Quand je ne serai plus là, relâche-moi
J’ai tellement de choses à faire et à voir
Ne pleure pas en pensant à moi
Sois reconnaissance pour les belles années
Je t’ai donné mon amour
Tu peux seulement deviner
Le bonheur que tu m’as donné

Je te remercie de l’amour que tu m’as démontré
Mais, maintenant, il est temps de voyager seul.
Pour un court moment, tu peux avoir de la peine.
La confiance t’apportera réconfort et consolation.
Nous serons séparés pour quelques temps.
Laisse les souvenirs apaiser ta douleur,
Je ne suis pas loin, et la vie continue.


Si tu as besoins de moi, appelle-moi et je viendrai,
Même si tu ne peux me voir ou me toucher, je serai là,
Et si tu écoutes ton cœur, tu éprouveras clairement
La douceur de l’amour que je t’apporterai.
Et quand il sera temps pour toi de partir,
Je serai là pour t’accueillir.

In memory of Basil ...

CATS ARE WONDERFUL FRIENDS

Gentle eyes that see so much,
Paws that have the quiet touch.
Purrs to signal "all is well"
And show more love than words could tell.
Graceful movements touched with pride,
A calming presence by our side.
A friendship that takes time to grow,
Small wonder why we love them so.

Author Unknown

In memory of Mindi ...

HER JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN

Don't think of her as gone away,
Her journey's just begun.
Life holds so many facets,
This earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting
From the sorrows and the tears,
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days or years.
Think how she must be wishing
That we could know today,
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of her as living
In the hearts of those she touched,
For nothing loved is ever lost
And she was loved so much.

Author Unknown

In memory of Hugo ...

JUST MY DOG

He’s just my dog.
He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
My other ears that hear above the winds.
He is the part of me that can reach out into the seas.
He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being.
By the way he rests against my leg.
By the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile.
By the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.
When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy abound.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.

Without him, I am only another person.
With him, I am all powerful.
He has promised to wait for me ... whenever ...
In case I need him; and I expect I will---
As I always have.
He is my dog.

Author Unknown

In memory of Reily ...

Courageous Reily

March 2002 - November 2011

In memory of Justice ...

THE PURRY GATES

It seems that I've reached Heaven,
or its doorstep at any rate,
and been winding round St. Peter's ankles
by the Pearly Gates.
I've plucked the angels' harp strings
and made a merry sound,
But it's plucking at my heartstrings
that you are not around.

The tide recedes but leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down but gentle
warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops and yet it echoes
on in sweet refrains.
For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains.

Author Unknown

In memory of Pogo ...

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain prevail my peaceful sleep,
Then you must do what must be done
When this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Selfishness might stay your hand,
But on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship take the test.

We've had so many happy years,
That what's to come can hold no fear.
You'd not want me to suffer. So,
When the time comes please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
Only -- Stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know, in time, you too will see
It is a kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Do not grieve it should be you,
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years...
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

In memory of Mitch ...

À contempler tes beaux grands yeux jaunes pleins de douceur et d’éternité, qui oserait prétendre qu’un animal n’a pas d’âme, mon beau petit félin. Cette photo prise en cette chaude soirée de septembre 2012, alors qu’assis devant moi, tu me regardais les yeux remplis d’affection et de confiance. Comment aurais-je pu savoir à ce moment-là qu’à peine six mois plus tard, la mort viendrait sans prévenir t’arracher à moi de manière aussi injuste, toi à la personnalité si contrastante et qui aimais tant la vie…

Qu’est-ce que je t’ai aimé, Mitch… Bien plus que la vaste majorité de ceux de ma race. C’est que les animaux, eux, aiment et se laissent aimer de manière inconditionnelle. Ton départ soudain figure parmi les grandes douleurs de ma vie, mon «beau gros». Tu es mort dans mes bras, suivant l’injection. Le choc et la douleur qui ont suivi furent très violents. Souvent, je suis allé m’asseoir au bord de la rivière pour pleurer en regardant le soleil se coucher et me demandant si tu ne te trouvais pas quelque part dans cette lumière. De toi, il ne me reste plus que ce petit sac de cendres que parfois je pose contre mon cœur quand tu me manques trop, afin que tu le sentes battre, moi qui ai mis fin aux battements du tien.

