Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our friend Karen, Maruk's mom, sent us this link. It's from PetLoss.com, and the page is filled with links to insparational and healing poetry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here is a beautiful poem we received in my "Our Hike Shall Go On" blog post:
Loved you Best
So this is where we part my Friend, and you’ll run on, around the bend.
Gone from sight, but not from mind, new pleasures there you’ll surely find.
I will go on, I’ll find the strength, life measures quality, not it's length.
One long embrace before you leave, share one last look, before I grieve.
There are others, that much is true, but they be they and they aren’t you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought, Will remember well all you’ve taught.
Your place I’ll hold, you will be missed, the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest, take this with you… I loved you best.
-Jim Willis 2002
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's another one that we just received in our "Saying Goodbye (part 2)" post:
The day that you died
My heart split in two
One side filled with memories
The other died with you
Now I lay awake at night
While the world is asleep
To take a walk down memory lane
A tear upon my cheek
Remembering you is easy
I do it every day
But missing you is heartache
That never goes away
I hold you lightly in my heart
There you shall remain
Now life goes on without you
But it will never be the same
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here are two I keep on my computer:
A Treasured
Friend
I lost a treasured friend today
The little dog who used to lay
Her gentle head upon my knee
And share her silent thoughts with me...
She'll come no longer to my call
Retrieve no more her favorite ball
A voice far greater than my own
Has called her to His golden throne.
Although me eyes are filled with tears,
I thank Him for the happy years
He let her spend down here with me
And for her love and loyalty.
When it is time for me to go
And join her there, this much I know...
I shall not fear the transient dark
For she will greet with her bark.
Author Unknown
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not
sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly
falling
snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of
ripening
grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of
beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the
night.
I
am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in
the birds
that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at
my grave
and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.
Mary Frye
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Beautiful. Thanks for starting this topic. Reminds us of the poem from Jerry's eulogy, which we were given at a dear friend's wake …
An Irish Blessing
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.I saw his face, I heard his call,
I took his hand and left it all …
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss …
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much;
Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch.Perhaps my time seemed all to brief –
Don’t shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
After losing Tai this week, Tai's Mom Laura posted this beautiful poem today.
IF IT SHOULD BE
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep;
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad – I understand,
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so,
The time has come, please let me go.
Take me to where my needs they'll tend
And please stay with me to the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Please do not grieve; it must be you
Who has this painful thing to do.
We've been so close we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for posting this thread Rene. I was looking for it the other day and couldn't find it. I have it saved now.
Just in case you are wondering, I haven't forgotten. 
Have fun on the open road (I'm envious) and tell that Wyatt to keep his paws on the wheel and off the keys!
Fortis'Dad
You're so welcome. This is a great place to keep posting these kinds of sentiments.
No worries on the info, whenever you can. Give Fortis a smooch from us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I love this...the first paragraph especially.
The House Dog's Grave by Robinson Jeffers (1887 - 1862)
I've changed my ways a little; I cannot now
Run with you in the evenings along the shore,
Except in a kind of dream; and you,
If you dream a moment,
You see me there.
So leave awhile the paw-marks on the front door
Where I used to scratch to go out or in,
And you'd soon open; leave on the kitchen floor
The marks of my drinking-pan.
I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do
On the warm stone,
Nor at the foot of your bed; no,
All the nights through I lie alone.
But your kind thought has laid me less than six feet
Outside your window where firelight so often plays,
And where you sit to read‚
And I fear often grieving for me‚
Every night your lamplight lies on my place.
You, man and woman, live so long, it is hard
To think of you ever dying.
A little dog would get tired, living so long.
I hope that when you are lying
Under the ground like me your lives will appear
As good and joyful as mine.
No, dears, that's too much hope:
You are not so well cared for as I have been.
And never have known the passionate undivided
Fidelities that I knew.
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many-sided...
But to me you were true.
You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end. If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
I should have known this would bring tears. It is good, the uninterupted love. Not divided by other thoughts, just true and singleminded. Thanks Rhonda,
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
We lost a beautiful Tripawd Warrior Princess today. I just wanted to re-post this here for everyone who needs comfort at this sad time. 
"I'm Still Here" (author unknown)
Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I'll never wander out of your sight,
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach,
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.
I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
the first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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