​PRAYER OF A STRAY

Dear God please send me somebody who'll care!

I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair

My body is aching, it's so racked with pain

And dear God I pray as I run in the rain

That someone will love me and give me a home

A warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone

My last owner tied me all day in the yard

Sometimes with no water and God that was hard!

​

So I chewed my leash God; and I ran away

To rummage in garbage; and live as a stray

But now God I'm tired; and hungry and cold

And I'm Oh so afraid; that I'll never grow old

They've chased me with sticks; hit me with stones

While I run the streets; just looking for bones

I'm not really bad God; please help if you can

For I have become just another; "victim of man!"

​

I'm wormy dear God; and I'm ridden with fleas

and all that I ever wanted; was an owner to please

If you find one for me God; I'll try to be good

I won't chew their shoes; and I'll do as I should

I'll love them; protect them; and try to obey

When they tell me to sit; to lie down or to stay!

​

I don't think I'll make it; too long on my own

Cause I'm getting so weak; and I'm Oh so alone

Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry

Cause I'm so afraid God; that I'm gonna die

I've got so much love; and devotion to give

That I should be given; a new chance to live

​

So dear God please; oh please; answer my prayer

and send me to somebody; who will really care

That is dear God; if You're really there!

 

by John Quealy

​

​​

IF IT SHOULD BE...

​If it should be that 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 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 where, to 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 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.

 

- Author Unknown 

​

​

​

REMEMBER OUR LOVE

I was chosen today

I'm learning to fly

The world took me away,

But please don't you cry

​

And I chose you today

To try and be strong

So please don't you cry

And don't say that I'm gone

​

When you're feeling alone

Just remember our love,

I'm up near the stars

Looking down from above.

​

Remember our love

In a moment you'll see

That I'm still here beside you

When you're thinking of me. -

 

Julie Epp 

​

​

TREASURED FRIEND

I lost a treasured friend today

The little dog who used to lay

Her gentle head upon my knee

And shared her silent thoughts with me.

​

She’ll come no longer to my call

Retrieve no more her favourite ball

A voice far greater than my own

Has called her to his golden throne.

​

Although my eyes are filled with tears

I thank him for the happy years

He let her spend down here with me

And for her love and loyalty.

​

When it is time for me to go

And join her there, this much

I know I shall not fear the transient dark

For she will greet me with a bark.

 

Author Unknown

​

​

RAINBOW BRIDGE

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 the Rainbow Bridge together....

 

(Author unknown)

​

​

GOLDEN EYES

When golden eyes no longer glow, and we both know it’s time to go,

Don’t look at me with eyes so sad, but think of better times we had,

When sunlight did upon us shine, and happy days were yours and mine,

And through the grass we both did run, and on our backs we felt the sun,

Think not of this dark final hour, think not of when our lives turned sour,

Think not of hopelessness and pain, but think of joy and laugh again.

​

For in that final act of love, you released me to heaven above,

Where finally from pain I’m free, where one day you will join with me,

Where together again we will rejoice, and you and I as with one voice,

Will in perfect harmony sing, of the joy and pain that love can bring,

And remember me just as I will, always think of you until,

At last again I see your face, grieve not, I am in a better place.

​

Carol Walker

​

​

FOUR FEET

I have done mostly what most men do,

And pushed it out of my mind;

But I can't forget, if I wanted to,

Four-Feet trotting behind.

​

Day after day, the whole day through --

Wherever my road inclined --

Four-feet said, "I am coming with you!"

And trotted along behind.

​

Now I must go by some other round, --

Which I shall never find --

Somewhere that does not carry the sound

Of Four-Feet trotting behind.

​

Rudyard Kipling

​