The Rainbow Bridge Memorial

[Rebel Dragons]

I would like to start this thread in memory of all the pets that we have lost in our lives. It is my hope that others will come here and post the stories and pictures of their beloved pets as well.

I had to put down my ferret Mookie on October 28th 2001. He had adrenal cancer and the tumor had wrapped itself around the vena cava. Surgery was not an option. As time passed Mookie became paralyzed in his hind end and lost his sight. We made him a cart to carry his butt around and he did well for several more weeks. On October 28th I woke up and just knew that the time had come. I had decided to have him cremated and made the necessary arrangements. On November 6th I received his ashes and a card with a poem on it. I was moved to tears and still am today every time I read it.



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...

 

[Jim O]

Mike,

I'm glad that you started this thread. It is a tough topic, losing a loved one. I put one of my dogs down last December, just before Christmas. Sam was a sweet eight year old Golden Retriever who had one bit of bad luck after another. When he was five he blew out a knee and needed major reconstructive surgery. About eight months prior to his death I noticed one of his toes was black and swollen. We had the toe amputated and it was a malignant melanoma. The surgical margins were clear and we were hopeful. About two months before he died he started limping on the leg where he had the knee surgery. We thought it was arthritis, an expected after effect of the original injury and surgery but it continued to get worse. I brought him back in and a mass was palpated, and then seen on x-ray. The mass was pressing on his spinal nerves that innervated that leg. I brought him for an ultrasound guided biopsy and it turned out to be a sarcoma, a second primary malignancy in the same year. Over the course of the next few weeks, he lost all use of that leg, and as the tumor grew it began to compress his rectum, making emptying his bowels difficult. Finally it was obvious that he could not empty one morning and I called and arranged for him to be euthanized later that day. I held him while he got the injection.

I had him cremated by Pet Cremation Services of Tidewater. They were very sensitive and caring. When I picked up his ashes I got a copy of that same poem also. I still miss that guy every day.

 

[Rebel Dragons]

Mike,

I'm glad that you started this thread. It is a tough topic, losing a loved one. I put one of my dogs down last December, just before Christmas. Sam was a sweet eight year old Golden Retriever who had one bit of bad luck after another. When he was five he blew out a knee and needed major reconstructive surgery. About eight months prior to his death I noticed one of his toes was black and swollen. We had the toe amputated and it was a malignant melanoma. The surgical margins were clear and we were hopeful. About two months before he died he started limping on the leg where he had the knee surgery. We thought it was arthritis, an expected after effect of the original injury and surgery but it continued to get worse. I brought him back in and a mass was palpated, and then seen on x-ray. The mass was pressing on his spinal nerves that innervated that leg. I brought him for an ultrasound guided biopsy and it turned out to be a sarcoma, a second primary malignancy in the same year. Over the course of the next few weeks, he lost all use of that leg, and as the tumor grew it began to compress his rectum, making emptying his bowels difficult. Finally it was obvious that he could not empty one morning and I called and arranged for him to be euthanized later that day. I held him while he got the injection.

I had him cremated by Pet Cremation Services of Tidewater. They were very sensitive and caring. When I picked up his ashes I got a copy of that same poem also. I still miss that guy every day.

Thanks for sharing Sam's story Jim. I know it can sometimes be hard to speak of such things but I found after time I could. I now tell everyone I know about Mookie and enjoy looking back at the time we shared together. I too held him as he received the injection. I would not change that for the world. He was not alone and that is what mattered most to me.


I really am glad I chose cremation. I was a bit apprehensive at first but those fears were put to rest once I saw how tastefull and professional the whole process was. I had all my ferrets cremated and for each one I chose a hand carved wooden box with the name of the ferret on it. When you open the box the packet of ashes is covered with a nice dried flower. Each ferret has a diffrent flower Cremation can get a bit pricey but if it's something your interested in I fully believe it's worth every penny. I always chose individual cremation which made it more expensive but I didn't want to have someones dog or cat mixed in with my ferret.