| Location | Hampshire |
| Age | 14 years |
| Date of Birth | 01/10/1994 |
| Date of Death | 14/03/2009 |
| Visitors | 836 since 21/03/2009 |
| Creator |
Sammy was a German shepherd cross rough collie rescue dog who I bought in 1997 with a small lottery win. He was born in 1994 and had been taken away from his owners at the age of 18 months as he'd been starved and beaten by them. He was a very frightened dog as you can imagine. When I first saw him, he was cowering in a chewed up old plastic dog bed that didn't even have a blanket in it, at the end of his run. I spoke to the kennel owner about him and she told me he had been at the kennels longer than any other dog there, everyone passed him by. All the other dogs would run up to the fences barking and wagging their tails at visitors except for Sammy. He had been there for 18 months. He was very malnourished and sad. I was concerned about the running of this rescue centre as all of the dogs seemed underfed. (Some years later, the kennel owner was dismissed for bad treatment
of the dogs and spending all the funds on herself.)
Sammy was very quiet and subdued for a good few months, frightened of his own shadow. With a lot of TLC and patience, he became the best dog I had ever owned. He was obedient, kind natured and affectionate, loved playtime and long walks. He was always wary of strangers though and wouldn't accept treats or strokes from anyone he didn't know well.
About 6 months ago, his back legs slowly started to give way. I took him to the vet and he was given Metacam oral suspension painkiller, the vet said that his spine was causing the problem. Increasingly, he found it difficult to walk. Just before Christmas, he had got to the point where he struggled to get up off the floor and I thought that the time had come. But I was too selfish to part with him just then I suppose. I took him back to the vet and was assured that he wasn't in pain, so I kept on buying the medication, living in hope, but also knowing that the problem wouldn't go away. He was still enjoying his food though and even played as best he could, so he was having some quality of life. He was also very bright and perky and still had a 'young dog face'
It got to a point that he was really struggling and was literally pulling the back part of his body along by his front legs. On Saturday March 14th, 2009 I took him to the vet for his final journey. I gave him lots of treats in the early morning and he thoroughly enjoyed them, wagging his tail, still looking perky and happy not having a clue what was about to happen. He was in such a bad way physically it was a struggle to get him into the car and it took two of us, he was a big dog. When I arrived at the vets, I couldn't manage to get him out, so the vet came out to the car with her equipment. It really upset me when she said he had a strong, healthy heartbeat.
I have never known such a terrified dog as Sammy was when she started to give him the lethal injection. She couldn't get the needle in properly, blood was pouring out of his leg and he was crying in pain. It was one of the worst experiences in my life and I'm sure for Sammy's too. She eventually got the needle in and Sammy started to drift into unconsciousness. But, the vet hadn't brought enough barbiturate with her and had to go back into the surgery to get more. Another shot and it was goodbye to Sammy. I stroked and cuddled him until his heart stopped beating. My heart is breaking. He had a terrifying start to his life and a terrifying end and I feel like I've betrayed him, he didn't deserve to die, especially not in that way. I feel so guilty and can't accept that he's gone, the house feels quiet and empty.
β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯ β₯
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the 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
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
....{\......._____.....,
.....{*.\.....(*~*~*).../}
....{.~.*\....////^^\../~}
....{*....\..(((/.6.6./.*}
....{..*.~.\.)))c..=.)*..}
.....{*...*.////'_/~`.~.}
......{~.*.((((.`.`\.*}' ..:: β€
.......`{.~.)))`\.\))_.-:*:-
..........`{.(()..`\_.-'`.`:'
............`)/.`..|
.............(....\'
..............\....\
.........._ .__\...|
........|` `'...``Y;
........|./``-../../
........`'......|./
................/.`-._
................`-----* β`* β * β
Under The Clouds
βΈ Ferna Lary Mills
I'm fascinated these days
by clouds, you see,
as they scoot across the sky.
Do they look the same
From Heaven above,
as they appear to my mortal eye?
