Hi All! It has been a rough week for me. I came over to the mainland (Australia) from the island where I live on Monday, prior to flying south to Sydney the next day. Monday night I got a phone call from my housemate. My dog had drowned in the swimming pool. A duck had flown in and he chased it and caught it in the pool and couldn't get out. He just turned 7 and was having a great time going for walks, with me leading him from my mobility scooter. So sad! My youngest was really cut up as he arrived in Australia the same day as our dog was born and he meant a great deal to him. I caught up with my son and daughter and her partner for dinner last night. That was great, but we were all feeling sad about the loss of our pet.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as tomorrow I am driving a truck, with the rest of my belongings in it, from Sydney to Brisbane. I don't know how I'll do it, but sometimes you just have to do what has to be done! I'm on painkillers that don't mess with my head too much and the magnesium has helped lessen the pain, too, so I'm hoping I'll be ok. It's a 12 hour trip and last time my older son drove. If I have to, I'll stop for the night night part way through. At least the kids packed it and my son and daughter-in-law will unpack in Brisbane. Some extra support will be really appreciated, in the form of your prayers! Last time I was in a truck like this my dog was with us too. He was so well behaved. I'll miss him!

I was sent this poem today and I thought it great to share with you. Hope you like it! Love & Light!

As I was walking
down life's highway
many years ago
I came upon a
sign that read

Heavens Grocery Store.

When I got a
little closer

the doors swung
open wide


And when I came
to myself

I was standing
inside.

I saw a host of
angels.

They were
standing everywhere

One handed me a
basket

and said "My
child shop with care."

Everything a
human needed

was in that
grocery store

And what you
could not carry

you could come
back for more

First I got some
Patience.

Love was in that
same row.

Further down was
Understanding,

you need that
everywhere you go.

I got a box or
two of Wisdom

and Faith a bag
or two.

And Charity of
course

I would need some
of that too.

I couldn't miss
the Holy Ghost

It was all over
the place.

And then some
Strength

and Courage to
help me run this race.

My basket was
getting full

but I remembered
I needed Grace,

And then I chose
Salvation for

Salvation was for
free

I tried to get
enough of that to do

for you and me.

Then I started to
the counter

to pay my grocery
bill,

For I thought I
had everything

to do the Masters
will.

As I went up the
aisle

I saw Prayer and
put that in,

For I knew when I
stepped outside

I would run into
sin.

Peace and Joy
were plentiful,

the last things
on the shelf.

Song and Praise
were hanging near

so I just helped
myself.

Then I said to
the angel

"Now how much do
I owe?"

He smiled and
said

"Just take them
everywhere you go."

Again I asked
"Really now,

How much do I
owe?"

"My child" he
said, "God paid your bill

a long long time
ago."



This poem has
been sent to you

with love and for
good luck.

It originated in
the Netherlands

Oh OZ!!

I am so sooryy!!! That is a terrible ordeal. pets are like our family...its been 2 years since Lucy died and sometimes the pain still comes back...but oz in time you will learn the remember the great times with your doggy...try and think of that...my prayers are with you, even at a time like this we need prayers...animals are friends!!!

That was a beautiful poem, im gonna copy it and send it to a couple of friends.

luv
annie

Ozzie,
I hurt for you. A pet becomes one of the family,
they are like a child to us. I still miss my sugar.
Your poem was beautiful. My prays will be with you as
travel. They are always with you Oz. Plwase lets us
know when you are back Brisbane.
May all angels be with you

Hey Oz. Have been thinking of you and had planned on calling this morning (your evening). It was too late though, by the time I was awake enough. Just as well I didn't wake your housemate with you not even being there! Is QLD on the same time as NSW? If I remember right, they don't do daylight saving do they?

That's sad news about your dog Oz. It sounds like he'd settled in so well to island life with you. :|

I pray you'll have a safe and easy drive tomorrow. Hopefully the roads won't be so busy with it being a public holiday. I'm glad you've thought about the option of stopping over somewhere too. It's a long drive even when you're healthy and sharing the driving! I loved driving north along the coast. It's so very beautiful isn't it.

Take care matey. Hopefully we can catch up next week.

Love and lamingtons,
K x

Happy Australia Day for the 26th!

