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The Bridge
Just this side of Heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the 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 and water and sunshine, and our little friends are warm and comfortable.
All of the animals who have 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 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 from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together……
Author Unknown
Arberdale's Golly Miss Molly
"Molly"
March 23, 1999 - July 3, 2007
9/9/08
I couldn't leave Molly at home without her 'pouting'. At home she had to have me in her sight at all times. If I left the room, she followed. She squeezed herself into our chair with me the moment I sat down. If another dog was already there, she would stare them down until they left. If they refused to move eventually she would pile in on top! One day we were out walking around the yard. I guess she thought the water in the pond was solid. In she stepped. What a surprise for her!! She loved rolling in mud but hated water! Who would guess? Heck, she wouldn't even go out to pee in a light sprinkle! Bath time, well we won't even go there. Ok, so I learned to have something to put her front feet on that was at least 2 feet tall!
Around the show ring she laid flat out and would go to sleep. People had to step over her or walk around. By contrast, she hated being in the ring. She did garner a reserve at the age of 6 months and 2 days old. At 13 months old she was spayed because of pyometra.
Molly was an omega. All of the other dogs took advantage of her good nature. She was gentle and loving. She loved everyone, especially me... And oh, I loved her so dearly. She knew it too... She had me wrapped around her little toe!
It is now more than a year since we had to put our sweet Molly to sleep. Even with 5 other boxers in the house, she is dearly missed. I couldn't bring myself to write about her in all this time.
The horrible disease, Degenerative Myelopathy, that ravaged her body will hopefully one day be a disease that we conquered and rid in our breeding programs. In the past year the genes linked to DM were found and a test developed to determine clear, carrier or affected.
Heidi Ho
2/19/94 - 5/5/06
The Broken Chain
We little knew that day, God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide. And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
A message to our missing link.Wait for us at that rainbow bridge. Your mom and dad will be home soon!
Rags 8/87 - 8/03
What do you say about living 16 years with a very special 6 pound kitty? Rags, thusly named because of the hair sticking out of her toes the day we bought her from a pet shop. Little did we know she would grow the most beautiful coat of long fur on her tiny little body.
In her younger days she would actually jump into the bathtub with the kids! But as she matured she realized that cats do not like water!
But not being the typical kitty she became the neighborhood "attack cat." Well meaning dogs would wander into our front yard thinking "Oh boy, a cat to chase!" Only they didn't realize that Rags held no fear. SHE would chase them! Neighbor's dogs soon learned to cross to the other side of the street in front of our house! Only Honey wasn't so lucky.......
One day Rob's sister came over with her Honey, a gorgeous and sweet retriever. As she let Honey out of the car...here came Rags, all 6 pounds of her, jumping on top of the head of the now totally confused Honey, she began to scream and slash at her perceived intruder. While screaming in the way that cats do, Tinkies, our old Tom, heard and came running from behind the house and after hurriedly surveying the scene, promptly jumps up on the now utterly confused Honey and begins his reign of terror, slashing at Honey's rear quarters. Poor Honey!! With a cat attacking her at both ends of her body, what could she possibly do?? Up thru an open window of the car she jumped, knocking both of her attackers off! No one could convince her to come back out and Honey never came to visit again.
Rags was several months old when we brought Bosco home. They became fast friends, as did all the boxer dogs that followed. One thing though...she always let them know not to mess with her. She established the pecking order with each new boxer that came to live in her kingdom or should I say queendom?.
And now so many years later......
We miss you sweet Rags.
Chance
7/95 - 4/97
Patches
2/96 - 4/97
Chance and Patches were killed by a wild cat in April of 1997
Bosco
6/88 - 6/97
Bosco came into our lives on a beautiful sunny day in September of 1988. I remember when we arrived at his owner's home and seeing him come down the steps to meet us. He was so tiny! He was the runt and the last of the litter to be placed. Rob and I fell for this little guy instantly. We took him home. This "little boy in the brown dog suit" became the light of our lives. He was such a gentleman, very intelligent, always loving and extremely loyal. Who could help but love him?
Everyone who knew him, thought he was special. Those that didn't know him respected his boundaries. When I would leave the house, I would say to him "Bosco, watch the house." He took this job very seriously because people would tell me later that Bosco wouldn't let them into the yard!
As Bosco grew older, we noticed that he seemed to be having trouble getting up and down. The vet took pictures and diagnosed him with spondylosis and an enlarged heart. We were told at that time not to expect him to live out the average Boxer lifespan. He was about 7 years old at that time and he was starting to gray. We restricted his exercise and kept him as comfortable as possible with medication and lots of love.
Bosco lived another 2 years. He passed away in June of 1997 just before his 9th birthday., and just 6 weeks after our 2 youngest Boxers, Patches and Chance, were killed by a wild cat. Our hearts were broken, then shattered.
Goodbye our dear best friends.
Until we meet again.....