Do they look as white
compared to angels wings
as they seem to be down here?
Or are they dusty,
gray and dim?
Not as surreal as they appear?
In my thoughts I wonder
about many things
seen from an ethereal eye.
For maybe that's what
it really takes
to thoroughly understand "why".
Why does grief
seem to take so long
and why does it cause such pain?
Why does someone
have to die
in order to live again?
Maybe my grief
is like the clouds,
and one day the hurting will stop,
when I begin
to look at it,
not from below, but from the top!
I know that God
has an order for things
designed with His own pure love.
Tears, like raindrops,
are down below,
but the Sunshine is up above.
I Pledge To You.
To never take things for granted
Nor live my life in vain,
I know you wanted the best for me
You taught me to smile through the rain.
*♥* *♥*
We surely have a purpose
Although sometimes it just isn’t clear,
When you were taken away from me
The smiles just turned to tears.
*♥* *♥*
I know you are in a better place
Or so I am always told,
You deserve the very best, my angel
To stroll down streets of gold.
*♥* *♥*
I have so much to live for
There is beauty all around,
Your love and strength live on
And truly can be found…
…in the magic of a sunrise,
…the mystery of the moon
…in the raindrops that softly glisten,
…the songbird’s heavenly tune.
*♥* *♥*
There will be days that just overwhelm me
These, I will no longer dread,
Memories of old I shall draw on
We are linked by an unbreakable thread.
*♥* *♥*
I love you always and forever
These few words are used and worn,
But never will they be meaningless
I can’t wait to see you again, with the new dawn.
*♥* *♥*
βΈ Melanie Doe
♥ Grief never ends, but it changes.
♥ It’s a passage, not a place to stay,
♥ The sense of loss must give way, if we are to value the life that was lived,
♥ Grief is not a sign of weakness,
♥ Nor a lack of faith,
♥ It is the price of love…
(Anon)
♥ Borrowed Angels ♥
Sung by Kristin Chenoweth
They shine a little brighter, they feel a little more
They touch your life in ways no one has ever done before
They love a little stronger, they live to give their best
They make our lives so blest, so why do they go so soon?
The ones with souls so beautiful I heard someone say--
There must be Borrowed Angels, here in this life
They come along, into this world, and make this world bright
But they can't stay forever
Cause they're heaven sent
And sometimes, heaven needs them back again.
They reach a little deeper, they see what's in your soul
And even when they leave you know, you'll never let them go
The world's a little richer, just cause they came along
Their love goes on and on, so why do they go so soon?
The ones with souls so beautiful. I heard someone say--
There must be Borrowed Angels, here in this life
They come along, into this world, and make this world bright
They can't stay forever, cause they're heaven sent
And sometimes, heaven needs them back again.
How else can you explain why they're here and not here to stay?
I believe there must be, must be
Borrowed Angels, here in this life
They come along, into this world, and make this world bright
But they can't stay forever, cause they’re heaven sent
And sometimes heaven needs them back again.
And sometimes heaven needs them back again.
Kingdom In The Skies
Light a candle and remember me,
But not with teary eyes.
Raise your head upwards,
My kingdom is in the skies.
I am the warmth that touches you
On a sunny summer day,
I am the breeze that caresses you
From near and far away.
I draw you pictures in the clouds
So that you might know
I am at peace and watching you
On earth not far below.
Please open up your heart
So another creature may see
What it is to be loved
The way you loved me.
Bring out my old ball
My dishes and favorite toy;
Don't let them go to waste
They can bring so much joy.
And if you should need to talk
All you do is close your eyes,
Raise your head upwards
I'll be listening from the skies.
By: Carol Kufner
♥ My Gentle Soul ♥
by Sue Scheck
The time has come to close your eyes,
My sweet-faced little friend;
As angels gently lift you up,
Your journeys at its end.
You made us laugh,
You made us cry, as sickness took its toll,
Now it's time to rest in peace;
Good-night, my gentle soul.
