Hi All, My Mum has just lost her dog :( his name was jake and he was 18yrs old. He had a good life with my Mum and Dad living in the hills in Cumbria. My Mum is overwhelmed with grief, and so am I if I am truthful :( and I just dont know what to say to her, actually its more that I cant speak for crying, which is not very comforting for her. I was just wondering if any of you had any nice poems that I could send her to in someway console her and give some comfort to us both. I am worried that my Mum is going to make her self quite ill as she seems to have taken this exceptionally badly and I dont know what to do for the best. Do you think that sending her some photos of jake that I have taken over the years will make her worse, as she has been going through her photos and Dad said she had not found many of Jake but quite a few of their other dog, Dad says that she is very depressed, and I did suggest a visit to the doctor, but he did not think that she would go. :( any advice welcome. Sarah

Have just read a really nice poem on another thread about rainbow bridge, should have looked before I posted. Sarah

I think it's a lovely idea to have some photo's of Jake done for your mum. No matter how sad she feels at the moment, if she's anything like my mum (and myself) she'll look back on them with love and fond memories in the months to come.
Here's one of my fav' poems, and also the story of Rainbow Bridge :)

Don't grieve too long for now I'm free
I'm following the path God set for me
I ran to Him when I heard His call
I wagged my tail and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To bark, to love, to romp or play
Games left unplayed must stay that way
I found such peace it made my day.

My parting has left you with a void
So fill it with your remembered joy
A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full, you've given so much
Your time, your love and gentle touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free
(Author unknown)

Rainbow Bridge

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....

(Author unknown)

I think the poem about rainbow bridge is a lovely poem. I wanted to know who wrote it (I think it was Paul C Dahm's.) I looked on other sites regarding this poem and there are some lovely ones. It always makes me cry when I read it.

Sarah

How very sad - I think almost all of us on here can identify with the loss your mum feels - ut how she feels it is very personal to her and what will help her is also likely to be personal too. Some people underestimate how deep seated the grief can be that we feel when we lose a pet - but it is a very real and deep grief that only time will really help with.

Talk to your mum about their dog and ask her if she would maybe like to look at photos etc, but other than that - I think I'd just let her call the shots. The thing I wouldn't do - not that you said you were - is look to replace the dog.

I do feel for you though - I had this recently with my mum when they lost their 15 year old cairn terrier. It was to years ago now and she is just coming round.

very best wishes

Pam n the boys

Hi Sarah

How sad for your Mum and Dad :(
I think it's a lovely idea to send the photos. Why don't you put them all together with some memories you have of what is was about him that made you smile or things he got up to etc... You can give them to your Mum - she doesn't have to read them right away but she could keep hold of them and look at them later.
18 years old is a grand old age and is a tribute in itself to the care and love that he must have received :)
Thinking of you
Lara x

Hi,
So very sad to hear of ur mom's loss.
I'm sorry :(

ttfn :(

Thank you all for you kind words, the poem is lovely, yes he was a grand old age and he had had a very happy life with very little illness, something to be greatful for :) Dad says that she feels like she has lost one of her children and has told me not to worry as he is there and will take care of her. I know that he is hurting too, I can tell, his voice is different and there were no ridiculous jokes coming out. But he is only being strong for my Mum. I have now found out that when Dad got up to let Jake out yesterday morning Jake could not get up out of his bed and Dad went to help him up, once up there was, what my dad described as an explosion from his rear end as blood went everywhere. :( the vet was called imediately but because of his age she said that he would not cope with investigative tests or surgery and the only fair thing to do was to put him to sleep. Im just thankful that it was not a long illness where he would have suffered whilst trying to find out what was wrong. I think they made the right decision. :( thanks again for your support and the lovely poem. Sarah

Hi Sarah, It certainly sounds as though they made the right decision. But boy, doesn't it hurt. Please give them my sympathies.

Is Your Heart
by Glenys Fryer

Do you think you Heart is big enough
To store the love he gives
This lovely Pup you’ve just acquired
In the short time that he lives
Do you think your Heart is wide enough
To store up all the pride
Of this handsome dog, all grown up
As he walks out by your side
And will you Heart be strong enough
To cope with all the pain
When the time has come to say goodbye
You cant see him again
Well when my Hearts no longer strong
And My Life comes to an end
There will be a celebration
‘Cause I’ll see my friend again
As I take my walk down Heavenly Shores
I know that I will see
That familiar face, that wagging tail
Waiting There for me

Thank you Glenys, the poem is lovely, if it is ok with you I am going to get a nice card and write the poems in and send it to my mum with some photo's of Jake that I have. As you have written this yourself I wondered if you would mind me using it. I wish I could put words down on paper like that. :) Sarah

Please feel free to use it if it will help your Mum at this sad time.

Thank you Glenys :) Sarah