we said good bye to a member of our family. Caroline, our sweet Caroline, passed peacefully on today. For 8 years we have shared our lives with her and loved her like our own. She was our pet, and we her family. She never failed to make us smile and constantly reminded us why we do what we do…
Thank you for the memories…you will be truly and deeply missed.
11 Comments
I’m so sorry for your lose. The good memories will always be with the pain you feel now. Happy thoughts to Caroline now playing at the Rainbow Bridge.
Deepest sympathies! I lost my baby one month ago after having her 11 years. It’s so hard I know. She was lucky to have all you and I’m sure her spirit will be be you always.
It is always so hard to say good bye. It’s been almost 2 years for our sweet Holly and over 3 years for our big guy Murph and I miss them every day! I can’t wait until we can welcome a couple more into our lives. I am sorry for your loss…
oh, so very sorry. Very sad. May she rest in peace and smile on the hearts of those whose lives she touched.
I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS… NO WORDS CAN EVER DESCRIBE THE PAIN WE FEEL WHEN ONE OF OUR KIDS PASSES ON… MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES… FROMONE RESCUER TO ANOTHER… THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE AND UNSELFISHNESS YOU SHOW!!
It is said that when animals die they don’t go to heaven, they go to the Rainbow Bridge where they wait for their owners. The area around the Rainbow Bridge is sunny, warm but not too warm, flowers, grass and all the animals have been restored to a youthful healthy state.
On one particular day it was unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.
But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn’t long before an elderly dog came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again! As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.
But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly. They weren’t playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn’t understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.
“You see, that poor animal was abanonded by his owners. He was turned into a shelter just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of the shelter and passed on. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge. ”
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, “So what will happen now?”
As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted.
Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
“Watch, and see” said the second animal.
A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge.
They all crossed The Bridge together.
“What happened?”
“That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn’t place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge. ”
“I think I like rescuers,” said the first animal.
“So does GOD,” was the reply.
what a beautiful girl — you can tell she was surrounded by love. she blossomed because of you, and you will always carry her sweetness — passing it on to the many, many dogs and people you bring together. i send you hopes for peace and healing.
She moved on happy…that’s all we can hope for for our own selves:) Caroline is watching over you all.
I am very sorry at the loss of Caroline. Our animals are our family and when they move on, it is so painful. I am facing the same thing, my dog, Partner, will be sixteen on his next birthday, and we are just glad for each day we have with him. I am sure Caroline is happy and will be there to greet you when it is your turn to go.
I would love to honor Caroline and your love for her by bringing you a pet prayer flag (www.prayersonthewind.com) . I hope it helps. I will drop it by today.
Thank you Vicki for the prayer flag. I hung it today in “Caroline’s room”….
I cant beleive she is gone! I saw her shining face just 3 long and prosperous years ago when I aquainted myself with my little male chihuahua. She was on a walk with one of the employees as I pulled up to the wonderful place I have come to know as Family Dogs New Life Shelter. Her tail wagged, her eyes shined and her smile shone bright as the sun… It’s hard for me to imagine the sorrow you feel, I’ve only seen her once before and I already feel distressed… Im so sorry for you I hope that your lives are filled with happiness and love though she is gone I’m sure her love and thanks will live with you forever