Smile tho' your heart is aching, smile even though its breaking

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...

Smile

tho'

your heart is aching,

Smile

Even though it's breaking,

When there are clouds in the sky- You'll get by,

If you

Smile through your fear and sorrow,

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through- For you.

Light up your face with gladness,

Hide ev'ry trace of sadness,

Altho' a tear may be ever so near,

That's the time you must keep on trying,

Smile- What's the use of crying,

You'll find that life is still worthwhile,

If you just smile.

   O Lord our God, we come before You this day in sadness.  Rudy, who brought us so much joy in life, has now died.   Her happy times in our family’s embrace have come to an end.  We miss Rudy already.

            Help us, O God, to remember the good times with Rudy.  Remind us to rejoice in the happy times she brought to our home.  Let us be thankful for the good life we were blessed to give to her. 

            We are grateful to You, God, for creating Rudy, for entrusting her to our care, and for sustaining her in our love for a measure of time.   We understand that all that lives must die.   We knew that this day would come.  And yet, O God, we would have wanted one more day of play, one more evening of love with Rudy.

            O God, as we have taken care of Rudy in life, we ask that You watch over her in death. You entrusted Rudy to our care; now, we give her back to You.  May Rudy find a happy new home in Your loving embrace.

            As we remember Rudy, may we love each other more dearly.   May we care for all Your creatures, for every living thing, as we protected the blessed life of Rudy. May her memory bless our lives with love and caring forever.  Amen.

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. ~ Chinese Proverb

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. "

(Anatole France)