance).
Talley-Ho and I had a "special" connection built upon a relationship upon which one neighbor thought Talley-Ho was "almost human." She was always there for me in my happy times and in my difficult ones. She was a special dog, too, because I "inherited" her from my late wife, Marilyn, who passed away about six years ago.
Oh, how I miss you, Talley-Ho; but I know that you made it to the Rainbow Bridge. In time, however long it takes, perhaps you will be there waiting for me.
. . . And in More Happy Times
Dog Walking (Two Perspectives)
Dog Walking
(Dog Owner’s Perspective)
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking day and night?
Talley-Ho, we must go
Perhaps a canine’s joy delight
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking every street?
Talley-Ho, we must go
Is there not tiring of doggy feet?
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking through the park?
Talley-Ho, we must go
‘Tis better when it’s light, not dark
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking in rain or sun?
Talley-Ho, we must go
Only in nice weather, it is fun
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking every day?
Talley-Ho, we must go
Never, ever shall we delay.
(Well, hardly ever!)
Dog Walking
(Dog in Conversation with Owner)
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking day and night?
“Oh please, we must go
It IS my canine’s joy delight.”
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking every street?
“Oh please, we must go
Hear pitter patter of my doggy feet.”
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking through the park?
“Oh please, we must go,
I care not if it’s light or dark.”
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking in rain or sun?
“Oh please, we must go
In any kind of weather, it is fun.”
Tally-Ho, must we go
Walking every day?
“Oh please, we must go
I’m patient, even when you delay.”
(So hurry up, won’t you?)
Gunnar Wikstrom
Copyright July 19, 2002
“Rainbow Bridge”
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His (her) bright eyes are intent. His (her) eager body quivers. Suddenly he (she) begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his (her) legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
(Attributed to Abby Lederer. The story comes from an ancient Norse tradition)
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