Moochs In Memory Of

THE SPIRIT OF THE MASTIFF
I was standing on a hillside in a field of blowing wheat,
and the spirit of a Mastiff was lying at my feet.

He looked at me with kind dark eyes, an ancient wisdom shining through,
And in the essence of his being I saw love there too.

His mind did lock upon my heart as I stood there on that day
And he told me of this story about a place so far away.

I stood upon that hillside in a field of blowing wheat
and in a twinkling of a second his spirit left my feet.

His tale did put my heart at ease, my fears did fade away
about what lay ahead of me on another distant day.

I live among God's creatures now in the heavens of your mind,
So do not grieve for me, my friend, as I am with my kind

My collar is a rainbow's hue, my leash a shooting star,
My boundaries are the Milky Way where I sparkle from afar.

There are no pens or kennels her for I am not confined,
But free to roam God's heavens among the Mastiff kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud, gentle breezes rocking me,
And dream the dreams of earthlings and how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats and tennis balls abound,
And milkbones line the walkways just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up, the grass all lush and green,
Where even Rescue Mastiffs become the Best of Breed.

For we're all winners in this place, we have no fault you see
And God passes out those ribbons to each one, even me.

I drink form waters laced with gold, my world a beauty to behold,
and wise old dogs do form my pride to amble at my very side.

At night I sleep in angel's arms, her wings protecting me,
And moonbeams dance about us as stardust fall on thee.

So when your life on earth is spent and you stand at heaven's gate,
Have no fear or loneliness for here you know I wait.
Author Unknown

Mooch came into our lives in the evening hours of August 25, 1999. Mooch left our lives in the early morning hours of June 7, 2001.

He came to me one evening, all sad and lonely too - you see he’d lost his sister and the only life he knew. That life was cruel and hateful, no goodness was he shown- we were both searching for something, at that time unknown.

Sex became his sister, and I became his mom...little did I realize what I had taken on. I stood by him while eating, I taught him right from wrong.. I almost didn’t make it, it took so awful long.

He taught me joy and laughter, and lasting patience too. He gave me unconditional love like all my good friends do. He was my constant companion, I taught him life was good. He flourished with my love for him and proud and tall he stood.

He woke me every morning, he slept each day at my feet. In the evening he sang and talked to me, he never missed a treat. He leapt when being playful, he protected me to the end. I never ever felt afraid, his duty to me was to defend.

At night a kiss and "sleepytime" was all he needed to hear, to know another day was ending and morning would be near. Each night before he closed his eyes, he rose to check on me - a sniff was all I ever heard, it always had to be.

Who knows why you went by the road, you never did before. If I could change one thing in life, I’d wait beside the door. I miss him more than words can say, he knew I loved him dear. His memories will never fade and I’ll always hold him near.

He taught me things I can’t repay, and now that he is gone - it seems the house is empty, that things just can’t go on. Goodbye my faithful companion, your life was short but sweet. I know you know I loved you, and someday soon we’ll meet. To spend together forever in a different place we know. I love you Mooch my "baby", I’m so sorry you had to go.

You needed me and I needed you… it was fate that made us find each other at just the right time. Even though we both said no more... it’s too much. And you tested me every step of the way… at first. Rachel will never forget you either. Towards the end you’d holler for me even when I went to tend to another mastiff in need. We both knew it was time and you waited until I was right there by your side and it was quick... Thank you… Although I miss you something terrible… you are now healthy. You were my Rockaman… The Rock Man… everyone stopped to comment on how awesome you were… Only you and I knew you were my baby. You gave me strength to go on when our life fell apart and you endured the long move to start again. You pulled through more than once because I still needed you… You will always be with me… until we meet again… I love you… Sue

DERBY Derby was only with me for five short weeks. Her strength, beauty, grace, willingness to please, and loving ways will always be with me. I'm so very greatful our paths crossed and while I understand my job was to help her over the Bridge loved and held close, it is not easy to let go.

Run free with your health restored and be happy with all those that have gone before you. May you find the softest bed to sneak up on until mine is available again. I love ya baby girl... Sue

Tonka I'll miss ya bud... Until we meet again, I know that you are now safe with those who have gone before you and your mind is now at peace... Sue

Prince Your valiant struggle to overcome what you were forced to endure by stupid humans was amazing. You finally knew what love and caring was. Until we meet again... Sue

You are now healthy and whole and free of all the pain. Until we meet again, may there be miles and miles of open fields for you to run to your heart's content... Sue

You and I tried so hard Moose... may what caused you so much pain and confusion now be vanished. I know you have found the loving arms of an angel to watch over you and love you until we meet again... Sue

Bee (aka Beauty) - Such a beautiful girl... crossed Rainbow Bridge 1/22/06. Very loved by Elvis, Giselle, Mannie and family.

Nemo... left this world in December of '06. He was so lucky to have been loved and so well cared for... and was such a wonderful neoboy... Mara, his neogirl, is also sadly missed... May you both be happy, healthy and free until you are with Matt again... Sue

HOWIE left us on Mother's Day (5/13/07). He was a 2 old male harlequin great dane that came to rescue severely emaciated, with an embedded collar and no socialization skills. Also severe heartworm positive and with adrenal gland tumors. He was so loved by his foster family (the Adams), both skin and fur and their extended family and friends. He learned through all of them what being able to live inside, love, good food, care and a warm bed is... things he wouldn't have had if not for them. And he loved them back unconditionally. He got all the medical care he could handle... he just got tired. There were so many that helped Howie that never did get to meet him and cared enough to want to help. Thank you all so much. He lives on in each and every one of us that did. May you rest in peace sweet baby Howie...

Dude - who left us in January of 2008... What a lucky bordeaxboy you were for finding Susan, Hal, Rascal, Angel and the rest of the crew who were your family... Rest in peace awesome DudeMan... you were very loved by us all...

A Living Love

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember . . .

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter -- simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room -- and when you feel it brush against you for the first time -- it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and
unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep when you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet -- and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives...... And on this day -- if your friend and whatever higher being you believe in have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own -- on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you - - you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night. If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you. But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul -- a bit smaller in size than your own -- seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come. And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg --very, very lightly. And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lie -- you will remember those three significant days. The memory will most likely to be painful, and leave an ache in your heart. As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it,it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when ....
along with the memory of your pet -- and piercing
through the heaviness in your heart -- there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love -- like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow -- and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, to join our Beloved Pets -- it is a Love we will always possess.

To my beloved owner, there's some things I'd like to say. But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from the Bridge. Here I dwell with God above. Here there's no more tears of sadness. Here is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, I welcome you. It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on. God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight, God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years, because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; But together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too; That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain; Then you can say to God at night My day was not in vain. And now I am contented that my life was worthwhile. Knowing as I passed along I made somebody smile. God says: If you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low; Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street with me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go, from that body to be free. Remember you're not going, you're coming here to me. -Author Unknown

Music by Maria Danes dedicated to Mercy, the pit bull, who was tortured and died. Operation Kindness rescued Mercy and did all they could.