The Candle Lighting

This candle being lit tonight;
It casts a soft and welcome flame.
And draws our loved one to the light,
As we call to him by name.

Imagine spirits taking flight,
For a moment, our souls entwine.
Say not Good Night, but Sweet Adieu
Till we meet in some Brighter Time.

(Author Unknown)

Fairwell Master

Fairwell, Master, yet not farewell.
Where I go, you too shall dwell.
I am gone, before your face,
A moment's time, a little space.
When ye come where I have stepped
Ye will wonder why ye wept.

("After Death" by Edwin Arnold)

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

My little puppy passed away, no more to breathe a sound
I held him for the last time, then entombed him in the ground.
Day and night I wept so much, in tears I thought I'd drown.
I searched my soul for comfort, but no peace therein was found.

In great despair, I hit my knees and then began to pray.
"Father, will I ever see my dog again someday?"
I raised my eyes and saw an angel standing near a gate.
I sensed an inner peace I'd never felt before that day.

The angel smiled and said to me, "Oh man of little faith!
God sees every bird that falls, He knows your puppy's fate.
I have met your little dog, I saw him pass my way.
Your precious dog is still alive, he just walked through this gate.

Paradise is lovelier than you can comprehend.
No pain or grief, no tears or fears, and life will have no end.
God gave to man His only Son, to cover all his sins.
So why would God withhold from you, your pure and loving friend?"

The angel took me by the hand and said, "Now come with me.
A glimpse of paradise I'll give to you so you can see."
Through the gate and o'er the Rainbow Bridge  we did proceed.
Through green valleys filled with flowers, rolling hills and trees.

"Wow! So this is paradise!" The place was filled with joy.
I saw my puppy playing there, with dogs and cats and toys.
He also had some doggie treats, and food that he enjoyed.
He'd made a lot of new friends there, including girls and boys.

Then I saw a child come near and hug my little mate.
She said to him, "I love you so," and kissed him on the face.
The angel said, "The child just crossed the Rainbow Bridge  today.
Now she needs a little friend, to love and help her play.

God's love for her would be enough, in that make no mistake.
But in His love, He knew full well the child would want a mate.
This is why God called your dog unto this splendid place.
God's entrusted her with him, 'til you pass through the gate.

I pleaded, "May I hug them both?!" The angel answered, "No!
You'd violate a sacred site, and now it's time to go."
He led me back across the bridge and through the gate to home.
He left me there with new-found hope and peace within my soul.

If someone ever asks what happens to a dog that dies,
Just give a gentle smile of joy and look them in the eye.
Take their hand and comfort them and tell them not to cry.
For dogs don't die, they simply cross a bridge to paradise.

(Author: Dan Atchison)

The Eulogy

Look not where I was,
For I am not there.
My spirit is free,
I am everywhere.

In the air that you breathe,
In the sounds that you hear.
Don't cry for me Mom and Dad.
My spirit is near.

I'll watch for you
From the other side.
I'll be the one running,
New friends by my side.

Smile at my memory –
Remember in your heart.
This isn't the end,
It's a brand new start.

(Author: Carol Kufner)

Rainbow Bridge:  Sequel To The Original

Oh, when we get to Heaven,
We hope that we will find
The souls that once we loved
Who left us all behind.

Some left us at the right time,
They left this world in peace.
Others left too sudden
Without the chance to say Goodbye.
They were gone before we had
The chance to even cry.

There's a special place for grownups,
A special place for kids.
Me?  I'll be on the other side –
The side called Rainbow Bridge.

Across the dark green meadow,
A'top the hills I'll run.
Where the colors from the rainbow
Glitter from the sun.

And there I'll find my sweetheart
Running fast toward me.
In my arms where he belongs,
for all eternity.

(Author: Jean McColgan)

The Creation

When God had made the earth and sky,
the flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals,  
the fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last He'd finished,
not one was quite the same.
He said, "I'll walk this world of mine  
and give each one a name."

And so He traveled far and wide,  
and everywhere He went,
a little creature followed Him
until it's strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth
and in the sky and sea,
the little creature said, "Dear Lord,
there's not one left for me."

Kindly the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
and called you dog, My friend."

(Author Unknown)

Beyond the Rainbow

(Letter from Maxy to his parents)

Dear Family,

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free,
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful – lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see,
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new.
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright -
That this place is truly wonderful! Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

'Twas the glow of many candles shining bright and strong and bold.
And I knew then that it held your love, in its brilliant shades of gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart.
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with heart.

Love, Maxy

March 9, 2003

("Beyond the Rainbow" - Author: Cathy Guyan - Copyright©1995)

Extinguishing of the Candle

This candle will now be extinguished – but only its flame here on earth!  For we know in Heaven, Maxy’s Spirit of Light will never be extinguished!  We carry this candle home now and place it in a very special place.  A place to commemorate Maxy’s life, this memorial place will remind us that Maxy is never far from us, and we shall see him again someday!

PRAYER:

God, Creator of all living things, we ask that as we extinguish this candle, the healing warmth of Your love will flow into our broken hearts.  Give to us Your strength and comfort.  We also pray that the soft glow of light will part the clouds of grief and sorrow to surround our furbaby at the Bridge.  May ALL furbabies' excitement REIGN SUPREME as wagging tails, ecstatic purrs and flapping feathers feel Your gentle touch once again.  May they know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for their faithfulness and gift of unconditional love, as they are forever remembered.  We are temporarily separated for only a short while.  The silver cord that connects us through time and space can never be broken.  In Your Son’s name we pray.

AMEN

"Heaven's Gate"