You have my deepest sympathy. Loosing a dog is like loosing a person. You
spent so much time with the dog that you loved him. Why not? He gave only
love in return.
I have many friends who have lost dogs and it's always very sad.
When my horse, Asdar, died of colic, my partner and I were very upset about
it. Although you can't have the interaction with a horse that you can with a
dog, it was a big loss to us. So it goes.
I think the way to try to handle it, is to reflect on the good times and
pleasure you had with your dog.
Time is the great healer

A Place Called Rainbow Ridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to
someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are
meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can
run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and
sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to
health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made
whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our
dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and
content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone
very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all
run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are
intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run
from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs
carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special
friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion,
never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your
face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look
once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone
from your life but never absent from your heart
Then, you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author Unknown

I'm so very sorry my friend. It saddens my heart because I know how much love animals bring into our lives. You know how much Annie and Sierra has kept me fighting. Annie came after our beloved Rottie died and she kept me sane.

When I was told Sierra had cancer you all felt and prayed with me. Now you have my sincere prayers and my tears for your loss.

I know the hole in your heart this has left.

Love and gentle hugs my friend. Tammy

Thanks All for your love & support! Lori, I love your story of Rainbow Bridge! When I flew down to Sydney I was looking down at the clouds and kept seeing my dog in them - made me cry but that was good because I just couldn't cry for a start. My youngest just sobbed and sobbed his heart out. I'll find it hard going back home to the island tomorrow. I have to put his things away and I'm sure it will sink in then that he has gone. When I was driving up here yesterday I kept remembering the places we had stopped along the way in December, and how good he was. Just writing this is good because the tears are flowing - I've been bottling my feelings up because I've just had to concentrate on what has had to be done. Please excuse speling mistakes as I can't quite see clearly.

The trip back here went better than expected. Took 14 hours, with lots of stops along the way. At one stage I was so tired I was going to stop for the night but I got my 2nd wind and kept going. Got here at 7.30pm and went straight to bed. Didn't wake up ubtil 7am today -absolutely exhausted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My older son and a couple of his friends packed most into a storage unit for me and I packed my car with stuff to take to the island. There is room for me - just! So my big move is done & I even surprised myself at what I accomplished! I have much more hoe now of being able to get and keep a job. Will keep you posted on that front.

Thanks again for all your support. Tammy ^ Annie I knew you'd both understand about how hard the loss of my dog is - do you still have the photo of him I sent you? Kituk, I'll be home Sunday afternoon. Thanks for the best wishes for Australia DAy! So many people had Aussie flag stick on tattoos and green & yellow painted faces ^ lots of cars with flags flying - and yes, it was pretty good on the road! sO GOOD DRIVING AN AUTO AND THE TRUCK IS SO MUCH EASIER THAN A CAR!

lOVE & lIGHT!

Ozzie,
So glad to hear that all is going well with the move. I know that the had part is still ahead of you. I pray that you can feel all the love and surport that we are sending your way. Wish I could be there to help you. Please keep us informed on how things go.

Oz-
I cant even imagine what you are going thru right now with the loss of your dog. I am so sorry to hear what happened. Gosh I look at my dogs and I dont know what I would do if something happened to them.. They are truly our 'kids'. And they are so darn spoiled LOL They really do become part of the family.
It will take some time but maybe someday you will find it in your heart to get another dog to bring you unconditional love and affection. Its hard to think about now, how can any dog replace the one you lost?
I know this is kind of morbid, but I always tell my hubby that if our dog Jimmy dies, I want to get her stuffed so she can always be with us. He thinks thats disgusting. LOL

I hope this post finds you well. It sounds like you have been so busy!! Which might be good at this time.

marisa

Hi

i sure do have the picture!!! I remeber we have the same dinette set!!! It still bothers me about our dogter, Lucy, aka mama's girl...its been 2 years now, the story about rainbow ridge, i have to believe that is true...sometimes i still think of lucy, she was my best friend for many years...i bet your dog is playing with lucy as we speak...here is a picture of your dog you sent me...i hope you dont mind but i wanted it to be tribute to your dog...



a tribute to a very well loved friend who will be missed around the world, love from your friend annie.

Awwwwe. What a cute babay!

How great it is that you were able to put hands right on the picture of Ozzies baby.
How about we all put up pictures of our pets that gone but not forgotten.

sounds great, heres my lucy aka mama's girl


she owned the house, lol.

they are still with us, but i still had to share

The black lab is Ruger and the blue eyed girl is Jimmy. She is half alaskan malamute and half german shorthair.. (She is the love of my life) Dont tell Ruger that.

This is my granddaughter with sugarpie. She has been gone 21 months now and is still greatly missed. She was born in this house and was the best behaved dog I had ever had.

The photos are great! Thanks so much, Annie, for posting Shades photo! I've been crying bucketloads since I got on the car ferry to come back to the island. One good thing is that, for the moment anyway, my internet connection is working! Wouldn't last night! Love & Light!