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The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.
When a hound dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that dog goes to the Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they run and play together.
There is plenty of food and water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the hounds that are old or ill 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 hounds are happy and content, except for one small thing -
they each miss someone 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.
The bright eyes are intent, the eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass,
his legs carrying him faster and faster.

Magical Journey

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 hound,
so long gone from your life,
but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together ....

Author unknown

Courtesy of RainbowsBridge.com

Background image on this page is courtesy of RainbowsBridge.com and is the property of RainbowsBridge.com.
All Rights Reserved 1997 RainbowsBridge.com

Some pets come into our lives and quietly go......

others leave paw prints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same

In loving memory of a dear, sweet friend - "Sophie"

"Sophie sweetheart, we miss you and will never forget the wonderful times we spent together"

Until we meet again, we send you all our love Helen, Jon, Balin and Kili

Dearest Sophie

The time has come to say goodbye,

I look once more in those brown eyes,

I know you just don�t want to leave,

There�s so much more for you to see.

Although I haven�t known you long,

I�ve seen that you are kind and strong,

With your gentle love and your big heart,

I�ll miss you dear in many ways.

Of course you�re mom will miss you most,

She loves you so, but that you know,

You�ll stay nearby, I know for sure,

You�re hearts are one forever more.

And when you reach the Rainbow Bridge,

You�ll be renewed and youthful too,

Running through meadows, chasing deer,

To pass the time in wait for mom.

The time will pass so quickly there,

You�ll see it will, so don�t despair,

You have new friends to get to know,

And family from long ago.

One day you�ll look towards the Bridge,

You�ll feel the force of one you miss,

As she gets close, you�ll run to greet,

With tears of joy, you�re both complete.

The two of you will cross the bridge,

Your spirits join no more to part,

And although that seems so far away,

It will happen as I say.

Suanne and her beloved Sophie

In loving memory of Gimli (a very special cat)

My darling sweet Gimli

I still miss you so

You were the James Dean of cats

But of that we all know

I miss your funny face

That ear where half was missing

Remember when you caught that mouse

And up my trouser leg did visit

I miss you asking for your treats

You crying to go out

The dogs and Dad all miss you too

You were their friend, their cherished pal

I didn�t get a chance to say goodbye to you that night

You were on you�re treasured hunt of some unsuspecting mouse

If only you had not escaped that wet and fateful night

I might still have you now my love, sitting here with me

I called, and called but still no sign I loathed to end my search

If only I had carried on and our two paths had crossed

And when the sun had risen and still no sign of you

You called, and called and lead me to your final earthly space

I know we�ll meet again someday

Of that I have no doubt

You�re never absent from my thoughts

You're in my heart, and there you'll stay.

Gimli - before he lost half his right ear to frost-bite, tragically he did not live to celebrate his second birthday.

Written by Helen Cullum

This poem was written by Frances Smith-King

in loving memory of her dear friend and loyal companion Paddy

Fran with Paddy at Rainbow Bridge

Our local vet is in the house but you don't wag your tail

Your breathing's very shallow and you look so frail

There's nothing we can do for you except to help you go

This is the final kindness I can do for you I know

You were always by my side you made me feel so proud

You were so majestic you stood out in a crowd

But now your eyesight's fading your days of fun are gone

When I take you out the house you lay down on the lawn

As I look into your eyes I see the pain within

I lean to you and kiss your nose you lick me on the chin

You know how much I love you I whisper in your ears

My heart feels like it's breaking I cannot stop my tears

If you could only understand the things I have to say

But now it's time to say goodbye we'll meet again someday

I know this is the last time we'll ever have to part

My darling Irish Wolfhound your paw prints on my heart

~ "Our thanks" to Fran for letting us share her beautiful poem in memory of such a special friend ~

A Dog's Prayer

by Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more

grateful for kindness than the loving heart of mine.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows,

your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce

wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements.

And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Though you had no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest

pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready,

willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you.

Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful blessing of eternal rest -- and

I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

Rohan Irish Wolfhounds would like to dedicate the following poem in memory of

Kala who passed away early 2003 at the age of 10� years.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me And I'm not there to see

The sun will rise and find your eyes, All filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry The way you did today

Remembering how I'd lay my head In your lap that special way.

