Loss of a Pet Quotes

My dear friend Anna sent me an e-mail in the wee hours of the morning today which I read at a much more civilized hour — after Tara and I had had our walk and breakfast. I certainly appreciated her thinking of me and also felt gratitude for the internet which allows us to connect without disturbing another’s sleep. 🙂 In Anna’s e-mail, along with much love and heart felt feelings about my picking up Maggie’s ashes, was a wonderful quote by Irving Townsend from his short story The Once Again Prince. I had not read it before and while it certainly made me cry, it also made me feel better as I was able to release some of my grief. So I’d like to share it with you in the hope that it will do the same for you as you go along your own grief journey. 

We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Yet, we still would live no other way.

Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way.

We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan…. Irving Townsend, in The Once Again Prince

Of course this started me on a “search” for other quotes that I wanted to share. Here are only a few of what I have found. I will add more shortly. They struck a very strong cord in my heart as I related to the meaning and heart felt messages contained within them.

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done,

For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.

Don’t let your grief then stay your hand.

For this day, more than all the rest,

Your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years.

What is to come can hold no fears.

You’d not want me to suffer so;

The time has come — please let me go.

Take me where my need they’ll tend,

And please stay with me till the end.

Hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see

The kindness that you did for me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Please do not grieve — it must be you

Who had this painful thing to do.

We’ve been so close, we two, these years;

Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.

Anonymous

If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane,

I’d walk the path to Heaven and bring you back again.

Author Unknown

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

Old Dog In A Locket

Old dog in a locket That lies next to my heart

I will always love you As I did right from the start

You were right beside me Through the darkest of my days

It was your kind and gentle nature That made me want to stay

Now I hold you in my arms Your breath still warm against my hand

Our hearts still beat together And I wonder if you understand

Through the hours that I held you Before the light did leave your soul

I knew a way to keep you Forever in my hold

I snipped the hair from around your eyes So I would always see

The beauty that surrounds me Even in times of need

I snipped the hair from around your ears So I would always hear

Music in the distance To quiet any fears

I snipped the hair from across your back

To bring me strength in time of need

And the power of your essence Would always be with me

I snipped the hair from around your heart That beat in time with mine

So I would know that love would find me At some distant time

And so, your life slipped out of mine On a quiet spring like day

But I knew that a part of you Old dog in a locket

That lays next to my heart I will always love you

Even though we had to part

Author unknown

She Is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone

or you can smile because she lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back

or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and lose your mind,

be empty and turn your back

or you can do what she’d want:

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Author Unknown