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08/05/2004 11:55:30 AM · #1 |
You were my first entry here at DPChallenge.
I never knew you the first years of your life. I have no idea if you were happy, sad, treated like a prince or beaten like a criminal. You have given me a few clues over the years and I learned to pick up your signals and now you are talking to me again.
I remember the very first time you talked to me. I was at the shelter to talk to Helen, I had no intention of getting another dog at the time. We had been looking since Lady had died, someone to keep Juniper company but nothing ever felt right. As I was walking down the line of cages there you were. Smiling at me, eyes shining, tongue hanging out and you weren't just wagging your tail, you were doing the body wag, from head to toe. I looked at you and said, "You look like a Henry. Oh CRAP!" Because I knew then that you were going home with me. I went to Helen, acting all upset that I had named you already and could I use the phone to have Terry bring Juniper over. They had named you John but Henry seemed more your style.
You came home with us that day and yes there were a few accidents until we learned each other's signals. You were shy at first, almost afraid which told me that you might have been abused at one time. Afraid to take our love, afraid we would snatch it away without notice. But you did finally learn to come when called, I learned you responded well to finger snapping and you loved treats. You loved having your belly rubbed and when you were given an all over body rub, oh my, you could hardly stand still long enough to really enjoy it before you had to take off and RUN like the wind.
You so wanted to be Terry's dog, you lit up every time he came in the room, you would always go to him first and the game of tag you played with the recliner in the living room. As soon as he got up to do anything you would jump in the chair and then give him that sad, pitiful, "Please don't kick me out" look when he would come back. Mean old Terry made you move every time, didn't he?
You had your own song too.
Henry, Henry Aldridge
King of the Neuferland Zoo
You would do the body wiggle whenever I would sing that to you. You loved the postman even if he didn't love you. You saw them as treat givers, not bad people and would always let them know you were outside even if they were a half a block away. Lynn was your favorite, she always had a treat for you.
You made Joyce realize not all dogs are bad when she saw how gentle and sweet you were with James. He would hand feed you and you would take the food soooooooo carefully from his hand. He would pet you and hug you and you would sit there and soak it all in with a very patient look on your face.
You were a buddy dog and you are going to be missed so much when it's time to let you go. You were Melissa's boyfriend, my best friend and I know you are going to run like mad when you hit the meadows of Rainbow Bridge. I know you will join Lady and she will run with you and I know that Annie will be there to greet you for me and make you feel welcome but you know what? It doesn't make the pain of letting you go any easier.
Like I said earlier, you are talking to me, with your eyes. You aren't crying in pain but your eyes are telling me everything I need to know and it hurts me to see you hurting. I will release you my friend, my pal, my buddy, I will let you run free on the meadows and I will give Annie the pleasure of meeting you and becoming your buddy until Terry arrives to walk over the bridge with you because you know as well as I do that you were really his dog even if he would never admit it and you would never let him walk alone across the bridge to the other side.
Goodbye my good friend. God Speed.
Love,
Deannda and the rest of the Zoo |
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08/05/2004 12:13:26 PM · #2 |
It's not often that I am touched to the point of tears...
Now I have to go round up Juja (the dog otherwise known as JuJu Bean), Othello and Loki (the cats) for a group hug! |
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08/05/2004 12:14:03 PM · #3 |
What started out as such a beautiful story now has me sitting at my computer and crying my eyes out. It's still a beautiful story, I guess. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful friend you had and what a lovely tribute to him. My three dogs are all rescued animals and I can relate to how much they add to your life.
Jodie |
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08/05/2004 12:30:01 PM · #4 |
Oh Deannda, I have so many friends running in the meadows at Rainbow Bridge, I understand your pain so well
Yours tears are mine
Keep strong
Anabela |
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08/05/2004 01:13:01 PM · #5 |
Deannda, I'm sorry for your loss. I know how hard losing a pet can be. It happened to us in June of 2002, and it was the hardest thing my wife and I have ever had to deal with.
I leave with this:
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan..."
-- Irving Townsend, "The Once Again Prince"
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08/05/2004 01:21:26 PM · #6 |
Deannda the reps are asking why I'm crying....I'm telling them its because their sales suck....which they do right now....I miss my sister's cats horribly as I cannot have any where I live. Very, very sorry for your loss.
Message edited by author 2004-08-05 13:23:16.
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08/05/2004 01:21:38 PM · #7 |
Deannda,
What a heart-felt tribute. Now I miss my boxers more than ever (in a good way.)
Ara
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08/05/2004 01:36:30 PM · #8 |
(Wiping eyes so I can see to type) My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family who are losing an important member. It's not easy to let them go when it is time, but it is selfish to keep them around past their time as we so often try to do. You made the right choice... Release him to the service of the lord...
(wiping eyes again so I can see to edit the typos...)
Message edited by author 2004-08-05 13:38:07.
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08/05/2004 02:51:01 PM · #9 |
Just got back from the vets and it was the right decision. It was his knee caps on his back legs. They kept popping out and even with surgery there was no guarantee he would be pain free. He's free now and running like mad at the Rainbow Bridge.
Deannda
Thank you everyone for your thoughts |
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08/05/2004 02:56:50 PM · #10 |
The rainbow bridge is a nice place.. i have pets there too... if I may....
"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 bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his 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...."
Author unknown...
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08/05/2004 03:28:37 PM · #11 |
Our four footed friends are so very special, they're with us for just a brief period of our lives but help to make us the people we are....they leave their footprints on our souls. We are blessed to count them as our friends.
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08/06/2004 09:45:22 PM · #12 |
Spunky was there to meet him when he crossed. He loved to tease dogs into chasing him. I'm betting they are having a blast.
Clara- headbutts and purrs from Nimitz, and Tico. |
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08/06/2004 10:21:51 PM · #13 |
i have many friends that were there to meet Henry and i have a strong feeling that another dear friend will be following soon.
i add my tears to yours and my smiles for your sweet memories.
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08/06/2004 10:33:27 PM · #14 |
| Mister, Bret, Duke, Junior, and Tippy all crossed that brigde. I know your loss all too well...Very touching tribute. |
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08/07/2004 12:51:35 AM · #15 |
Deannda, how are your little ones dealing with the loss? I know it can be a really hard time for them to absorb...
Give them a hug for me will ya?
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08/07/2004 02:09:33 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by TooCool:
Deannda, how are your little ones dealing with the loss? I know it can be a really hard time for them to absorb...
Give them a hug for me will ya? |
They are doing okay, it helps to have the other dogs and cats around, Melissa took it the hardest. He loved sleeping on her bed and she had been working with him on his training, sit, stay, stuff like that. But she made a little memorial cross to put on his grave and said her good byes.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and words, they mean a great deal to me.
Deannda
Bedtime is the hardest time, that was treat and belly rub time :) |
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