All Dogs Go To Heaven

[ken mcclure]

After 12 years of unconditional love and companionship, we said goodbye to Cleo (Cleopatra, Queen of the Big Bed) last night. An inoperable tumor in her abdomen finally incapacitated her and it was time.

She chewed everything in the old house, including some of the woodwork and furniture;

She was afraid of water but loved laying around nearby when I worked on the boat;

She once chased a truck and caught it;

She once stopped a break-in by a young criminal who was fleeing from the police;

She made it a point to make a friend out of every mail delivery person we ever had;

She never, ever failed to greet me at the door with a smile and a wagging tail.

Shane will appreciate this - her nickname was "Dingo Dog" because she looked for all the world like a dingo.

I can't tell you how sad I am to have her gone. Just as I can't adequately express how grateful I am to have had her here.

[Rich VanValkenburg]

I've been there, too, Ken. I hope you find some peace in the memories.

Rich

[Kermit]

It's hard. I'm thinking of the dogs I've had and lost. What's the saying--God help me to be the person my dog thinks I am? What a world we'd have if we all aspired to that level.

Sorry, friend. Peace.

[Hugh Paterson]

Happiness is a mutt that curls up beside you and gives unconditional love, do what I did when I lost my last two, went straight out and got another. :D Shes lying at my feet just now, goes to work with me and loves boats as well, a real Seadog to boot.
Shug.

[Ian McColgin]

In my simple cosmology, not all people go to heaven, but all dogs and cats and horses do.

And all people who have dogs or cats or horses and treat them right will go to heaven also, since the almighty respects the forgiveness offered us by those who've already given unstinting love.

We've faith that Cleo will be there to greet you with wagging tail when you walk through that door.

[ 08-30-2002, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: Ian McColgin ]

[Jamie Hascall]

Eli's long gone but my new lady comes with her Treeing Walker hound Lucy. Having a dog around again is such a joy that it's worth the inevitable sadness when I'll lose her too. I thank the lord for putting those amazing critters on this earth with us. My condolences on her passing.

Jamie

[Donn]

The Rainbow Bridge
Author unknown

"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"

[paladin]

Brandy will greet her at Pete's gate.......

[Matt J.]

Sorry, Ken.
FWIW, that Chocolate lab sittin next to Brandy at the gate with the tennis ball in her mouth - that would be Lady; and the Golden next to her would be Kibbles... they're all so special. As Jamie said, I wouldn't think of giving up Summer and Teddy's love for all the hurt of their loss.

[Bill Dodson]

Ken, you and Cleo are in my prayers.

God bless you both,
Bill

[Ariel]

Dogs don't live long enough--I don't want to think about the time when Scuppers won't be around. Best wishes and sorry for your loss....

[Seth Wood]

"What soared: the fierce rush..."

http://www.birds-of-prey.org/stories/hurthawks.htm

This has helped me in the past, though not at first.

So sorry for your loss. May they wait for us.

[edsr]

Ken Mcclure - It's true all dogs go to heaven.

Did you know their tails are attached directly to their hearts?

"Chance" will be waiting to greet "Cleo" with the full VIP accomodations.

My Best Wishes
edsr

[Concordia..41]

Ken -

There are no words, but we are deeply sorry for the loss and the void you're feeling.

We are all too swiftly approaching the inevitable with our 14-year old Sugar. Frankly, I have no earthly idea how I'm going to be able to continue to draw breath when she lets out that last sigh.

It's so unjust that kind, simple, loving creatures like our pets are given a short ration of years, while stupid, mean and evil people live among us for decades.

With all our thoughts and prayers -

Margo & Dave

[ 08-31-2002, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[Greg H]

Peace Ken.

[LisaS]

Ken -

I'm sorry to hear that your friend crossed the bridge. Unfortunately words can't help at such a sad time, but we send hugs your way to help begin healing.

Lisa

[Roger Stouff]

Yes, they do go to heaven. What else would heaven be for?

Condolences, my friend.

[Ken Hall]

"Behold! For we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory."

Condolences, Ken.

[imported_Dutch]

Ken- Having lost my own best friend of 14 years a bit over a month ago now I know how you are feeling. Bear was the most faithful dog I have ever owned and when his eyes asked me to please end his pain it broke my heart. I know hes waiting for me on the other side with a ball in his mouth and a wagging tail and somehow that makes me less aprehensive about my own eventual death. Best wishes- our hearts go out to you.

[Ed Harrow]

Ken, as I write this Finbar is curled up at my feet, and I try to imagine status checks without him... I picked him up tonight from Linda's Doggie Playland, where he'd spent the last few days raising hell (as I was told), while we dropped of SWMBOjr's stuff at Bates, and got to hear all those recycled speaches by all those who are some how important in her next five years.

Finbar tells me he was much happier at Linda's than I was at Bates (and no, I'll not share the details of his activities as Linda told me ;) ). I'm not really certain he was glad to see me, LOL. He had huge feet to fill, and it took us some time to open ourselves to another, but he's been worth it. Best, Ed

[skuthorp]

Our sympathies to you, it's one of the paymentswe make for unconditional love. I can remember the names of the 10 dogs that Iv'e shared a few years with, right back to when I was 2 an learned to walk beside Peter, the airdale. It's always hard, but part of the responsibility.
Love, Jeff and Anne

[Dave R]

Ken, I add my condolences to the list. I can empathize with you sadness--I'm still sad over the loss of Smitty, our Treeing Walker. Same thing, too--a big tumor in his abdomen.

I didn't cry when my mom died. Nor when my uncle passed on. But I cried like a baby the day Smitty died and I'm getting choked up just thinking of him, now.

[Dave Williams]

Ken,

Very sorry about your loss! I feel your pain. I lost my loyal friend of almost 15 years last winter. Slept together,ate together,worked and played together, almost died together a few times. Was almost never out of sight for that whole time. It's very hard.

I sure love the Rainbow Ridge theory.

My best to you,
Dave

[Ian G Wright]

Rags, Smoke, Tess and Glen. Thanks.

[nedL]

Ken, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. It's amazing how our pets can become so much a part of the family. We've been there & I'm afraid we are going to be there too soon again. :(

[ken mcclure]

Thank you all for your kindness and comfort. I was concerned about how well our daughter would take it, but she seems to be doing ok.

We had Cleo cremated, and will have a little burial ceremony next weekend. Lauren (the baby) picked out a spot in the front yard under a big old oak tree for Cleo to rest.

[Alan D. Hyde]

Good dogs are among nature's noblemen.

Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie,
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me:
'Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.'

(Robert Louis Stevenson)

Alan

[ 09-03-2002, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: Alan D. Hyde ]