En ce moment, tu te trouves dans un espace auquel je n’ai pas encore tout à fait accès, et je ne puis que t’aimer dans mon cœur, qui est un lieu sûr où je t’aime et te protège encore et toujours. C’est là tout ce que je peux t’offrir pour l’heure, mon noiraud. Mais je garde espoir qu’un jour je te retrouverai afin de t’aimer encore davantage.

Bénis sois-tu, mon petit félin, pour tout ce que tu m’auras donné au cours de ces huit années et des poussières. Ta petite vie de chat n’aura pas été vaine.

Je t’aime Mitch,

Pierre-Jérôme

In memory of Pookie ...

You went first and we remain to walk the road alone,
We live in mem'ry's garden, dear, with happy days we've known.

We've known so much of happiness we've had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy.

Someday down that lonely road you'll hear me call your name,
Beyond the sunset we will be together once again.

Author Unknown

In memory of Zak ...

Zak was a purebred Border Collie. He was born 26 August 2007 from a purebred family of Collies. We adopted Zak on November 2007 from the shelter in Aylmer, Quebec.

Zak checked on all his remaining siblings and then came to see Gilles and Marc. He was the only one who came to see them. He chose Marc. He already had a name and we kept it.

Zak came home with Gilles and Marc on a cold November day. Already, his brother Buddy was home with Alain. They seemed happy when they were reunited. They shared the same doggy bed and slept closely together while puppies.

They grew up and brought us a lot of laughs and affection. Found out that an empty pill bottle is the perfect rattle and best game. Then, a squeaky ball gets Zak very excited and starts a play time. He would squeak and squeak that ball until our ears were sore. Whereever he was, he would arrive quickly upon hearing a squeaky ball. Buddy was last to get his turn. Border Collies are runners, so they love to play catch the ball for a very long time. Zak would run through puddles and roll in dirt. He loved to dig up a nice cool hole in summer when it was very hot outside. He dug up a big hole once in my flower bed. He also dug up a nice hole under the front porch where he loved to sleep and watch the front yard. He also had one under the back porch. Zak loved carpets. Somehow, he would rub his nose into it until the carpet was all bunched up. I knew it was Zazoo. Ah, yes, we also called him Zazoo. I don’t know how we came up with this nickname but he responded to that name as well as Zak.

Zak liked to go to the garage with us. He would lie down under the trucks or sprawl on the cool cement floor. Found out he was very irritated with the garage vacuum. One day, Gilles heard a very strange howl and wondered what it was. When he turned off the vacuum, that noise stopped. He found out it was Zak howling when the vacuum was working. I tested it and for sure, Zak started howling. It was funny because those dogs are very quiet. They only bark when a visitor comes to the door or when someone comes in the house. They tell us someone is here. Zak was our guard dog. He would patrol our property daily and did his pee rounds watering the bushes. He knew his property and didn’t run away. Buddy barked also at visitors but he goes away to hide. But Zak would stay around and did his bodyguard patrol or growl at strangers.
Both dogs like going for car rides and are quiet, just laying down on the back seat. Zak would sit up when the car stopped or when he saw that we were arriving in the driveway. Somehow, he didn’t want to jump into the car. We always had to lift him into the back seat. He was able to jump when he wanted but he didn’t want. Buddy doesn’t need any help; he just jumps in.

Zak loved chewing bones. I occasionally bought him bones at the grocery store. He loved it and would also steal Buddy’s bone. He loved carrots, peanut butter, bacon and grapes. It was funny what he did with a grape. He was using it as a little ball and ran after it for a while and then eat it. Zak was an easy going dog. He liked to play ball and would not always bring it back because he was so used to get it stolen by Buddy who brought it back that he would catch it and then drop it for Buddy to bring it back. Zak had a thick fur coat and loved the outside. He was never cold even in winter. He loved rolling in the snow. I think he was washing his fur in the snow. Zak had a favorite spot in the house to sleep and a basket. He often slept on the carpet by the front door where the floor vent was or in his basket under the window. He also liked to sleep or rest on the top of the stairs. Up there, he could watch what was going on in the kitchen or in the living room. It was also his night sleeping spot.

