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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

"Poppy" White Poppy Flower
August 8, 1979 - May 15, 1994

My dear Poppy....the things you taught me. Your father was a champion yet, you lived the life of a mill dog, always having puppies. When you were no longer able to care for them, you were ordered destroyed or to be given away. I begged for you and for your "papers"...I got what I asked for on the agreement that if you had and raised another litter she would get half; of course, I agreed and then called the vet for a spay appointment. I was in high school then...it took my whole paycheck (and I'm sure some money from mom) but it had to be done. Never housebroken, you took right to it...my idea of housebreaking you was to get you a wicker bed that you came to love so very much and lock you in my bedroom with me at night. Never once did you have an accident...scratching at the door frame when you needed to get out (sorry Mom & Dad), you knew it would be a good life..... You hated to be brushed so you had the clippers taken to you regularly and what a sight you were after that....I could never bring myself to shave your little tail or the fuzz off your head, but we came to an agreement and you let me groom those areas! When I moved away from home for a few years you lived with Grandma & Grandpa and I took you home as soon as we moved, but to your surprise we now had an obnoxious Lab puppy. You ruled Taro with an iron jaw, teaching him manners, what "leave me alone" meant, then came Ruger and you taught him as well...what a sight to see two huge boys cower at your grumble, wait for you to finish eating what you wanted and move out of your way every time. As the years went on you lost your vision, your teeth and your hearing, but never your spirit. When the day came, you let us know it was time... Thank you, dear Poppy, for the years of companionship.... I love you!!!

Baby Boy
January 2000

How I got your mother was a sad story... I was assured she was not pregnant, nor were any of the other 6 girls that came with her; she was so thin that there was no reason to think otherwise. Upon returning from a dog show, I went out to feed and care for everyone. As I was measuring out food, your mother snapped at her kennel mate. In only having her two weeks, this was absolutely the sweetest dog I've ever met....this was unlike her. I glanced into her kennel & verbally corrected her, thinking that she was defending the rawhide chip that was between her front legs. She did it again only this time she was NASTY about it...she meant business. I verbally corrected her & opened the door...she started crying & nudging her rawhide...pleading me with her eyes. I looked again and there you were! I scooped up your lifeless little body as she cried...her kennelmate looked relieved. I have no idea how long you'd been in this kennel run, in the end of January; you were frozen, but dry. I turned your mother loose & raced toward the house with you in hand, knowing that she would follow. As I reached the half way point, I heard the faint, yet unmistakable sound of a newborn puppy.......YOU WERE STILL ALIVE!!! You were so stiff that when I picked you up nothing moved...including your tail!

I placed you under my shirt against my body & ran! If you were truly alive, I would do all I could to help you fight! I warmed up the oven & turned it back off, with mom dancing around my kitchen barking. I placed you in a shoe box, wrapped in towels, in the warm oven with the door open. I quickly readied a whelping box for mom, who I had to bodily drag away from you. She stood in the box & barked while I warmed, rubbed, and crooned; in an hour I had movement like that of a just out of the sack baby.... You wouldn't nurse. It is now 11:30 pm....needless to say the vets office is closed and I still have no more contractions from mom....no new puppies, either. I made the call & woke up the vet...she'll meet me in 20 minutes. Upon an x-ray, there are no more puppies and upon physical exam, both you and mom are fine. Four days out your nose and pads start to turn an off color...back to the vet. You have suffered frost bite; Lord, hasn't he been through enough? "Keep him clean, make sure that he is gaining everyday". You stopped nursing on day five...it is too painful; now we are dropper feeding every two hours. On day seven you passed over to the Rainbow Bridge..... I lost a very dear soul on that day and though you were conceived without any cares or forethought on the part of your mother's then owner....I hope you felt loved. I cannot wait to see you again, my dear baby....you are cherished and sorely missed!

"Shandy"

November 1, 2002 - April 8, 2003

My Sweet  Shandy, As I sit here writing this I still can't believe your gone.  Lost to a freak accident at such a young age.  My bundle of bouncing energy...what a combination of both your parents best qualities.  You will live in my heart and soul forever, my sweet baby girl.............  

                                                      "Ruger"

Can, UKC CH Sunflights Gem's Ruger, WC, CD

September 24, 1993 - August 8, 2005

My "heart dog".....  Until you have one, you never know exactly what that means.  Loosing a pet is always hard, but your "heart dog", is your heart.  The day you left, will be a day I feel forever....there is so much of my heart & soul that is tied to your gentle being.....  My sweet boy, I miss you and cherish every moment we had together..........

                           "Lincoln"

Karimar's Capital Investments

November 19, 2004 - November 22, 2005

My bouncy, kissy,  baby boy....such hopes I had for our future....  Your life cut short...too short.  Rest well and be whole, my sweet baby.......  Bounce, bark and play until your heart is content....give Ruger my love.  I miss you both terribly......

My sweet "Vinnie Bob"....my love.  Everyone's friend, show dog supreme, Paws With A Cause sire, silly, funny boy....you never met a stranger; everyone was surely your forever friend...  Ripped away from us by a stray bullet fired by a careless, thoughtless person while playing in your own yard.........may you rest in peace my sweet love.  Play with Ruger and Lincoln.......give them our love.

Our dear "OldMan"....  You've raised two human children and countless puppies with your gentle teachings.  You got me back into the show ring, the obedience ring and into field work.  Always the showman, you tried my patience in the field tests, but ALWAYS got the bird in real life.  You are our tried and true once in a lifetime hunting companion... upland, waterfowl, rabbit and tracking lost large game, you never missed a beat.  Rest and be well old friend....tell Poppy we still think of her often...tell Ruger and Vin that their loss still leaves a deep hole in my heart, but that I think of them no longer with deep sorrow, but with happy thoughts of wonderful times spent together.  We miss you all so very much.........

Our dear old "Fancy Pants".... You came into our lives totally unplanned and earned yourself a place in our hearts forever.  You've touched the lives of so many people, through your children and grandchildren; passing on your sweet gentle ways.  If there was ever a "baby" in need of care....be it human, kitten or puppy, you were there...the first one in line to be the forever care giver even well into your retirement years.  Give your sweet kisses to all that went to the bridge before you...tell them that we think of them often with love and as the days go on, with less sadness...  Tell your sweet unplanned "baby boy" (January 2000) that we miss him also and often think of what he could have been and how very strong he was.  We love you "old woman" and miss you terribly.