I was standing on a hillside, in a field of blowing wheat
And the spirit of a German Shepherd Dog was lying at my feet.
He looked at me with kind dark eyes, ancient wisdom shining through
And in the essence of his being his love shone clear and true.
His mind did lock upon my heart as I stood there on that day
And he told me of this story about a place so far away.
His tale did put my heart at ease, my fears did fade away
About what lay ahead of me on another distant day
"I live among God's creatures now in the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend for I am with my kind.
My collar is a rainbow's hue, my leash a shooting star.
My boundaries are the Milky Way where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here, and I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens among my Shepherd kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud, gentle breezes rocking me
And dream the dreams of Earthlings and how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats and tennis balls abound
And Milkbones line the walkways just waiting to be found.
There even is a ring set up - the grass all lush and green
And everyone who gaits around becomes the Best of Breed.
For we're all winners in this place, we have no faults, you see
And God passes out those ribbons to each one, even me.
I drink from waters laced with gold my world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride to amble at my very side.
At night I sleep in an angel's arms, her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us as stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent, and you stand at Heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness for here, you know I wait".
-author unknown to me-

If you ever love a dog, there are three days in your life you will always remember....

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simple because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet--and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness.

And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives. And on this day--if your friend and God have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own--on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you--you will feel as lone as a single star in the dark night. If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you. But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size than your own--seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come. And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg--very, very lightly. And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay--you will remember those three significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when--along with the memory of your pet--and piercing through the heaviness in your heart--there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love--like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets--it is a Love we will always possess.

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.

Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.

Amen.
   - written by Kim Crenshaw, March 1998 for Brandy, beloved companion
Permission to reproduce and/or circulate this prayer is granted with the condition that the copyright and credit remains attached.
May it help others who face the decision to help their beloved pets across the Rainbow Bridge.
Brandy's webpage address is: http://www.otch.com/brandy.htm

If it should be I grow frail and weak,
And pain should 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 must stand the test. 
You won't want me to suffer so,
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend;
Only, stay with me until the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
a great kindness you have done for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you,
Who must decide this thing to do; 
We've had so many happy years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-- Author Unknown to Me --