I know how much you love me, As much as I love you,

And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand,

That an Angel came and called my name, And petted me with her hand.

She said my place was ready, In Heaven far above.

And that I'd have to leave behind, All those I dearly love.

But, as I turned to heel away, A tear fell from my eye.

For all my life I never thought, That I would have to die.

I had so much to live for, So many sits and downs to do,

That it seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you.

I thought about our lives together, I know you must be sad.

I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had.

Remember how I'd nudge your hand, And poke you with my nose.

The squirrel I would gladly chase, The bad guy "I'd bark and hold".

If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a little while,

I'd wag my tail and kiss you, Just so I could see you smile.

But, then I fully realized, That this could never be;

For emptiness and memories, Will take the place of me.

And when I thought of treats and toys I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you and when I did My dog-heart filled with sorrow.

But then I walked through Heaven's Gate And felt so much at home;

As God looked down and smiled at me From His heavenly throne.

He said, This is eternity, And now we welcome you.

Today your life on earth is past, But here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow But today will always last;

For you see, each day's the same day There's no longing for the past.

Now you have been so faithful, So trusting, loyal and true.

Though there were times you did things, You knew you shouldn't do.

But good dogs are forgiven, And now at last you're free.

So won't you sit here by my side, And wait right here with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart.

For every time you think of me, I'm right there, in your heart.

~ Author Unknown ~

A Faithful Dog

A faithful dog will play with you
And laugh with you or cry.
He'll gladly starve to stay with you
Nor ever reason why.

And when you're feeling out of sorts,
Somehow he'll understand.
He'll watch you with his shining eyes
And try to lick your hand.

His blind, implicit faith in you
Is matched by his great love.
The kind that all of us should have
In the Master, up above.

When everything is said and done
I guess this isn't odd
For when you spell "dog" backwards
You get the name of God.

~ Author Unknown ~

I ONLY WANTED YOU

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

~ Author Unknown ~

Rohan Irish Wolfhounds supports our human and canine heroes who so willingly place

themselves in harms way for the freedom of so many all across the world.

America's Forgotten Heroes

Canine Heroes Not to be Forgotten!

author unknown

Dedicated to the memory of all those who served . . . Italy, France, Russia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Great Britain all have formal monuments and decorations dedicated to war dogs by the military organizations under which they served. War dogs in other countries have also been awarded medals and other forms of official recognition for serving their countries. Of all of the countries to employ the use and help of dogs during times of war, the United States military stands alone as the only world military to not formally acknowledge the contributions made by its canine soldiers. Due to a policy that has existed since World War II, and despite the protests of armed forces personnel, the United States military refuses to formally recognize the accomplishments of its canine soldiers, stating that such recognition is "demeaning to servicemen."

Nearly four thousand dogs served in Vietnam and saved up to 10,000 American servicemen through their scouting and sentry duties. When withdrawing from Vietnam in 1973, the military classified the dogs as surplus equipment to be left behind during evacuation. Many dogs were left with South Vietnamese allies who were afraid of the dogs and didn't know how to handle them. Many of the dogs were euthanized, and many more perished at the hands of their inexperienced South Vietnamese handlers. Only a handful of Vietnam war dogs made it back to the United States. Many handlers and trainers who worked with these dogs were traumatized by having to leave their faithful companions behind, stating that the dogs saved their lives and often did more work than they did.

Relegated to the status of military equipment rather than personnel, dogs in the U.S. military are drafted for life and are euthanized once they are deemed infirm and incapable of continuing their jobs. The military claims that these dogs are incapable of being retired to civilian life, despite the fact that police dogs, which receive identical training, are successfully and peacefully retired to loving homes and families upon retirement. As a result of the indifference shown toward war dogs, many of their accomplishments have been unjustly forgotten, or at best, relegated to the status of "trivia" by war buffs. Many of the records of war dogs and their handlers have been lost or destroyed, and the public remains largely unaware of the contributions by dogs in the armed forces.

Not Forgotten are . .

SARGE 1A43, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

PRINCE 55-M-9, German Shepherd mix, Vietnam.

LUKE, black Labrador Retriever, Vietnam

PATCHES, Vietnam, one of the few war dogs given passage back home to the United States.

NEMO, German Shepherd, wounded in Vietnam, one of the few war dogs given passage back home to the United States.

