The View from the Rainbow Bridge

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. We celebrated it in style at the Bridge. We had an all day party with games, squirrels to chase and all the yummy food a pup could want. What a blast we had! Angel Jennifer was there as well as all the other Dogster Angel pups.

I was born on April 16, 1986 so if I was still on earth that would have made me 23 years old. I sure don't feel like I am 23 years old because I am feeling great and running and playing like a pup. That is what happens when you go to the Bridge. I want to thank all pups for their well wishes and the presents on my page to celebrate my birthday. Thanks pups!

Murphy Arrived Today

My friend Murphy joined me at the Rainbow Bridge today. He was a 14 year old black Miniature Schnauzer from Brampton, Ontario. Murphy is now free of pain and playing like a puppy here in the clouds. I was there along with other Miniature Schnauzers to greet Murphy upon his arrival. I know this is a very difficult time for his family and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Hopefully they can take comfort in knowing that he is doing fine and is with his pals while he waits to be reunited with his loved ones.

Rescued Dog Christmas Poem

Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
Every shelter is full - we are lost but not found,
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
We hope every minute that someone will care,
They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here and think of the days..
We were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways,
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew -
Now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
They reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?
We "jump on the children:, "don't come when they call",
We "bark when they leave us", climb over the wall.

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
Now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.
If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
We'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.
We were left in the backyard, or worse -let to roam-
Now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye...

"Maybe someone else will give you a try."
So now here we are, all confused and alone...
In a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer...

We know that they wonder how long we'll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads..
Of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears --
Our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn --
Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year --
Can you give more than hope to everyone here?
Please make a donation to pay for the heat...
And help get us something special to eat.
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
And more of us will, if more people will give.

Christmas Poem

This is a very informative Christmas Poem. Share it with everyone you know. It is a funny way to express the sad truth about Puppy mills and Pet Shops Post it far and wide, who knows it might stop even one person from running to buy a Christmas pup in a Pet Store.


Merry Christmas: From Ye Olde Puppy Shoppe !!!

We love our puppy customers -
They're our #1 bread and butter,
Especially right now at Christmas time
With their MasterCards all a-flutter.

Oh sure, they've heard about puppymills -
They don't live in a cave.
The tree-huggers dreamed THAT whole thing up.
They're really quite depraved!

All OUR pups came from "Local Breeders".
These signs around TELL you so;
We paint 'em up and hang 'em high
'Cause we want you to know!

"We don't put a price on honesty but
That pup will cost eight hundred dollars.
You don't think that we make the big bucks
Selling fish food and martingale collars!"

But back to our Christmas Greeting
And why we wish you all Good Cheer;
You see, you are $pecial folks to us
At this festive time of year.

We love you because you're lazy,
Though very well-connected.
You just won't take the time to find
A breeder who's respected.

You so rarely do your homework.
(Santa, send us MORE trusting fellas
With no time to learn about Legg Perthes
or Luxating Patellas!)

Zoonotic's not a word you learned
Playing Scrabble or at school?
Color Mutant Alopecia ? Duh!
We LOVE it, man, you're COOL!!!

Cryptorchids must be flowers from Hawaii you say?
We will sure not tell you better.
And you don't need to know Brucellosis, my friend,
Unless, of course, you get 'er!!!

You think that CERF-ing's what cool dudes do
Somewhere out in California?
And OFA's just another old workplace law?
We're sure not going to warn you!

But should we stumble upon someone
Who IS savvy in any way,
We'll just start extolling the wonderful work
Of the grand ole USDA !!!

We love you 'cause you just don't care -
You buy it because you want it.
You can lay your cash on OUR counter, ma'am,
If you've got it, you OUGHT to flaunt it!!!

We love the things you DON'T ask!!!
It makes our job so easy.
If you saw the sights behind the scene
You'd get quite queasy.

You'll never see the breeding dogs
Who suffer on the wire,
Or pups die of hyper-thermia
When their truck gets a flat tire.

