June 18, 2008 - More to Remember You By

Dear Little Dog,

It was overcast and raining a bit this morning. I have always loved the rain and mornings such as this, but you were so afraid of storms, Little Dog, and you hated to get your feet wet. Then, I saw it . . . a huge rainbow overhead. Did you see it, too? I'll bet you had a better view of it from where you are. I thought of you and that poem "The Rainbow Bridge" and wondered if it was God's way of telling us that you really are waiting for us in such a place.

I found out that your bookmarks were shipped two days ago so they will be here soon. The clinic hasn't called to say that your ashes are back and ready for pick up. Thank God in some respects though I do wish to bring "you" home. I want the call, but I don't. We haven't been back to the vet since your last appointment. I think it is still too soon.

I found another website where pets can be memorialized, and so, I have created a site for you. You even have your own web address. It is http://little.pets-memories.com. I want to thank pets-memories.com for having such a beautiful free service available to those who grieve the loss of loved ones.

Another website that I found last night is called www.seefido.com, and there is a beautiful and thoughtful forum there to discuss pets who are living and those who have passed away. I am going to start a memorial thread there for you, too, as they invite grieving pet owners to do so.

Love and miss you, Little!

June 14, 2008 - Little's Bookmark

I had to go searching for the poem you see on here. This poem is my favorite when it comes to the loss of our pets.

The problem in finding it was that I could only remember just a few words of it. I put those words into the search bar on Google, and one of the first links, if not the first link was to an article written by an editor of an Indiana newspaper who was being faced with the same thing that we had just gone through - - her dog's final days. A friend of hers had given her the poem that I needed for Little's memorial bookmark, and she generously offered it in her article about her dog.

I had to order a minimum of 16 bookmarks to order them, and I had no idea what I would do with 16 bookmarks of Little Dog. Still, I ordered them anyways. We love her, and we wanted to do this for her.

Over the last few days, we have received several notes and cards from family and friends expressing kind words of support and in honor of Little. So, I have now decided that as soon as I receive the bookmarks, I will send a "thank you" and bookmark to everyone who remembered us - and Little - during this sad time.

June 13, 2008 - Finding Ways To Cope

I have found some things that help. Note: I am not saying that these things take the pain away or help with the loss, but it is helping pass the time now that Little Dog is not here. It is also helping us to channel our grief in positive and comforting ways.

First, we have a page at www.dogster.com so we updated Little Dog's page and put in a journal entry there and even, for the first time, posted in on one of their Forum threads concerning the loss of a pet. Some very kind people on that site have sent messages and even given a "candle" to Little Dog. This has helped.

Secondly, one of the kind people at www.dogster.com referred me to a website called "www.petloss.com". I added Little to the Bridge List and Tributes. This fine website has a "Candlelight Ceremony" every Monday night for those who grieve the loss of their pets.

Thirdly, I got an image in my mind of a funeral remembrance card so I thought "Why not?" I went online and found a beautiful and thoughtful company called www.momorialcards.com, and I ordered actual bookmarks that are memorial cards. I chose the picture of Little, the background, and what would be said. A special thanks to MoMorial Cards for their courtesy and professionalism. They had a "proof" back to me in my e-mailbox within an hour of my submitting the order.

Last, but not least, and for us Most Important of All: We decided quickly after Little Dog passed away that the thing that was tearing us up most was the pressure to "heal", "get over her", or to just "move on". So, we had to make a decision that was right for us. It is bad enough to have to deal with the loss of a pet when you do not want them gone, but it just makes things even worse when your feelings must be forced as well. So, we decided that we would grieve, and we would also memorialize her in our home. A place of prominence has been selected where her ashes will be placed up on a shelf that we will purchase. Next to her ashes, we will display a carefully selected photograph of our Dear Friend during one of her finer moments. Preferably something that makes us all smile. Most likely, a pic of her actually smiling. We have spent the past nearly two weeks working on all of the pictures that we have of Little. Luckily, there are many, many pics, and they were already uploaded on the computer. We have created a file folder calling "Little Memorial" where all of those pictures are. We also downloaded them to a flash drive for safekeeping. When this huge undertaking is complete, we are having the photos developed in various sizes and purchasing corresponding frames for them. We are then going to dedicate a wall for Little Dog. We are just so used to seeing her and her things in our everyday lives. It may sound unhealthy to some, but why should we have to remove all traces of her and force ourselves to try to forget her just so others can deem us "healthy". It will be of great comfort for us to see our Little Dog when coming and going from our home. Having her here - knowing that she was here - was a big part of our lives. So, Little Dog will be here.

