This page is dedicated to all the little angels that I have had the pleasure to cross paths with in this lifetime and is a means of sharing articles, stories, pictures and inspirational things that I have received via email and other means and thought might be of interest to others. Enjoy!

Rainbow Bridge
by Paul C. Dahm

I am going to try and copy the story here, but for a maximum effect, please visit the link below! http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

HOW COULD YOU?
By Jim Willis 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics
and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite
a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw
pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad,"
you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" --
but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because
you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together.
I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening
to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that
life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks
and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only
got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said),
and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home
at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on
your career, and more time searching for a human mate.
I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks
and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions,
and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you
fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still
welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and
obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your
excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they
smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and
you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of
my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.
Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner
of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to
my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked
fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me
kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their
touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I
would have defended them with my life if need be. I would
sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret
dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in
the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a
dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and
told them stories about me. These past few years, you just
answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from
being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every
expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and
you and they
will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets.
You've made the right decision for your "family," but there
was a time when I was your only family. I was excited
about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter.
It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness.

You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find
a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a
pained look. They understand the realities facing a
middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as
he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!"
And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught
him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility,
and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye
pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to
take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to
meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew
about your upcoming move months ago and made no
attempt to find me another good home. They shook their
heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their
busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I
lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed
my pen, I rushed to the
front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind --
that this was all a bad dream ... or I hoped it would at least
be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I
realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention
of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far
corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end
of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a
separate room. A blissfully quiet room.

She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told
me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what
was to come, but there was also a sense of relief.
The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was
more concerned about her.

The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I
know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She
gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran
down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used
to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the
hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the
cool liquid coursing through my body,
I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured
" How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said
" I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it
was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where
I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend
for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from
this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried
to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?"
was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I
was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so
much loyalty.

The End

A note from the author:

If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it,
as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite
story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each
year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is
welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose,
as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.

Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in
newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards.
Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is
an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and
sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for
your animal is your responsibility and any local humane
society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice,
and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the
killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to
prevent unwanted animals.

PET SHOP PUPPY

I'm a little puppy, so cuddly, sweet and small

I live inside a cage, you see at a Pet Store in the mall.

I'm not an only puppy, my sisters are all here.

My brothers, too, except for Ralph who died coz he was scared.

It's lonely here at nighttime when all the lights go dark,

We tremble in our cages and we whimper and we bark.

But no one comes to hold us or pet our fears away.

We sit all night in terror til the store opens next day.

We don't remember mama, left so far behind.

she did the best she could for us til Man said "It is time."

He crammed us all in cages too small for us you see.

We rode for hours; we could not help but lay in poop and pee.

And now we sit in a Pet Store where kids come taunt and squeeze.

They do not hear our whimpers or understand our pleas.

We're miserable and it's scary here we all would rather die.

But since we don't we do our best to run away and hide.

I know you think my story too sad to leave me be.

You want to take me home with you, a happy little puppy.

But please, though it is fearful to live here against our will.

If you take me that leaves a spot another pup will fill.

You can stop our suffering but not by taking us home.

You must be strong and leave us here, unsold and all alone.

For if you do not take me, then another pup won't come.

And maybe he will not be shipped so far away from home.

Tho some of us may not survive the cycle 'ere it falls.

If we don't sell they will not need more puppies in these halls.

And if they need no puppies then the Man will not bring more.

Eventually it can all stop! You CAN close the door.

So when you see a puppy face so sad and sweet and small.

In a cage at a Pet Store at your neighborhood shopping mall.

The best thing you can do for him is leave him sitting there.

That is the best way you can tell all dogs how much you care.

Web author's note - While I agree with the meaning of this story, I do not apply it to stores such as Petsmart whose animals are not being sold for profit. The store in Paducah, KY, for instance, works with "Project Hope" a no-kill shelter out of Metropolis, IL. So this story would not apply in that case and you would not be benefiting any of the animals. This story is specific to pet shops that breed and sell specific breeds for profit, not those attempting to lend a helping hand. Please be careful how you interpret this. Thank you. Melissa

Please click to visit Project Hope Humane Society

Here's a little info about cats for you! Some of these details are widely known and some you may never have heard before!

Ever wonder what your cat's tail is telling you?

How well do you know the domestic cat? These cat questions will get you thinking but remember you don't have to know everything about cats to enjoy their company! Take Best-Cat-Art's cat quiz to find out and remember it is just for fun, enjoy it.

[1]Who declared the cat to be a "Diabolical Creature"?

[2]How many times a day does a kitten under twelve weeks need feeding?

[3]What is Nepeta Cataria more commonly known as?

[4]Which breed of cat is also often referred to as the swimming cat?

[5]Which breed of cat is also often referred to as the living room leopard?

[6]What is it that many owners report happens to their cats' coat after making the switch to premium cat food from low cost brands?

[7]Which breed of cat was once described as An unnatural, nightmare kind of cat?

[8]Which breed of cat has been described as having a coat "Quite unlike any other domestic breed, being more akin to the feel of a wildcat's pelt".?

[9]Is the presence of clear wax in your cat's ears is perfectly normal?

[10]What can it mean if your cat's ears are hot?

[11]Which large, fearsome, now extinct members of the cat family are also known as Smilodons?

