Farewell Old Friend - My sweet "puppy"

R.I.P. Pepper
13 September 2009

Driving home from a fantastic weekend in Washington, DC, where over a MILLION patriotic American gathered to confirm their dedication to the Constitution of the United States of America, was more difficult for me than for the other participants of the historic rally.
I knew all the way home, that I would not be unpacking my bags...not just yet.
I would have to dig a grave in my back yard.
Then I would have to prepare a makeshift "coffin" for our beloved pet, and longtime companion, Pepper.
She was buried with her favorite squeeze toy, a couple of her favorite brand of "bones", (she loved IAMS), a small Panda-bear stuffed toy, and her leash.
There is now a solar light above her, to keep her in our thoughts, and we'll have some sort of marker soon.

Yes, we're grieving. But we know that she has crossed that "Rainbow Bridge" and will be there waiting...tail wagging as it ALWAYS did, to greet us when we meet again.

So read the Poem by Rudyard Kipling, and take 10 minutes out of your lives to watch a great episode of "The Twilight Zone". And remember YOUR dog.

If you've never had a dog, you're missing out on one of God's greatest gifts to his human creations.

Farewell Pepper...until we meet again.

The Power of the Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

-Rudyard Kipling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLxctnHnS6U