Death of a Doodle

[Wendy and Myla]

I'm not sure if this is the place or what I'm really trying to say but I'm just going from my heart!  When I found this website, I had just lost my Zak and was looking for another doodle.  I was totally obsessed with all of the information and I learned so much!!!  What I did find, while going through all of the comments was that there were some awesome poems to deceased doodles that actually made me cry!  I just recently had a friend whose beloved dog passed away and I couldn't find any of these poems on this site, no matter what I tried in the search engine - now if I didn't do this correctly, please let me know.  What I'm thinking is that maybe we should have a place on DK where all of these inspirational poems are posted - I don't know if it should be a group, because they are hard to find unless you know the name but maybe just a heading that people can go to in order to find a peaceful poem that means something to them.  When you have lost a loved one, sometimes you just can't go to the forum, because you can't deal with the happy stuff but I know that some of these poems were awesome to me and now I just can't find them - especially the Rainbow Bridge one.  Karen had also posted an awesome tribute that I can't find right at the moment.  I think that maybe a heading with these inspirational poems or maybe just a "group" that had all of these poems that people find at the beginning and then after that people can just post their dogs pictures and a RIP with dates of birth and death so that they will always be on this website, even after death.  I was never on this website when I had my Zak, but I know that now, if Myla passed away, I would want her picture on this website forever.  Am I making sense????

[Lynda Kamrath]

You definitely are making sense.   It would be wonderful to have a place to go for inspiration when a pet passes over the Rainbow Bridge.  And a very timely request.  Today would have been Hondo's tenth birthday.  He died in Sept. of 2010 but is still with me all the time.  My best dog ever.  I think first you need to make a special group and then people can join the group and put up their poems, remembrances, etc.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Great idea

[Christine & Camus]

This is another Rainbow Bridge poem/story, which is also posted in the Rainbow Bridge Group on the DRC website:

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Here is one of my favorites from when we lost Sophie.  My Sister got it for me and framed it with a photo of Sophie.  The words read:

My Forever Friend

I know that it must be different,

now that I am no longer here.

I realize how much I was loved

and how you all did care.

I know it will be hard at first

when you look around for me

Expecting to find me in my bed

or beside my favorite tree.

Someday you will begin to see,

although it will take some time,

the happy times you shared with me,

the memories are yours and mine.

I'll remember you, my family,

and how much you meant to me.

So please don't grieve and don't be sad.

It was just my time to leave.

[Wendy and Myla]

That's beautiful!  And what a beautiful gift from your sister!  I love the little angel in front too!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I love the angel as well.  It was a gift from Lori (Daphne and Lucy) when we were in Florida!  I have several of those angel's! 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

What a beautiful tribute to you and Sophie, actually to the entire family. I love it so much.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are all kinds of Pet Loss Poems websites on the internet. Here's a good one:

http://www.petloss.com/poems/poems.htm

There is a Rainbow Bridge Group here on DK, but it only has 4 members and is not active. Perhaps you could start a new group, Wendy, where people could post poems and tributes. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just a few of my favorites:

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/lastwill.htm 

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/wheretob.htm

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/frcircle.htm

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/dogspryr.htm

http://www.griefhealing.com/the-fourth-day.htm

My very favorite verse, from the Eugene O'Neill poem:

"One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved". No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail."

[Adrianne Matzkin]

When I saw this on Dogtown I emailed asking where I could find a copy of the service that was done for Bruno, a long time resident of Dogtown. This is what they sent.

The following Prayer for a Pet’s Memorial Service was written by Suzanne C. Cole and appears in the book Animal Blessings by June Cotner and published by HarperSanFrancisco.  All placement readings at Best Friends are personalized and adapted, so each is unique.  The National Geographic show Dogtown showed a portion of the following reading adapted by Uncle Lenny for Bruno’s placement:

Prayer for a Pet’s Memorial Service

God of all creatures, ease our grief today as we bid farewell to Bruno, whose passing leaves a gap in our family circle.  He demanded so little of us – fresh water, food, a patch of sunlight for sun-bathing, our presence – and gave so much in return – uncritical, undemanding, unlimited affection and devotion for all of us.  Greeting each day, each moment, happily on its own terms, he showed us how to live in the present rather than regret the past or worry about the future.  His easy forgiveness of our flaws, his inability to hold a grudge, gave us an example of grace.  Creator, we’re grateful for being allowed to share his life for our allotted time.  We will miss him bounding through our family life, but he will always be present in our hearts.  Amen.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I think you need to tag this post so whenever someone else is looking they can find it.

[Karen and Bridget]

I think it's a great idea to tag this post