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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver.
Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Author Unknown

Here lies one that possesses beauty without Vanity
Strength without insolence
Courage without Ferocity
and
All the virtues of man without his vices.
RIP
Phoenix

About 6 years I had a call from the East Side Pound in Mesa, AZ, when the message was that they had a Saint in, but that they were going to HAVE TO PUT HIM DOWN AS HE'D LUNGED at 7 of their personnel. I said, just let me run down and spend a few minutes with him first, and they agreed! So, in getting there, I could see he was in tremendous pain. His face had the top layers of skin TORN OFF, and his posture was such that of a very abused dog................... I asked them to allow me to go into the kennel and sit with him, and they refused due to what had already transpired............. So, I asked them to UNLOCK the gate and LEAVE and that I would go in "when nobody was there to supervise me, at my own risk". So, against all of their rules and regulations, that's what we did! I spoke to him, by squatting down, and taking myself to his level, I put my hand to the cage in a low position, so's NOT to appear to be swinging it at him in a threatening manner, he approached.............I shared with him that IF HE HAS BEEN SO ABUSED THAT HE WANTS TO "CROSS OVER", THAT I WILL UNDERSTAND AND ALLOW THAT. BUT, THAT IF HE WANTS TO GIVE ONE MORE HUMAN A CHANCE, I WILL PROMISE HIM THAT HE WILL NEVER AGAIN KNOW THE MISERY THAT HE HAD................... He thought for a moment, and approached the front of the kennel, and I opened the door, put slip lead CAREFULLY over his head, as to NOT TOUCH his injuries, and we walked out to the parking lot with NO ISSUES! The workers all watched in amazement, as they'd been prodding him with the catchpole, and it's NO WONDER he was trying to get them AWAY from all the injuries he had! In returning to my home, I immediately put him into isolation from others, and any people, and started him on antibiotics. I waited a day, then start treating the wounds, and MASSIVE EAR INFECTIONS. He responded like you have no idea.....................he would roll on his back, the moment I went to him. So I'd just lay on the carpeted floor with him and just snuggle with him for 30 minutes. He'd crawl ONTO ME as if to say, THANK YOU THANK YOU! Now, he still did NOT trust others, AT ALL, But, he trusted me and that's all I asked of him at that time. Shortly thereafter, he accepted my boyfriend Jeff, then we were the only two he'd TRUST for a while.................. Next, I needed to have him neutered, so's to take away any influence that testosterone was having on his dealings with life. So, my Vet agreed to neuter him AFTER HOURS, and just do the neuter with her and I there, me assisting her, and me Ace'ing him before getting to her office. Again, the neuter went fine and he NEVER made ONE move towards her. The rehab continued, out at my place with him eventually being put with other dogs (which, was NEVER an issue, ONLY HUMANS HAD BEEN MEAN TO HIM), so once he was running with other dogs, he could LEARN TRUST and LEARN HOW TO SEE and ACCEPT LOVE from others. That was really the turning point for him to have JUDGEMENT again, and to OBSERVE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR through watching the others. He was the most PERFECT DOG anyone could ever ask for. So sweet, loving, amazingly well behaved, and NEVER ONE INCIDENT or COMPLAINT from him..........................But I never asked of him to do anything that I didn't think he was READY for. You can't PUSH rehabilitation. He grew to be part of the "Sanctuary" group, as I call them. Those who are privy to my home, and will live out their life with me, as I could NEVER pass them on to someone else knowing what they'd done, their health condition or OLD AGE they are.................the UNadoptables, basicly. He would ROOO ROOO ROOOOOOOOOOOOOO me, constantly. Always a kind word from him, always a GOOD MORNING and always, KISSES of love and appreciation......................WHAT A BOY! I have waited nearly a year, to put this in writing, as it about KILLED ME when I had to put him down, due to his BONE CANCER............... I allowed him to flourish with it for 6 months, until I saw him holding up that one leg, and I KNEW that it was time for my final gift to him....................He spent his last week in my bed, sleeping RIGHT NEXT TO ME, and one night we sat and watched THE TITANTIC together.................and bawled a river................ He's one of those dogs that you just want to LIVE ON FOREVER........... Please know, Tanner is MISSED HERE on a DAILY basis, and is frequently reminded by the song from Rascal Flats, "MY WISH". If you've never heard it, TAKE THE TIME TO DO SO, we should ALL LIVE BY IT! May this FABULOUS, BEAUTIFUL and FORGIVING SAINT, LIVE ON IN THE PEACE HE KNEW WHEN LIVING HERE and not what he knew before then................................TANNER, I LOVE YOU! Come back!

Buster, who came to me with his sister and Mother, from Idaho. They were found huddled under a highway overpass, in the dead of winter, one of the puppies already dead. The Shelter told me they were Saint Bernard mixes, and would I take them all, to keep them together for another month ( at least ) until they could get through such a trauma of being dumped. Of course, I agreed, and brought the whole gang down here, only to find out NONE of them were Saint Bernards at all............But, Angels in need of saving, none the less. Buster was the MOST popular with all who wanted to adopt him, but, anyone who showed any interest in him, he would just go HIDE until they left.............so, it was his CHOICE, and he wanted to live here with me................. I miss his SWEET and DEMURE nature..........never a mean bone in his body... I mean, just look at his angelic face.........................

Just a big ole wonderful guy.