[12]Why do cats need to scratch?

[13]Nearly all breeders of which cat breed, name their cats according to which year they are born?

[14]What did the Ancient Egyptians often decorate figurines of cats with?

[15]Which breed of cat is reputed to become limp and supple when you pick them up?

[16]Which breed of cat is said to possess a non fighting instinct?

[17]Which gene does all breeds of domestic cat carry?

[18]What was Mr. Owen Gould, the British consul-general, given as a parting gift by the King of Siam?

[19]Which foodstuff contains the compound theobromine, safe for humans, possibly deadly for cats?

[20]On which island was a jawbone of a cat, dated to 6000 BC, found?

How did you do? It doesn't really matter, the quiz was just for fun. To find out more click the links next to the answers.

[1]Who declared the cat to be a "Diabolical Creature"?

Pope Gregory IX declared the cat to be a "Diabolical Creature". History of the Cat

[2]How many times a day does a kitten under twelve weeks need feeding?

Kittens under twelve weeks need feeding four times daily, then up to six months the kitten needs to be fed three times a day.Kitten Care

[3]What is Nepeta Cataria more commonly known as?

Sow grass or catnip (Nepeta Cataria ) in a potting mixture every couple of weeks and your cat will always have a fresh supply. Outdoor Cats

[4]Which breed of cat is also often referred to as the swimming cat?

Known as Van Kedi in their native Turkey, the Turkish Van breed is also known as the Van Cat, the Turkish Cat and most usually as the swimming cat.. Turkish Van Cats

[5]Which breed of cat is also often referred to as the living room leopard?

It is the spotted coat pattern that most resembles the coat of the Asian Leopard Cat and has earned the Bengal breed the nickname "living room leopard" Bengal Cats

[6]What is it that many owners report happens to their cats' coat after making the switch to premium cat food from low cost brands?

Many owners report that the condition of their cats' coat has improved considerably, become glossier/silkier, after making the switch to premium cat food from low cost brands.Premium Cat Food

[7]Which breed of cat was once described as An unnatural, nightmare kind of cat?

Although most press reports of the time praised the charming new Siamese cats, one correspondent described them as "an unnatural, nightmare kind of cat".Siamese Cats

[8]Which breed of cat has been described as having a coat "Quite unlike any other domestic breed, being more akin to the feel of a wildcat's pelt".?

In fact the coat of the Bengal breed has been described as "Quite unlike any other domestic breed, being more akin to the feel of a wildcat's pelt".BengalCats

[9]Is the presence of clear wax in your cat's ears is perfectly normal?

The presence of clear wax in your cat's ears is perfectly normal, however deposits of crumbly, dark brown wax could be an indication of ear mites and treatment could be needed.Cat Health

[10]What can it mean if your cat's ears are hot?

If the ears are very hot, your cat may be running a temperature and it may be necessary to consult your veterinary ( be sure that this is not due to your cat lying in the sun or next to the fire.)Cat Health

[11]Which large, fearsome, now extinct members of the cat family are also known as Smilodons?

The best known of the cats of pre-history, is the saber toothed tiger (Smilodon).Cat history

[12]Why do cats need to scratch?

Cats need to scratch, it is something that cats instinctively do, not as you may think, in order to sharpen their claws, but to remove the old layers of their nails.Cat Scratching

[13]Nearly all breeders of which cat breed, name their cats according to which year they are born?

Nearly all breeders of Birmans name their cats according to which year they are born. Birman kittens born in 2004 will have a name starting with B, 2005 the names will start with C Birman Cats

[14]What did the Ancient Egyptians often decorate figurines of cats with?

Ancient Egyptians often decorated cat figurines with fabulous jewelry. Cat Figurines

[15]Which breed of cat is reputed to become limp and supple when you pick them up?

Pick up Ragdoll cats and they are reputed to become limp and supple, that is how they got their name. Ragdoll Cats

[16]Which breed of cat is said to possess a non fighting instinct?

Ragdoll cats are said to possess a non fighting instinct, in other words if they are attacked they do not fight back to defend themselves. Ragdoll Cats

[17]Which gene do all breeds of domestic cat carry?

All breeds of domestic cat carry the tabby gene. Our feline friends that we know and love as house cats, originated from the African wild cat (see cat history.) These wildcats had similar markings to those we see on tabby cats, an effective form of camouflage. Tabby Cats

[18]What was Mr. Owen Gould, the British consul-general, given as a parting gift by the King of Siam?

In 1884 Mr. Owen Gould the British consul-general, was given a pair of Siamese cats as a parting gift by the King of Siam - King Chulalongkorn, the son of the king featured in the musical The King and I. Siamese Cats

[19]Which foodstuff contains the compound theobromine, safe for humans, possibly deadly for cats?

Chocolate contains the compound theobromine which is a diuretic as well as a cardiac stimulant. This can cause the pet's heart rate to increase or it may cause the heart to beat irregularly, both of which can be dangerous to the animal. Cats and Chocolate

[20]On which island was a jawbone of a cat, dated to 6000 BC, found?

A cat's jawbone that has been dated to 6000 BC was uncovered on the island of Cyprus, and as cats are not indigenous to the island, it points to cats arriving on the island along with the first human colonists. Cat History

Website Design by Melissa Tabor