. . . JASPER, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 6 May 2004. Marti Touchstone writes:

Jasper Touchstone, age maybe 11, maybe 10, probably a golden retriever x cocker spaniel mix, left this morning to join all the Jones/Touchstone family on the other side. The cause was fibrosarcoma.

One night nine years ago this week, Jasper was abandoned on the busiest street in Houston. Sick, lost and confused, he made his way to a restaurant valet parker who had witnessed the abandonment. Shortly thereafter we exited the restaurant. We were in town for cancer treatment, staying in our rented Houston condominium which didn't allow dogs, living in a rented house in Weaverville which had specifically given permission for only our three small dogs, and had no intention of keeping him, but the rest is history. He had the prettiest brown eyes I've ever seen and nursing him through heartworm, and every other conceivable internal and external parasite was our privilege.

In a household dominated by terriers, Jasper was the cuddly one. He knew, in fact, two tricks: "hug" and "cuddle". The fluffy, warm exterior, however, belied the "man of the streets" who lived inside. Jasper never saw an open door or gate he didn't run for, and he enlivened several of the Companion Dog Training School Christmas parties by escaping. John once declared that the test of the best dog trainer at CDTS would be who could get Jasper back in under 15 minutes. He also told Jane that she could have our house if she could break Jasper's habit. She couldn't.

But he never went far and if he managed to break out without our knowing it, it spoiled all his fun and he would be waiting on the doorstep to be discovered.

He was a wonderful dog, we loved him dearly, and we will miss him terribly until we meet again.

. . . JACK, FELINE & FEATHERED FRIENDS, who all crossed The Rainbow Bridge on 31 July 2005. Shelley DeMerchant writes:

On July 31 (while I was not at home), my horse barn caught fire and burned to the ground. A neighbour who discovered the fire was able to save three of my horses that were in an adjoining outside paddock, but my Appaloosa stallion (Jack Luck's Tuff Mister . . . aka "Jack") died in the blaze and is buried here on my farm. Jack was eight years of age. I bred and raised him. My three horses that were saved are being cared for by another neighbour.

For those of you who are familiar with Appaloosa bloodlines, one of the horses saved was Co Annie Too (who is 26 years old and whom I've owned for the last 18 years). "Annie" is, to the best of anyone's knowledge, the last living own daughter (meaning first generation) anywhere of a great Appaloosa stallion and Appaloosa Hall of Fame inductee named "Colida". The other two horses rescued were Annie's daughter (Co-D Luck) and her gelding son (Colida's Pride).

I have written to the Ontario Humane Society and the Appaloosa Horse Club of America to nominate my neighbour for a commendation for bravery. He risked his own life by trying to enter my burning barn to save Jack but was driven back by the flames. In saving Annie and her progeny, he not only saved a part of my life but also saved a part of Appaloosa history.

Also perishing in the blaze were seven Muskovi ducks and there are three barn cats currently unaccounted for. Four other barn cats survived and have taken up residence in another building on my property. They are still scared but otherwise unharmed.

My dogs were all in my house and were not harmed. The cause of the fire is still unknown; the story is HERE.

. . . KARL, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 28 November 2005. With a broken heart, Lesley Mattuchio writes:

My beloved Ravishing Rott, Karl, has gone on to the Bridge to join my sweet Bonnie girl. He was a sweet loving boy that only wanted one thing in life . . . for his family to love him . . . and we did so very completely. He is no longer in the pain of the bone cancer. I will miss him with every fiber of my being . . . .

. . . APRIL, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 2 December 2006. Andréa Denninger writes:

She came to us in a snowstorm; she left us in a snowstorm . . .

On Friday, 1 December, April came in from the blizzard and seemed to decide, "I can't go through another winter." She lay down in VetteMan's office and refused to get up or eat for the rest of the day and night.

Today, 2 December, we carried her to her vet, who took one look and said, "It's time . . . ."

So the dog who was tied to the door of the Kenosha Humane Society, in a snowstorm; who came home with us in a snowstorm on 1 April 1993 . . . crossed the Bridge, leaving behind a snowstorm . . . and a family who loved her dearly.

Are we having FUN yet?

Now April My Heart Dog can again hear, and see, and run . . . probably right over to Misha to bite her in the ear . . . April always was the dominant dog . . . and the Nanny . . . and now she's just many happy memories.

IF I SHOULD GROW FRAIL

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain does keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
For this - the last battle - can't be won.

You will be sad I understand
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
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 that it must now 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.

-- Julia Napier, copyright 1999

[My thanks to Sande Mancini for sending me this poem]

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OTHERS SO PRECIOUS TO US IN MEMORIAM HERE