Because we do not want to forget her.

Because we do love her.

Because it just isn't home without her here to say goodbye to on our way out or to be here to greet us when we return.

June 11, 2008 - The Rainbow Bridge

Everyone has been referring us to the poem entitled "The Rainbow Bridge". I am familiar with it. I'm sure that I myself have referenced it for just such an occasion.

So, I thought I'd post it right here.


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...

June 5, 2008 - Obituary

June 5, 2008

It was such a difficult day for us, Little. In fact, the days - even weeks - leading up to this day were unspeakably difficult. We love you so much that we wanted to keep you with us forever, but loving you meant that we had to consider you and put you first, and you weren't well, Little Dog. You were not well. You had grown old, as we all will, and your health was failing. But still, we couldn't let go. We continued to know and remember you as you were . . . happy, healthy, and the life of our home.

You still are the life of our home, and you always will be.

Here is the announcement that we emailed to family and friends:

Little Dog
?/?/???? - 6/5/2008
Age: 10+ years

Our home is quieter today and emptier than we ever imagined possible. Today, we grieve in ways unspeakable.

Our Little Dog came into our lives unexpectedly and captured our hearts even more unexpectedly.

Named "Little Dog" as a means of temporary identification since our intent was to find her a home when she found herself homeless . . . and within weeks, our hearts were her home.

Her life with us started just the same way that it ended: In our arms, and today, she took her last breath while in the comfort of our arms.

We never knew her birthday, but we will never forget the day she passed from this life.

Gone but not forgotten.
She was - and will forever be -
Little Dog with the Big Heart!

June 10, 2008 - In Loving Memory . . .

I am at such a loss as I sit here during the day without you, Dear Friend. I have begun to go through old pictures of you and even return to forums that I have participated in to see what I said about you. I cannot believe how many pictures we have taken of you, Pretty Little. And yes, of course, I shared you with others as I chatted on the forum.


Written on March 6, 2007, about you, Little Dog, on a forum:

I took in a six year old Shihtzu a couple of years ago because she was being dumped. First of all, I am not a "little dog person" so I was apprehensive about this and did it with the intention of finding her a permanent home. Well, after just two weeks, she felt like she had always been part of the family. Yes, she dominated the rest of the "pack" as well. The Doberman would actually run from her and let her jump up and bite him without doing anything to her. (She was playing, but it looked painful.) She seems very human and seems to strive for it. She seems a bit "high maintenance", but she always seems to make you feel like it is YOUR idea to worship her. I read about these dogs, and it said that they want to be worshipped rather than the other way around, and I'd have to agree. That being said, she is so sweet and loving that you really do not mind giving her that extra attention. She seems to be more distant than other dogs that I've had (like she will sometimes sit in another room away from us); however, anyone can approach her at anytime, and she is ready to be picked up, petted, play, whatever you want. She is consistently waiting for us at the door and wagging her tail when we get home. The only sadness that I have had with regard to her - and it is more about compassion toward her - is that she must have had a very bad grooming experience because whenever I bathe her, she fights me concerning the necessary cleaning and maintenance of eyes, face, and nails. I used to fight with her pretty hard in an effort to make her look nice; however, at some point, it just broke my heart when I realized that she didn't understand what was going on and probably wondered why I am being so mean to her. She was terrified and fighting me while I was being rough with her, and yet, while she could have used her teeth on me, she never did. It just never occurred to this sweet, loving, and loyal dog to hurt me even when she thought I was hurting her. This just broke my heart, and so I have just lightened up concerning her grooming and keep her hair short and clean. That is the only goal now.

She is aging now, and she can only see some light or shadows from time to time, but she is pretty much blind. However, she is still the happy-go-lucky loving dog that she always was. We are mindful of this and do not rearrange furniture or leave things around that could hinder her. I dread the day when her health fails, or she becomes completely withdrawn and is no longer happy because this little dog has become a BIG part of our family, and there will be a big hole in our lives where Little Dog once was.

I am a "big dog person", but I will forever remember Little Dog with the Big Heart.

This forum post brought tears to my eyes the day that I wrote it, whenever I read it back to myself, and does definitely bring tears to my eyes today.

Miss you, Little Dog. I have no idea how we are going to do it without you.

June 7, 2008 - All Dogs Go To Heaven

Where are you, Little Dog? We miss you so much. Most certainly, Little, you have earned a special place in Heaven.



I have not seen this movie, and I would imagine that not now nor anytime soon would be a good time to see it. It is difficult to imagine that Little Dog won't soon return to our home. What a huge hole such a "little dog" has left in our lives.

We love and miss you, Little.