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....
Author unknown...
"Dogs Welcome"
A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his vacation.
He wrote: I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well-groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"
An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who wrote:
SIR: "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too."
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.
A Simple Touch
As I entered the hospital ward, the only sounds where the soft whispers of the nurses talking behind the desk and the hum of machines in the patients rooms.
We make our way to the front desk to get today’s visitation sheet. Today’s count is eight patients to visit. We are all set; “Let’s Go” and we are off.
As I approach the room I can see that the curtains on the windows are drawn, making the room dark. I tap lightly on the door not wanting to awaken a sleeping patient.
“Hello, Allen? I am Annie and I have my dog Jenny here to visit with you.
Would you like a visit?
Right away, I am aware that the nurse is adjusting the IV medicine.
I ask would you like us to come back later.
No I am all done here for now. She replays.
Our Patient is propped up in the bed, IV is running to his arm and both legs look to have large covering on them.
I notice he is very shaky and pale.
“We can visit tomorrow if you not feeling well? I ask.
I see tears on the rim of his eyes, as he replays, “No, Please. I need this. I need the distraction from the pain.”
I am aware that Jenny will not be able to do a bed visit but that maybe a bedside visit will work.
I do not want to add any discomfort to our patient if she was to be on the bed. I lay the towel on the side area and give Jenny the command “Jenny Up”
Up she goes on to my lap, as I am squatting bedside.
She wants to get closer to say “hello”. I hold her back and let him touch Jenny’s head. Jenny is a kisser and he laughs lightly as the kisses are in creasing and the tail wiggles nonstop.
We talk about the AAT program, his past pets and he visits to come this week.
As I clean the area and prepare to leave, a soft ‘Thank You” comes to me with a sigh.
“I needed this, will you be back tomorrow?”
“Not Jenny and I but I am sure that you will have a nice visit with another team tomorrow”.
I say our good- byes and slip from the room as I get ready for the next patient visit, I must regroup, wipe my tears, and get that smile back into place.
Jenny is all ready way before I am. I smile and kiss my sweet girl, “Let’s Go”
Going into the program I thought it would be a “we’re helping them to feel better”. However, it has become much more then this. It is now a “they are giving us so much”. As we look into a small part of their day and know that, we are only here a few moments but we will remember the faces, stories, and emotions for much longer. Annie and Jenny.2013