One day, Buddy came home very agitated and without Zak. Alain went out to see where Zak was. He found him laying down and in spasms. He was having seizures. Buddy had gone home to get help for Zak. Both dogs are always together; never far apart. We always gave the same attention to each dogs, same food and same caring.

Zak started to feel sick on Friday, September 21. During the night he started to vomit and by the morning, he really wasn’t looking well. On Saturday afternoon, we took him to see the vet who told us he was running a fever. He gave him an injection to stop vomiting and for fever. On Monday morning, Sept 23, he was worse and not moving much. The vet gave him some IV fluids, injections and took his blood work. Within a few hours, the vet knew what Zak had. His blood work was only 8% for his red blood cells. He was dying. He has “Immune medicated hemolytic anemia". His own immune system attacks his red blood cells and destroys them. He got an emergency blood transfusion and put on Prednizone and antibiotics. He came home at end of day very weak but was alive. He almost died that day.

With the medication and his blood transfusion, he seemed to hold on and even get better one day.
It was short lived, as good as he was looking well one day, he was back to barely moving the next. We took him again to see the vet hoping he could do some miracle or stop this disease but there was nothing more he could do. Zak came back home for the weekend and progressively got weaker and then stopped eating. On Monday, October 7, at 10:30 am, he took one last breath and died in front of Marc who was on the phone with the vet. Nothing could be done to save him at this point.

Zak has left us but he has not left our heart. We miss him tremendously. He was the clown dog with his tongue sticking out of his mouth and dripping on my floor. He was the big fluffy dog who could be hugged on the sofa. He was gentle and lovable. Marc, Alain and I buried him in the back yard by Marc’s trailer. He was put to rest in his basket with a squeaky ball. He was just 6 years old.

We loved him very much and he was happy with us. Buddy will miss him.

In memory of Shasta ...

Almost five years ago, you came into my life unexpectedly, an impulse from the heart. I went to the SPCA that day because it was busting at the seams with a surge in homeless dogs. I thought perhaps I might bring home a “tougher to adopt” older dog. After meeting a few of the older dogs, the SPCA folks said they thought they had the right dog for me: a 3-year old Akbash… Huh? Three was too young. And what the heck was an Akbash? When they brought you out, I bonded with you in an instant.  

You came to me physically and emotionally broken. Your large brown eyes were sad and lifeless. You cowered, and flinched at human touch. You were emaciated, with patches of fur, broken teeth, arthritis in your legs despite your young age and with a torn ACL. How does a dog tear their ACL while living 24/7 in a wire cage for 3 years? You were terrified of loud noises, the sound of a shovel or a rake, the sight of a garden hose. You were constantly ready to bolt. You did not trust a single human. And certainly not me. 

With time and love, that all changed. 

I will never forget the very first time I heard your deep and powerful bark, breaking seven weeks of total silence since your arrival. Nor will I forget watching you stop along our daily walking path, and raise your head to the sun, just to let the sunshine’s warmth caress your face. The first time I watched you wag your tail months later brought me such joy. With time, you became the calm, gentle, beautiful and graceful girl you were meant to be. 

You introduced me to the bittersweet world of dog rescue. You taught me about faith, trust, never giving up hope, and resilience.  

You came into this world as nothing more than a nameless breeding number. You left this world, my big girl Shasta, lying peacefully on your favourite bed by the window with your head in my arms. The last words you heard were “I love you my Big Girl”. 

You gave me so much more than I gave you.  

You will always be in my heart… RIP my Big Girl. 

In memory of Tender ...

Tender was the most loving of dog souls. She connected with humans on a very special level. Smart as a whip. Loved to eat snow and cuddle with us. Loved so hard and well. Kind beyond words. We adopted her from your shelter about 7 yrs ago. We walked dogs for a year before choosing her. I chose her when I looked into her eyes...and saw that she was the only dog calm and not jumping and barking. She touched me, she was there with her 6 puppies, and her SPCA name was Lexie. I was told that a wise woman brought her in from the Maniwaki reserve, and had named her Tender after her sweet disposition. Sweet she was. She left a big hole in my heart when I had to put her down due to aggressive lung cancer. She was only 8 years old. She was taken from us too early, and will always remain in our hearts.

