Dedicated to the Dogs in our Lives
The Rainbow Bridge
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 and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carry him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend 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 together you and your special pet cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Author Unknown
Sam (the Stick Dog) 1976 - 1981
Sam was an Italian Greyhound, bred by the daughter of Anthony Horden. He was the runt of the litter & was going to be pts. My then husband, Warren, took pity on him & brought him home under his jacket....he was so tiny!! He had digestive problems & his growth was stunted. But he was a beautiful little dog & shared the early lives of our two children, who called him "The Stick Dog". Unfortunately, he strayed one wet night & was killed on the road. He has just recently (Jan 2012) been reunited with his Master, at the Rainbow Bridge.
Lowana (Lowy) 1981 - 1991
Lowy was possibly a spanial cross of age unknown. We were on a Sunday afternoon drive to Lowana & this lovely little black dog followed behind our car, begging us to stop & pick her up. She was in a sad state, covered in ticks & her fur was all matted. Of course we took her home. Not long after she surprised us by coming into season. We thought locking her in the horsefloat would be safe, but ...no. She climbed out & mated with the dog next door, "Struth". We managed to find homes for all her puppies & she shared our lives on the farm till she died of old age.
Sheena & Raz 1992 - 2005
For my 40th Birthday, Murray, bought me my first Border Collie pup, Daisy, who unfortunately died from a tick when only 5 months old. She was from a BYB & we went back to that breeder & bought Sheena & Raz, who were supposedly from working dog lines. Raz (front) was not a bit interested in work & spent most of his life, hanging around in the back of the ute & going surfing. He was plagued with health problems & we re-named him "The Million Dollar Dog" & I am sure that dog helped to pay for the extensions to the Vet's Surgery. He had a very gentle nature & shared his food & water bowls with tiny mice & frogs. He loved tiny critters, & would appear confused & sad if he put his big paw on one & it would stop breathing. Diagnosed with cancer @ 10, the vet suggested PTS. It was then that he became very attached to a little black chicken, the sole survivor of the incubator. He hardly ever left that little chicken's side & the one night that he slept alone, a carpet snake devoured his little mate. Raz was devastated !! We bred more chickens & Raz became the keeper of "all things chicken" & lived happily for almost another 3 years.
Sheena like her brother, Raz, came with her own set of health problems. From day 1, she "leaked" & her vet could never find an answer to it. But she was a super worker & at the age of 5 months could instinctively work cattle & had no fear of hanging off their tails or biting them on the nose if needed. I never knew BC's were so smart till this little dog entered my life. I swear she knew what we were thinking, feeling & saying & she could also "talk". One day, a rogue bull turned on her after she lost her footing & she decided there & then to quit her career. She became my "velcro" dog & there was no way she would let me go for my daily walk without her, but she hated being on the lead & at the sight of one she would vanish. Half way through my walk, there she would be, happy as larry, free ranging behind me.
The cancer finally got Raz & he was PTS @ twelve. About 6 months later Sheena's health went down hill fast. 
She went blind, deaf, lost all control of her bladder & developed dementia. She didn't recognise me & would run off if I came near her. She still loved to swim in the dam & we tied a floatie to her back in case she decided to go swimming & wouldn't be able to find her way back to the shore. It broke my heart & we decided it was time to say "goodbye". We arranged for the vet to come to the farm so she could be PTS at home. I went for my usual walk that day, leaving her behind. Something made me turn around to see a large dingo trotting out of the driveway...he'd been to visit Sheena. Was it the "Angel Dog" leading her away...I don't know. When I came back from my walk, she wouldn't even look at me. Instead, she up & trotted out the gate either following the smell of the dingo or taking herself for one last walk up our favourite trail. She never came back...we searched for days & finally concluded that she had followed the dingo & gone away to die. A fortnight later, a neighbour found her hiding in a shed & brought her home. She was my "soul mate" & I am sure she waits for me at the Rainbow Bridge. At least two years went past before we could even think about getting another puppy & this time we staid well clear of BYB's & Bindi came into our lives.
Maisie 2005 - 2009
Maisie was not really our dog but spent a lot of time living with us on the farm & was Bindi's mate. She was a Labrador X Border Collie, bred in Tamworth & belonged to our daughter, Emma. We took her to Agility Training & she showed some potential. The only trial she went in was a Mock Trial...I lined her up & said "OK"....she flew around the outside of the course & straight back to her Mum. Maisie loved her food & how we managed to retain our fingers while delivering treats, I will never know. We often think of Maisie & wonder how she would have worked out in her agility career. Unfortunately, she collapsed & died suddenly just before Christmas 2009 for reasons unknown. She was only four years old :(
Till We Meet Again -Author Unknown
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here." I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me. I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more. I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there. I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me." You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there. It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away." You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew... In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you. The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning." And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side. I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me. Author ~ unknown