Web Site

 is Dedicated

In LOVING Memory to Our 

Beloved Friends

_______________________

 

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even 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, in The Once Again Prince

Lady

 1977  -  1987

"When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
Lady was a great teacher, her most important lessons:
unconditional love and caring more naturally for animal companions.

Lady was beautiful dog, a mixed breed, mostly Collie, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd.  She was the pick of the litter and the young gal who chose her and named her was best friends with the gal who was the guardian of dam.  There was a problem when Lady went to her new home, it seemed that the girl's brother was allergic to dogs.  So, they needed to find a good home for Lady and it turned out to be with me.

She came into my life just at a turning point.  I believe that she was my Angel Guide who lead me on a firm footing, to the path of a higher consciousness.  It was with Lady, that I learned about the Unconditional Love that dogs give us.  She was the reason I found out about Holistic Veterinary Medicine because she was a patient of Dr. Richard Kearns in MA, and we were following his suggestions for natural care.  I didn't know it then, but what can happen with many of the Collie related breed dogs, happened to her: she had two toxic reactions to ivermectin, the heartworm preventative drug, and was unable to recover from the second one.

Lady was as loving and smart as she was beautiful.  We were truly Kindred Spirits and had wonderful times together.  When we went for walks, all the kiddos in the neighborhood called out to her and she was happy to greet them.  One girl was thrilled to be chosen by me to be Lady's "walker", so that after school, she had a nice job of taking Lady for a walk while I was at work. That was great for everyone.

My lasting memory of her is how kind and gentle she was -- always. Back in those days we would go for rides and stop to visit other dogs.  They were just friends she hadn't met.  I was so very fortunate to have had Lady as my teacher for all those years.  The good memories and her Spirit remain in my heart.

This little message from Richard Bach has helped comfort me over the years, especially when I think of my beloved Lady:

 Don’t be dismayed

             at good-byes.

A farewell is necessary

      before you can meet

             --again.

          And meeting again

          after moments or lifetimes,

            is certain

             for those who are  Friends.

 

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Paco

Pachebel Canon

1989   -  2000

 

Paco was gorgeous -- a big, beautiful Golden with the wonderful temperament that the breed is supposed to have.  He was mellow, yet up-beat in his personality. Although I allowed too many "annual booster" and rabies vaccinations (5 of each) during his first 5 years, he had none in his last 6 years.  He was the picture of health with a beautiful, shiny coat, good energy level, and he eagerly joined me for our daily walks. The only clues we had that something was not right was that for the first time in 11 years, he refused his supper.  The next night while in my arms, he slipped into unconsciousness to allow his spirit to be released from his body. As you can imagine, it was a devastating shock to us.  The post mortem indicated that Paco bled internally to death and what appeared to be hemangiosarcoma, tumors on his spleen. By the time any symptoms are seen it is too late as death is usually hours away. Thankfully, my husband, and I, along with our other dogs and cats, were there and surrounded him with our love. We all were able to say good-bye to our beloved friend.

Paco was the kind of Golden who had a 'nobility' about him. One had only to be in his presence for a brief time to realize that he was a Being with grace who was truly extraordinary. Only a handful of folks have had this experience and all have remarked that they have never met another dog like him in their entire lives. Words cannot adequately describe the feeling -- about the only way to get a sense of this is to say that to be with Paco was as though one was in the presence of a Saint. Paco enjoyed life and lived in the moment. He had a big heart, always friendly, and enthusiastically greeted everyone. He was very gentle, intelligent, had a great sense of humor, and capable of knowing things of which I have yet to dream. He was never afraid of loud noises and in his own way, let me know when thunderstorms were approaching, long before any other typical outward sign, which helped me with my horses. Our cats slept next to and on top of him. He was a healer and protector, ever faithful with steady, constant and unwavering love beyond human understanding.

We know that we were very blessed to have had the gift of sharing our lives with Paco for those 11 years. Of course, we would have wanted more time with him. We are heartbroken yet relieved that he did not suffer and died peacefully at home. Paco is the sire of our other Golden, Danny Boy, a gorgeous, energetic 'typical boy' who is 11 years old. We know that Paco's spirit and love did not die. We mourn the great loss until we are able to celebrate his wonderful life and accept his passing into the realm of the spirit. We know that time will heal the deep wound in our hearts and that this sorrow will leave to be replaced by our treasured memories of our beloved Paco.

 

And if I go, while you're still here ~
know that I still live on
vibrating to a different measure
behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to the fullest.
And when you need me,
just whisper my name in your heart,
~ I will be there.

                                                -- Colleen Hitchcock

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That look in her eye

                                       as she glanced back up at me from

her resting spot at the top of the stoop,

         Maggie Mae                          brought me back

to when she was just a pup

                      1988  –  2001                                  a black ball of fluff

and all one could see was that white crescent of her pretty brown eyes.

That was well over nine years ago

I remember it like it was last week.

She’s more precious to me today

maturing to her respected matriarchal position acknowledged by the male dogs and all the cats.

I smile and walk back to the kitchen

leaving her to keep her watch

of her back yard territory

I think to myself

she’s still a funny pup

ever reminding me to

remember to “roo-roo”!

    Helen L. McKinnon

                                          1997

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Sweet Kelia

2002   -  2003

If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,

She Is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone

or you can smile because she lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back

or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and lose your mind,

be empty and turn your back

or you can do what she'd want:

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

                                                   ------ Author Unknown

_________________________________________________________________

at age 12

George

1988   -  2003

 

            A Bridge Called Love

It takes us back to brighter years,
to happier sunlit days
and to precious moments
that will be with us always.
And these fond recollections
are treasured in the heart
to bring us always close to those
from whom we had to part.

There is a bridge of memories
from earth to Heaven above...
It keeps our dear ones near us

It's the bridge that we call love.

              ------  Author Unknown

 

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Helpful Information Concerning Bereavement

LONE BALD OVERLOOK

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina - October 2005

Photo courtesy of Robert W. Cauley

(web photo has imbedded copyright watermark)

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Flower Essences

Other Links for Dealing With Loss of a Beloved Companion