In memory of Alice ...

What we have once enjoyed
we can never lose;
All that we love deeply,
becomes a part of us.

Helen Keller

In memory of Dooney ...

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 horizon
And listen with your heart.

Author Unknown

In memory of Drake ...

A good dog never dies, he always stays,
he walks besides you on crisp autumn days
when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near,
his head within our hand in his old way.

Author Unknown

In memory of Gypsy ...

Threescore and ten are given to man;
But ours is a much briefer span.
So, though I give you all my heart,
The time will come when we must part.
But all around you, you will see,
Creatures that speak to you of me;
A tired horse, a hunted thing,
A sparrow with a broken wing...
Pity and help (I know you will)
And somehow, I will be with you still;
And I shall know, although I’m gone,
The love I gave to you lingers on.

Author Unknown

In memory of India ...

Don't cry for me now I have died, for I'm still here I'm by your side.
My body's gone but my soul is here, please don't shed another tear.
I am still here I'm all around, only my body lies in the ground.
I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,
I am the frost that nips your toes.
I am the sun bringing you light,
I am the star shining so bright.
I am the rain refreshing the earth,
I am the laughter, I am the mirth.
I am the bird up in the sky,
I am the cloud that's drifting by.
I am the thoughts inside your head,
While I'm still there, I can't be dead.

Author Unknown

In memory of Juliette ...

Do not mourn my passing for if you could only see,
By slipping all my earthly bonds, I'm young again and free.
By day I run the Heavenly fields, my body healthy and strong,
At night I sleep at Angels' Feet, lulled by Celestial Song.
So do not mourn my passing, just close your eyes - you'll see,
I'm once again that frisky pup, just as you remember me.

Author Unknown

In memory of Katie ...

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But 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.

Rudyard Kipling

In memory of Lady ...

If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

In memory of Mollie ...

She was the most loving dog I had ever had - my shadow and protector - always with me no matter where I went in the house and at the cottage. She loved running through the fields, playing catch, going for car rides and looking out the window, and always knew when we were getting ready to drive to the cottage.  She always accompanied me on long kayak rides on the lake watching the loons, ducks, and herons. She sat with me for hours on the dock watching the wildlife but never went in the water.

Mollie was a very special dog - with a big bark and large personality.  I dearly miss that bark and personality.  She will always be my "puppy".

In memory of Mrs. Brisby ...

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. 


Anatole France

In memory of Polo ...

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss

In memory of Taffy ...

  Seven years ago we came in for a small dog...behind the desk on a leash tethered to a wall was this beautiful, beautiful girl...we walked a puppy...liked another that another couple was just adopting but kept coming back to this beautiful princess shaved and frightened behind the desk.

  We asked what her issue was...and were informed...just the day before she had come from the horrid puppy mill that has since been closed. That she was in the kill pen and a group of staff from your office grabbed her and three other dogs the day before. She would need a special home with people who knew about dog issues. WE knew..from past work with the humane society in Belleville and the adoption of our seizure ridden dog from being beaten so
often...we knew...Instantly it was a yes we could adopt her.

  Her papers said she was a purebred Briard named Topsy Turvey...oi...a lady who for the life of us right now we can't remember her name...explained she named her Taffy. Much more suited..for her colouring. We kept it...adding Princess Taffy...or as it became Taff, Taff Taff, Taffel. Tonight we had to put my beautiful princess down...who had never seen the outside of a cage or inside of a house till she came home with us..she was full of lymphoma and could no longer walk or eat.

  Though my heart aches right now..we want to thank you for our blessed 7 years with her..I'm sure one day you will see us again.

In memory of Victor ...

The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.

George Eliot

In memory of Maggie ...

A BRIDGE CALLED LOVE

It takes us back to brighter years,
to happier sunlit days
and to precious moments
that will be with us always.

And these fond recollections
are treasured in the heart
to bring us always close to those
from whom we had to part.

There is a bridge of memories
from earth to Heaven above...
It keeps our dear ones near us
It's the bridge that we call love.

Author Unknown

In memory of Pistache ...

