Ben

BEN

The Other Side

I have cried a river for you
So you can swim to the other side
Just follow that stick with
My last hug and kiss
Swim baby swim
To get to the other side
Where the grass is always green
The sun always shines and
Will warm you tired bones
Swim baby swim
A treat is always waiting
And play time never stops
Just remember to look for me
When I take my final swim
I will see your tail a wagging
Can't wait for my licks from you
When I get to the other side

--D Whyten, for Hogan 03/12/08

Sue Smith 6 days ago

BEN

The Greatest Gift


I always knew this time would come
From the very first time our eyes first met
How I loved you then! How I love you now!
I made a promise then and I keep that promise now.
You will not suffer from a pain that will not heal,
You will not know the loss of a life remembered, now gone.
It is for me alone to make this decision.
The price for the bright joy and pure laughter.
You brought me during the time we shared.
I am the only one who can decide when it is time
Just when I need you most, I must let you go.
It is for you alone to tell me when you are ready,
For without your guidance, I will not know
When to lay my grief, my guilt, my anger,
My sorrow and my selfish heart aside
And give you the last gift, the greatest gift.
Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.
The pain of this moment is excruciating,
Tears stream down my face in a river of sorrow,
And my heart drowns in a pool of grief.
For you have spoken and I have listened
And unlike other decisions I have made,
This one brings no relief...no comfort...no peace
For if there's one thing I have learned...
Unconditional love has a condition after all.
I must be willing to let you go when you speak to me,
I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.
Go easily now, go quickly now,
Do not linger here, it is time for you to leave.
Go find the ones who have gone before you.
You are free to leave me now, free to let your spirit soar.
I pray I will find comfort in my memories...
In the dark and lonely days ahead
I cannot say I will not miss you,
I cannot say I will not cry,
For only my tears can heal my broken heart.
But I promise you this...
as long as I live...You will live
Alive in my mind, forever in my heart
And this will be my greatest gift...
Sending you away
It is the measure of my unconditional love...
For only the greatest love can say
“Goodbye, go find the Rainbow Bridge
and yes, we'll meet again.
Loving you has been the greatest gift of all.”
Karla Bertram

Sue Smith October 22, 2009

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 they 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 gone by. The animals are so 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 each day, but then the day comes when one suddenly stops and peers 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 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 soft head, and you finally get to look once again into the loving eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

Author unknown...

Angie Fieldsend October 22, 2009

Precious Love

The agony is so great...
and yet I will stand it.
Had I not loved so very much...
I would not hurt so much.
But God knows I would not want to diminish
that precious love...
By one fraction of an ounce.
I will hurt...
And I will be grateful for that hurt
For it bears witness to the depth of my love.
And for that I will be eternally grateful.

AUTHOR:UNKNOWN

Joanne Stella'S Mam October 22, 2009

Ben's poem to my Mum x x x x

I STOOD BY YOUR BED



I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying. You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today. Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "Good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

Ben Smith April 20, 2009

With much Love. xxx

My Forever Friend
I know that it must be different,
now that I am no longer there.
I realize how much I was loved
and how all of you 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'll take some time,
the happy times you shared with me,
the memories are yours and mine.
I'll remember you, my friends,
and how much you meant to me.
So please don't grieve and don't be sad,
it was just my time to leave.
xxx

Poppy Samuel April 20, 2009

When a dog offers you his heart
Accept it with a smile
For his love will last a lifetime -
Which is such a little while.

When a dog offers you his heart
Take it gladly and with pride
For he will be a faithful friend
Ever by your side.

A dog loves you because you're you -
Not for how you speak or what job you do
You could be short, tall, thin or fat
Or ugly as sin, he doesn't care about that.

A dog knows if you're good or bad
He can see inside your soul
When he decides you're okay
To earn your love is his main goal.

When you're sad, he'll comfort you
And kiss away each tear
You may even wake up in the morning
With a cold nose in your ear.

When eventually the time comes
And the lights in his eyes dim
A new star will shine in Heaven
In remembrance of him.

You'll gaze up at the midnight sky
And you will hear him say -
"I'm so glad you were my human
We'll meet again some day!"

So, if this poem has caused a tear to fall
That's because you love the dog who's giving you his all

Go travel on together, happily paw in glove
He's the only one who'll ever give you unconditional love.

When a dog offers you his heart
Accept it with a smile
For his love will last a lifetime -
Which is such a little while.

Michelle Dunlop (Owner) October 30, 2008