return to top

Golden oldies memoirs

Watching over my family

Awhile back mom found a dog shaped rock in the park. It really looks like a dogs head with a hole for the eye and a little flap for an ear.
Mom and dad put Sushi and Maggie together in the wildflower garden and this rock marks the spot. At some point she will paint their names on the rock.

I am right next to them with a pretty large smooth river rock marking my spot. At another spot, Theo and Mali, cats that were totally devoted to each other and died at young ages within a year apart, were put together. Both had heart problems and were 8 and 9.
Lots of flower seeds were placed in the garden and mom is going to go buy some verbena to put in there.
Dad said a few words and they had to have a box of kleenix out there.

What started out as kind of leftover wild garden is now a beautiful place for us to forever watch over our family.

Holly has gone ahead.

Mom does believe in heaven and believes dogs go there. Yesterday at 4:25 I went to heaven. I was tired and in pain....it was time.

They don't know how I spent the first part of my life....I was a throw away dog....my owners moved out and left me in the yard to live on my own. Mom doesn't think anyone who could do that could have been a good owner or provide a good life for me......so she tried to give me ALL THE BEST in my remaining years. I returned the favor and gave all the love I could give. It was good to be loved at last.

So I have not just gone, but gone ahead.

Til we meet again
Love,
Holly

For our friend Marley

From a Grateful Dog
author unknown


You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished hours,
Your courage makes me proud.
But the sweetest kindness is knowing
When your friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.
So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic that will
Once more make me whole.
The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.
That strength is why I found you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these days...
My guardian till the end.
Please, understand just what this gift
You're giving, means to me,
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.
You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it, too.
So one last time, I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To grant me this appeal.
Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.
And don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And in memory I'll stay.
I'll be there watching over you,
with all the others I now join
And in your dreams we'll run,
... as young dogs once again.

Our friend Marley is going to the bridge today. We are so sad and we know her family is even sadder.