POEM FOR CATS

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

In memory of Snowy ...

CATS ARE WONDERFUL FRIENDS

Gentle eyes that see so much,
Paws that have the quiet touch.
Purrs to signal "all is well"
And show more love than words could tell.
Graceful movements touched with pride,
A calming presence by our side.
A friendship that takes time to grow,
Small wonder why we love them so.

Author Unknown

In memory of Loca ...

WE HAVE A SECRET

We have a secret, you and I
that no one else shall know,
for who but I can see you lie
each night in fire glow?
And who but I can reach my hand
before we go to bed
and feel the living warmth of you
and touch your silken head?
And only I walk woodland paths
and see ahead of me,
your small form racing with the wind
so young again, and free.
And only I can see you swim
in every brook I pass
and when I call, no one but I
can see the bending grass.

Author Unknown

In memory of Max ...

I THOUGHT OF YOU WITH LOVE TODAY

Sunlight streams through window pane
unto a spot on the floor....
then I remember,
it's where you used to lie, but now you are no more.

Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,
and muted echoes sound....
then I remember,
It's where your paws would joyously abound.

A voice is heard along the road,
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can't be yours....
your golden voice is still.

But I'll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.

I'll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above.

Author Unknown

In memory of Gibson ...

IF I COULD

If I could catch a rainbow
I would do it just for you
And share with you its beauty
On the days you're feeling blue.

If I could build a mountain
You could call your very own
A place to find serenity
A place to be alone.

If I could take your troubles
I would toss them in the sea
But all these things I'm finding
Are impossible for me.

I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair
But let me be what I know best:
A friend that's always there.

Author Unknown

In memory of Cooper ...

How it is that animals understand things I do not know, but it is certain that they do understand. Perhaps there is a language which is not made of words and everything in the world understands it. Perhaps there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak, without even making a sound, to another soul.

 Frances Hodgson Burnett

In memory of Jena ...

Grief never ends, but it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay.
Grief is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith. It is the price of love.

Author Unknown

In memory of Max ...

AFTERGLOW

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

Author Unknown

In memory of Toby ...

HIS JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN

Don’t think of him as gone away
his journey’s just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.

And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.

Author Unknown

In memory of Bandit ...

IF I SHOULD GO TOMORROW

If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don’t you ever cry.
The love that’s deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You’ll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.

Author Unknown

In memory of Kobi ...

WHEN WE'RE NOT TOGETHER

If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together…
there is something you must always remember.
You are braver than you believe,
stronger than you seem,
and smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is,
even if we’re apart…
I’ll always be with you.

A. A. Milne

In memory of Ramses ...

MY LITTLE CAT GHOST

The years I've worn you,
warm upon my shoulder
have led us here --
surprised to find us older.

And there was nothing left
to do today
but hold you close
and help you on your way.

Be still, my little cat,
be well, be free.
I know you're somewhere new
and loving me.

Author Unknown

In memory of Bailey ...

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

When you walk through the storm
Hold your head up high,
And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone.
You’ll never walk alone.

Oscar Hammerstein

In memory of Mickey ...

WHAT WE HAVE ONCE ENJOYED

What we have once enjoyed
we can never lose;
All that we love deeply,
becomes a part of us.

Helen Keller

In memory of Shylo ...

When you are sad,
I will dry your tears.
When you are scared,
I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried,
I will give you hope.
When you are confused,
I will help you cope.
And when you are lost,
and can't see the light.
I will be your beacon
shinning ever so bright.
This is my oath.
I pledge to the end.
Why, you may ask?
Because you're my friend.

Author Unknown

In memory of Buddy ...

There are no goodbyes for us.  Wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts.

 Mahatma Ghandi

In memory of Lady ...

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt with the heart. 

Helen Keller

In memory of Maggie Mae ...

Those we have held in our arms for a little while, we hold in our hearts forever.

Author Unknown

In memory of Tex ...

I wrote your name in the sand,
But the waves washed it away.
I wrote your name in the sky,
But the wind blew it away.
So I wrote your name in my heart,
And that’s where it will stay, always.

Author Unknown

(A tribute to Tex can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ3bbg1gmPY)