RIP Jezebel, Miss Jesse James
1989 - 2012

Author Unknown ~ 

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.... 

 )O( )O( )O(

If It Should Be ~ Anonymous

If it should be that I grow weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done,

For this 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 all the rest,

Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years -

What is to come can hold no fears.

You'd not want me to suffer so;

The time has come, so let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend

And please stay with me until the end.

Hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see

The kindness that you did for me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve - it must be you

Who had this painful thing to do.

We've been so close, we two, these years -

Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

)O( )O( )O(

Lend Me a Horse ~ Anonymous

I will lend to you for awhile,

a Horse, God said,

For you to love her while she lives

and mourn for her when she's dead.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,

or maybe two or three

But will you, 'till I call her back,

take care of her for me.

She'll bring her charms to gladden you

and (should her stay be brief)

you'll always have her memories

as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,

since all from earth return

But there are lessons taught below

I want this Horse to learn.

I've looked the whole world over

in search of teachers true

And from the folk that crowd's life's land

I have chosen you.

Now will you give her all your love

Nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to take my Horse back again.

I fancied that I heard them say

"Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,"

For all the joys this Horse will bring,

the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness

we'll love her while we may

And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay

But should you call her back

much sooner than we've planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,

and try to understand.

If, by our love, we've managed,

your wishes to achieve

In memory of her we loved,

to help us while we grieve,

When our faithful steed departs this world of strife,

We'll have yet another Horse and love her all her life.

)O( )O( )O(

The Power of the Horse (sic Dog)

by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way

From men and women to fill our day;

And when we are certain of sorrow in store,

Why do we always arrange for more?

Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware

Of giving your heart to a Horse to tear.

Buy a Horse and your money will buy

Love unflinching that cannot lie--

Perfect passion and worship fed

By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.

Nevertheless it is hardly fair

To risk your heart for a Horse to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits

Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,

And the vet's unspoken prescription runs

To lethal chambers or loaded guns,

Then you will find--it's your own affair--

But...you've given your heart for a Horse to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,

With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);

When the spirit that answered your every mood

Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,

You will discover how much you care,

And will give your heart for the Horse to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,

When it comes to burying Christian clay.

Our loves are not given, but only lent,

At compound interest of cent per cent.

Though it is not always the case, I believe,

That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,

A short-time loan is as bad as a long--

So why in Heaven (before we are there)

Should we give our hearts to a Horse to tear?

)O( )O( )O(

There Must be a Heaven ~ Anonymous

There must be a heaven for the animal friends we love.

They are not human, yet they bring out our own humanity. . .

sometimes in ways that other people cannot.

They do not worry about fame or fortune. . .

instead, they bring our hearts nearer to the joy of simple things.

Each day they teach us little lessons in trust and steadfast affection.

Whatever heaven may be, there's surely a place in it for friends as good as these.

Anyone who has loved a pet can understand your loss.

May it help to know how much others care