LISLE, German Shepherd-Collie mix, served the U.S. Army in the early 1980's.

THOR, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.

BUNS, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.

SMOKEY, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.

BANDIT, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.

ASTOR, German Shepherd, Desert Storm.

PENNY, Beagle, Desert Storm.

TOSCA, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm.

NERO 304J, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm.

CARLO, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm.

During a ceremony in which Carlo's handler received the Bronze Star for his service in Kuwait, his handler removed the medal from his own uniform and pinned it to Carlo's collar, saying, "Carlo worked harder than me. He was always in front of me."

PASJA, Belgian Malinois, euthanized for being too old to continue serving.

JACK, Bull Terrier mix, Union army, U.S. Civil War.

GENERAL, Saint Bernard, 14th North Carolina Infantry, Confederate Army, U.S. Civil War.

ROBERT LEE, Troupe Artillery, Confederate Army, U.S. Civil War.

STUBBY, Bull Terrier mix, WWI. The most decorated war dog in U.S. history. His stuffed remains, ashes, and medals are currently stored in a packing crate in a storage room of the National Museum of American History, which considers the dog an "oddity with little educational merit."

NORMAN SADLER, Fox Terrier, fundraiser during WWII.

BOOTS, trick dog, fundraiser during WWII.

RONNIE, German Shepherd, WWII, U.S. Coast Guard Dog Patrol.

BOB, Collie mix, WWII, led more forays into German territory than any other U.S. soldier in WWII, human or canine.

BUSTER, WWII, killed in action.

RICKY, Welsh Shepherd, parachuting scout dog, WWII.

DUKE, Doberman Pinscher, served in the Pacific during WWII.

CHIPS, German Shepherd-Collie-Husky mix, WWII, tank guard dog and the most decorated dog in WWII. Personally thanked for his services by General Eisenhower. Chips' military honors were removed once the military determined that decorating a dog was "demeaning to servicemen."

DUG, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.

BRUTE, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.

ROY, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.

SHERI, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War.

MAC, first canine casualty in Vietnam.

PAL, scout dog, Vietnam.

TROUBLES, scout dog, Vietnam.

VALENTINE 3F38, German Shepherd, died in Vietnam.

BUCK, German Shepherd mix, Vietnam, killed in action.

ROYAL 19X8, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.

DUKE 383M, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.

CLACKER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.

KREIGER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.

PONCHO, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action.

DUKE 645f, German Shepherd, Vietnam, missing in action.

EBONY, German Shepherd, Vietnam, 47th Scout Dog Platoon.

DUFFER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, 212th Sentry Dog Co.

SUZIE, German Shepherd, Vietnam. Her handler gave her his Bronze Star.

BLACKIE 129X, left behind in Vietnam.

HEIDI, scout dog, left behind in Vietnam.

KRISTIANNA, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.

WARRIOR, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.

COMMANDER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.

WINSTON, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.

TIMBER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.

CLIPPER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.

ORION, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam.

SMOKEY, German Shepherd, nicknamed "Flop," left behind in Vietnam.

WOLF, Vietnam.

REX, German Shepherd, nicknamed "Punky," Vietnam.

YORK, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

DUKE, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

BOY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

NASTY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

ZORRO, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

MAX, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

KOENIG, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

BRIAN-4M4, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

KING, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

KIESER, German Shepherd, Vietnam

HUDSONS KING, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

RUSTY 775E, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

IRKO, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

TIGER, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

INK, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

REBEL, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

CHIEF, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

SMOKIE 6X65, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

SLIM SN# 84M6, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

PUDDLES 807M, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

BRUISER, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

ROGER 3M84, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

DUKE 847A, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

BUDDY A601, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

BIG BOY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

TARZAN W195, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

BLITZ, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

GARDO 86XO, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

MACK, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

ERIC, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

FRITZ 584F, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

GEISHA A871, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

DOBE 7X49, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

REX 75M3, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

SHEPPY, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

CLYDE, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

CHEROKEE, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

SPOOK 235X, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

BUFFY 87M3, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

KNIGHT, German Shepherd, Vietnam.

And the countless thousands of other canine heroes, known and unknown, that served their country. If only the leaders of this nation could serve us so well and so honestly. Maybe this world would be a better place.

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