We'll keep you from our back room, too,
And put a padlock on the freezer.
Those tiny puppies stiff and cold
Would not be a crowd pleaser.

We hope you have a vet you like -
That pup's probably gonna need him.
Ivomec wears off in thirty days -
That's how long we've guaranteed him!!!

Who cares when you get that blue slip home
And find out that it wasn't true.
Your Local Breeder's way out in Kansas?
HO! HO! HO! That joke's on you!!!

So come and see us,one and all -
Join in our Christmas Cheer!
We've strung the tinsel all around.
If we could, we'd serve you beer!

We've got the carols playing
And a Santa, for good reason;
We're all scrubbed up and lookin' good
So you'll make our Christmas season.

As you walk away with your new pup
We'll shed a happy Christmas tear.
Don't change ONE THING about yourself-
Just DO come back next year!!!
(ka- ching !!!)

Today is my Birthday!

Today is my Birthday and Jennifer and I have been partying all day at the Bridge. I was born on April 16, 1986. I was born in our rec room in the basement and I come from a litter of four. My Mommy is a champion black Miniature Schnauzer and my Daddy is a very well known champion salt and peper Miniature Schnauzer. I was the only girl in my litter so I had to learn to stand up to those bad brothers of mine. I am salt and pepper, I had two salt and pepper brothers and one black brother. One of my salt and pepper brothers became a champion and the other one was a cherished family pet. My black brother was named Bullseye and he stayed with me at Mommy's. At six months of age we went to a sanction match dog show and Bullseye won best in match! I was so excited for him. After that tragedy struck and Bullseye got parvo at 7 months of age in spite of having his shots. He made it through the parvo but died when a blood clot broke loose and caused him to have a heart attack. We were all so sad about that. I then knew I had to carry on the flame for the both of us so I did! I became an American and a Canadian champion! Mommy was so proud of me!

I know Mommy has been thinking lots about me today. If I was still alive I would be 22 years old which is almost impossible. I had a great life on earth and I really loved my Mommy and I know she loves me.

Party Time

Today we are having a party at the Bridge to celebrate Jennifer's 1 year annifursary at the Bridge. Yes, it is sad that Jennifer had to leave Mommy and Jelly but Jennifer is much happier at the Bridge free of pain. She still watches over Mommy like I do. I have been at the Bridge for 8 years and I remember when Jennifer arrived last year. I was just so excited to see her because I hadn't seen her for 7 full years. My tail was just wagging and I was doing my little squeaking noise just like I always did when I was real excited. Jennifer and I are together all the time and we are enjoying our time here. We invited all the Dogster angels to come and join our party.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I want to wish every pup and every angel pup a Happy St. Patrick's Day. I have been busy celebrating St. Patty's Day here at the Bridge. Jennifer and I have enjoyed a great day of running among the clouds. Here is a beautiful Irish poem that I would like to share:

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there... I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow...
I am the diamond glints on snow...
I am the sunlight on ripened grain...
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you waken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of gentle birds in circling flight...
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry—
I am not there... I did not die...

What an Honour!

I just can't believe it! I am one of the diary picks on Dogster today. This is just so exciting! I haven't been on Dogster as long as Jelly and Jennifer have been and this is the first time I have had the spot light on me. It is just such an honour to think that my diary is one of the picks for today. Thank-you Dogster! Special thanks to all the pups for their sweet congratulations. I will always remember this special day. I have been cloud hopping at the Bridge all day because I am so excited! Thanks everypup!

Beautiful Poem 2

I thought this was a beautiful poem so I wanted to put it in my diary:

With Angels They Play

They haven't really been taken away.
They have only gone with the Angels to play
They have been given wings with which to fly.
All their troubles have passed them by.

Their life in heaven now must start.
But we'll hold their memory in our hearts.
Nothing about them will be forgotten.
But now they sleep on billowy clouds of cotton.
Author Unknown

Beautiful Poem

Jennifer has such a beautiful poem that she got from our cousin Shiyan that I wanted to have it in my diary too.

