At the beginning of the day you

never know what you will gain or lose. We had to have my beautiful Dalmation Pongo PTS yesterday. He was one of the sweetest dogs Walt and I have had over the years. It's like a piece of my heart was cut out. The house is so quiet without him. I miss him so very much.




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....

another poem

I have traveled far; to reach this Pearly Gate
But I do not want to wander; beyond this place
I just need to rest awhile; for my friend I wait

Please let them know; I love them still
Let them know that I understand
what they did; they did with love

With my body now gone
my spirit flew home; on the wings of a dove
To my Creators arms; in Heaven above

Now all I ask; is that I may wait
I for will lay quietly; here by the gate
For if I entered now; without my friend
it wouldn't be Heaven at all

John Quealy

and another

I explained to St. Peter,
I'd rather stay here,
Outside the pearly gate.

I won't be a nuisance,
I won't even bark,
I'll be very patient and wait,
I'll be here chewing on a celestial bone.

No matter how long you may be.
I'd miss you so much, if I went in alone,
It wouldn't be Heaven for me.

Anonymous

Pongo

Pongo, my sweet 12 year old Dalmation was having a difficult time walking and fell a couple of times last night. Walt took him to the vet's today. She couldn't find anything wrong just "eyeballing" him. She poked and prodded a bit and said he has some neurological damage to his hind legs and he probably has arthritis. She gave him some glucosamine and something for pain. This evening he is walking a lot better and doesn't seem to be having any discomfort. It's hard to believe it's been over 11 years since Walt found him while delivering mail. He was tied to a shed behind his owner's house. He finally saw someone giving him some water and the lady told him the owner's were getting divorced and couldn't take him to either of their new homes. Walt brought him home that day (after getting the okay from the man that owned him then). He was just a little "poopy dog" and I fell in love with him at first sight!