•:*:• β •:*: •:*:• β •:*: •:*:• β •:*: •:*:• β •:*:
Rainbow
by Graham & Marion Newcombe-Withers
The sun is shining,
Rain is falling too,
Then suddenly colours appear,
A rainbow comes into view.
It's archway of many colours,
Is spirits healing ray,
And also the doorway to heaven,
Where spirits of animals play.
So when you see a rainbow,
Be happy and not sad,
Just think of all the fun and happiness,
You and your best friend had.
•:*:• β •:*: •:*:• β •:*: •:*:• β •:*: •:*:• β •:*:
β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»
Angel Of Christmas Cheer
I hear a flutter in the breeze
There is snow upon the ground
All the leaves have fallen
Not a single one to be found.
So it makes me ponder
On this lovely winter day
Could it be an angel?
In the snow at play?
I go ahead and build my snowman
I work with cheerful hands
Carrot nose and button eyes
To make him look so grand.
I think I hear a little giggle
A flutter in the breeze
I look up to see, who might be here
But it's, just my snowman and me.
With all this Yule time cheer
On my face I have a smile
Soon we will be singing songs
As we gather around the fire.
It's nearly time to go in
I'll soon be snug in bed
As I dream of sugar plums
Dancing in my head.
Now it's Christmas Morning
We gather around the tree
I look out the frost window
My eyes just can't believe!
A beautiful smile on my snowman
My hands could have never achieved
I walked the same snow prints
That I had made that very night.
Only one going to it, one coming back
As I look at the snowy base
I see a folded note;
Looking so mystified
With wonder on my face,
As I read the words
This is what it said,
"I enjoyed the wonderful evening
Seeing the joy your heart does hold,
But, there is more to this message
To you, that must be told.
Always remember...
The reason for this season
The night that Christ was born
All those that gathered
In the manger long ago.
Always remember His love and giving ways
Then you can have Christmas, every single day
And if you don't mind...
I would love to come next year
At the bottom was signed,
"Your Angel of Christmas Cheer"
© Brenda Conley ~ 2001
β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»β»
β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β
Summerlands
Just the other side of death's curtain are the Summerlands. All the pets who have died go through this curtain and though they can still watch us, we can't see them. Sometimes the curtain is thin in places and we catch a glimpse of our lost companion waiting on the other side. Sometimes the curtain twitches as they look through at us and we can feel them or feel a sudden draft as the curtain falls back into place. The Summerlands exist in the long, lazy late afternoons of an eternal golden summer of remembered childhood; the time when everything seems most alive and sweetest smelling. Our animals are young again and turned to perfect health. There is always space and time to play and love, places to be with others and places to be alone together. When our time comes, the curtain is lifted from our eyes and we can see the Summerlands ourselves. Waiting there for us are the animals and people we loved in life and we can see them clearly at last. The time has come for us to move away from the curtain and renew these interrupted friendships. Sometimes we can't help but take a peek through the curtain just to see how our own loved ones are doing before they come to join us.
Author Unknown
β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β * β
Rainbows appear only on dreary, rainy days.
They beautify the world for a few brief moments.
These moments, however, can be spectacular.
YOU were our brief rainbow.
You entered our life
And stayed but a short while.
Nonetheless, the memories of those moments
When you blessed us with laughter and delight,
Joy and smiles,
Charm and beauty,
Gaiety and silliness,
Sunlight and moonbeams,
Giggles and love (ad infinitum)...
Made the deluge,
The tears of pain and anger,
Helplessness and fear,
Insanity and agony,
Sadness and heartbreak,
Emptiness and loneliness
Bearable
Rainbows, however brief,
Make the world a brighter, lovelier place.
How grateful we are that we had you,
Our brief rainbow.
(Peggy Kociscin)
Using the options below you can add this memorial to your personal garden.
| I am Sammy's ... | |
| Add to Garden: | |
| Notifications: | Text Message |
There have been 85 candles lit for Sammy.