Do Not Grieve for Me

Do not grieve for me, my friend, as I am with my kind....

My collar is a rainbow's hue, my leash a shooting star.
My boundaries are the Milky Way, where I sparkle from afar...
There are no pens or kennels here, for I am not confined-
But free to roam God's Heavens among my special kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud with gentle breezes rocking me.
I dream the dreams of earthlings, and how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats, and tennis balls abound.
Milk bones line the walking ways just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up, the grass all lush and green-
and everyone who gaits around becomes the Best of Breed.
For we're all winners in this place, we have no faults you see.
God passes out the ribbons, to each one- even me!

At night I sleep in Angel's arms, their wings protecting me,
and moonbeams dance about us, as stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent and you reach Heaven's Gate,
have no fear of loneliness- for here you know I wait.

~Author unknown

Things sure have changed!

When I look at all the neat toys that Jelly has I sometimes get jealous. I was born over 20 years ago and they didn't have all those fancy toys that Jelly has back then. The only type of toys that I had were plastic squeakies, balls, bones and home made toys that Grandma made me. Now Jelly has toys that make all kinds of noise. She has a couple of monkeys that scream, a frog that croaks, a goose that honks, toys that sing and of course that babble ball that makes all kinds of noise. She has that real cool bird house that has three little soft birdies that go inside. I think I would have really liked that toy. I also think I would like some of the accessories that she has. I just love the look of that little tent that she has and I would love to curl up in there. As much as Jelly complains about the dremel I think it is so much better then getting nails cut.

Mommy also has lots of different things then when I was around. We didn't have a computer and there was no thing like internet. Can you just imagine no Dogster??? She has a little phone that she can carry in her purse and another cordless phone that she can carry around the house. There is also something called CD's that play music and DVD's that play movies.

Things sure have changed since I was a pup!

Watching Mommy

I spent this weekend watching my Mommy. She has a new pup called Jelly that I never met. Jennifer does tell me that Jelly is a good pup although she can exaggerate things sometimes. She loves Mommy and tries to look after her. Right now Mommy and Jelly have a house guest who is Jelly's half sister. I think it is good for Mommy and Jelly to have another pup. Maybe after the experience of having a second pup in the house they may decide to add to their family. Be sure to read Jelly's diary and watch her videos for the latest updates. Jennifer and I will try to comment from the Bridge.

I Loved Summer

I always really loved summer, it was my favourite time of the year. Mommy always used to plant pretty flowers in our backyard. I just loved those flowers. I would sniff them and then just stand back and admire how beautiful they were. I also loved butterflies. I would bat at them very gently with my paw but I would never hurt one. That little Jelly is just starting to figure out tomatoes. Tomatoes were always my favourite and I was so good that I even helped myself and picked them off the vine. Mommy was never too impressed with this but I couldn't help it because they were so yummy. Mommy also always had carrots in our little garden and I just loved carrots. I would sit by the garden and cry when I wanted Mommy to pull me out a carrot. I was a good pup and I wouldn't dig up the garden. I would give Mommy those big sad eyes of mine and she would always break down and give me a carrot. I just have so many happy memories of summer with my Mommy.

Who is Pooping in the Dining Room????

Mommy says that this is another funny memory that she would like me to share. Some pup had decided that the perfect place to poop was in the far corner of our dining room. Mommy was getting very frustrated because it was a real sneaky pup and she was never able to catch him/her. We all said it was "Notme" that did this terrible act! "Notme" must be a very old pup because this happened around 1987 and my pal Zoe and my sister Jelly are still reporting acts done by "Notme". Mommy tried and tried to figure out who the pup was that was doing this. You have to remember that this was before the day of camcorders so filming the culprit wasn't a solution at that time. Mommy then got a brain wave of what to do. She remembered feeding a certain type of coloured doggy cookie that would turn the poop the colour of the biscuit. She then fed each pup a different colour of biscuit. I think my colour was green. Guess what happened next????? The poop in the dining room was red!!!!!! See, it was "Notme" that was responsible for that terrible act. It turned out to be a pup called Baron. He was a Mini Schnauzer too but not related to me. Mommy then watched him real close and caught him in the act. He got told he was a bad pup and after being caught he never did that again. I don't think Baron would say this is a funny story but I sure think it is!!

