A good dog never dies
she always stays
she walks beside you
on crisp autumn days
when frost is on the fields
and winter's drawing near
her head is within our hand
in her old way.
-- Mary Carolyn Davies
Donations have been made to
Airedale Rescue in memory of . . .
. . . ALEX, 15-1/2-year-old much-loved ADT of Susan Hunt & Charles Kendrick.
NOT AN ANGEL
The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach The Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.
The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!" The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path."
"But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told. Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. After the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed its head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.
The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered.
"No, son." The older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a person who donated time and money to rescue."
-- Anonymous
. . . DUKE, who crossed The Rainbow Bridge on December 3, 2000. Bruce Turner/rosko writes:
He was such the Gentleman
Well, sometime in the past hour, as peacefully and quietly as he spent most the past two and half years, the Duke has passed away. He was the ultimate Gentleman - never begged or demanded anything - was happy with whatever he got - and so mild and gentle and so easy to please. His always-wagging tail will be sorely missed. He sure changed a lot after he got here to the farm and had so much room to run and play.
Many thanks to Becky and Minnesota Airedale Rescue for letting me have the privilege of tending to this valiant older man in his final years; it was a pure pleasure.
Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really.
-- Agnes Sligh Turnbull
. . . MAX McGill
Max was 16 years old when he crossed the Bridge. His parents are Melissa & Terry and he shared his home with two hooman children, Ryan & Ella, age 6. He also shared his backyard and other worldly belongings with Molly & his daughter, Maggie.
A DOG'S SOUL
Every dog must have a soul
Somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances
Are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad,
The wrong way from the right,
And where his judgment carefully
Is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place
Where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
He trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly for
Himself, He cannot speak,
Rebuked, He finds within his soul
The comfort he must seek.
He'll love, tho' he is unloved,
And he'll serve tho' badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away
The times when he's abused.
Altho' his heart may break in two
His love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog
An understanding Soul!
-- Author Unknown
. . . KUGEL Karley, who crossed The Rainbow Bridge on December 1, 2000.
IF IT SHOULD BE
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this, the last battle, cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears
Would not want me to suffer so
When the time comes please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend
Only, stay with me to the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will see
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 it should 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.
So I am glad, not that she's gone
But that this earth she roamed and lived upon
Was my earth, too,
That I had closely known and loved her
And that my love I'd shown.
Tears over her departure?
Nay - a smile
That I had walked with her a little while.
-- Author Unknown
. . . MAC (Hilltop's Robaire Macbeth), sadly missed by Lawrence Alexander, who writes:
I loved him so much and I will always remember him being so pretty inside and out.
ROGER AND I
(with apologies to Rev. Julian S. Cutler)
Well, MAC, my dear old doggie, they say that your race is run;
And our jolly tramps together up and down the world are done;
You're only a dog, old fellow; a dog, and you've had your day;
But never a friend of all my friends has been truer than you alway.
We've had glorious times together in the fields and pastures fair;
In storm and sunny weather we have romped without a care;
And however men have treated me, though foul or fair their deal --
However many the friends that failed me, I've found you true as steel.
That's right my dear old fellow, look up with your knowing eye,
And lick my hand with your loving tongue that never has told a lie;
And don't be afraid, old doggie, if your time has come to go,
For somewhere out in the great Unknown there's a place for you, I know.
Then don't you worry, old comrade; and don't you fear to die;
For out in that fairer country I will find you by and by;
And I'll stand by you, old fellow, and our love will surely win,
For never a heaven shall harbor me, where they won't let MAC in.
When I reach that city glorious, behind the waiting dark,
Just come and stand outside the gate, and wag your tail and bark --
I'll hear your voice, and I'll know it, and I'll come to the gate and say:
"Saint Peter, that's my dog out there, you must let him come this way".
And then if the Saint refuses, I'll go to the One above,
And say: "Old MAC is at the gate, with his heart brim full of love;
And there isn't a shining angel, of all the heavenly band,
Who ever lived a nobler life than he in the earthly land."
Then I know the gate will open, and you come frisking in,
And we'll roam fair fields together, in that country free from sin.
So never you mind, old MAC, if your time has come to go;
You've been true to me, I'll be true to you...and the Lord is good, we know.
You're only a dog, old fellow; a dog, and you've had your day --
Well, I'm getting there myself, old boy, and I haven't long to stay;
But you've stood by me, old Comrade and I'm bound to stand by you;
So don't worry, old MAC, for our love will pull us through.
. . . HENRY MY HONEY, who crossed The Rainbow Bridge in December 2000 and is sadly missed by Cheryl Silver & The Gang. Cheryl writes:
My sweetest wooly boy; you are here in my heart always. I feel so sorry for those who never knew you. I was so lucky to have you in my life. I hope you have your own leather couch, pasta on demand, and that the days are always cool and crisp for you at The Bridge. Your mama loves you and misses you so very much.
AN OLD DOG
Now that no shrill hunting horn
Can arouse me at the morn,
Deaf I lie the long day through,
Dreaming firelight dreams of you;
Waiting patient through it all,
Till the greater Huntsman call.
If we are, as people say,
But the creatures of a day,
Let me live, when we must part,
A little longer in your heart.
You were all the God I knew,
I was faithful unto you.
-- Anonymous, ca1915
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AIREDALES IN MEMORIAM, PAGE 6