I was a Cookie Monster!

Mommy has been thinking back on all the memories that we have together and thought I should share one of my stories. I was just a young adult at the time, around three years old. It was summer and she put me outside with my fur Mommy "Abigail" and my half sister "Shooter". She thought we would like a treat so she took a couple of big handfuls of small doggy cookies and spread them out on the patio. I was always the real super chow hound of the group and I decided I wanted to get lots of those cookies. Abigail and Shooter started to eat cookies - one at a time. I decided to be smart and I ran around and stuffed my face full of cookies. Mommy was laughing and said I looked like a chipmunk. I had more then my share of cookies all stuffed into my mouth. I forgot about one thing, how could I eat them when my mouth was so full? All the cookies were gone and Abigail and Shooter were sniffing at my mouth wanting my cookies. I ran around and cried with my mouth full of cookies and Abigail and Shooter following me. What could I do??? At this point Mommy was really laughing! Really Mommy, this is not funny!! Finally Mommy came to my rescue. She took the cookies out of my mouth and made sure I got to eat my one third of the cookies. She said that she hoped I learned a lesson about being greedy with that experience. I must have because I never did that again!

Thanks Every Pup!

I would like to thank the anonymous pup that gave me my beautiful star, all the pups for the pup pal requests and also the pups who gave me all my bones. Wow, I can't believe this!! I have only been on Dogster for 24 hours and already I have made so many friends. Now I understand what Jennifer has been barking about. I think I am going to really like it here on Dogster!

Hi Every Pup!

This is my first diary entry and it is because this is my first day on Dogster! Heee- heee! My Mommy decided today that it was time to start scanning all the old dog show pictures that she has so they won't get all faded and then she wouldn't have any pictures. After putting lots of work into scanning all my pictures she decided that she should add me to Dogster.

I was born in my Mommy's kitchen on April 16, 1986. My fur Mommy was a black Miniature Schnauzer called Abigail who my human Mommy bought from a breeder in Chicago. Abigail had her Canadian championship and I was her second and last litter. My fur Daddy was an American and Canadian champion who lived in California.

In my litter there were four of us - 3 boys and me. I learned quickly how to keep up with the boys with no problems. I had two salt and pepper brothers and one black brother. One of my salt and pepper brothers was adopted by a family who helped him to get his Canadian championship and the other was a companion dog. Mommy kept me and my black brother Bullseye. I must tell you that Bullseye was sure handsome. We were both entered in a sanction match together and he won Best in Match. Everyone was saying that he had a great show career ahead of him. After that tragedy struck when he was 7 months old and he got parvo. We can't explain it because he had all his shots. He made it through the parvo and the vet said she thought he would be fine. A few hours later the vet phoned us back and said that Bullseye had died suddenly. They did something called an autopsy and they found that a blood clod had broke away and it went to his heart and he had a heart attack. The blood clod was caused by the parvo. We were all so sad. I then went and showed my little self at all the doggy shows in memory of Bullseye and I became an American and a Canadian champion. I had a great life living with my Mommy. At the age of 14 years I got very sick and we found I had kidney failure. Shortly after that I went to the Rainbow Bridge.

I am enjoying the Bridge and recently I was joined by my niece Jennifer. A number of you Dogster know Jennifer since she has had a page here. We are all together at the Bridge with our whole schnauzer family.

I am happy to see that Mommy has little Jelly. She isn't a Schnauzer but we love her anyways and think she is doing a great job keeping Mommy company.