In Memoriam
In a perfect world, this page would not be necessary. Our lovers, like ourselves, would live forever. But in the real world, mortality is something we all must face, and those of us in love with animals face it more often, and often more cruelly, than any non-zoo can really know or understand. The average human lives 75 years, so it is not unusual for two human lovers to grow old together and pass away within a few years of each other. But the lives of animals are terribly short by comparison: a horse we knew as a foal may not be with us in twenty years; a dog or cat may grace our lives no longer than a decade. When we express our remorse at the loss of a pet/lover, the reaction from the public can often be, "it's just an animal." Perhaps. But in our hearts, they are much more, and our love for them cries out to be reconciled.
This page is for them, for us, and for all who need to know.
If you have lost a beloved animal, you are welcome to submit a memorial, tribute, or eulogy. You can send the text to me at <[email protected]>. I reserve the right to correct spelling and obvious grammar problems, but if I do any editing at all, I will send you a copy for approval before posting it here. If you want to include a picture, feel free.
Stasya and Xerxes have created memorial pages as well; feel free to contribute your thoughts to either or all of these sites. The URLs for those are on my Zoo Pages list. Also, for the mother of all pet memorial pages, visit Meggie O'Brien and Kathie Maffitt's Rainbow Bridge Tribute Pages, which were reviewed in a recent issue of Time Digital. Just make sure you have a box of hankies nearby.
"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 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 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. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away 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
"To My Black Ribbon Dog"
-- by Mildred Drost; submitted by Huskie
The next time I see him,
His pain will be gone,
His eyes won't be foggy and dim.
The next time I see him,
Old Age will be gone,
But I know that I'll recognize him.
The next time I hear him,
His voice will be strong,
His bark won't be reedy and thin.
The next time I see him,
Old Age will be gone,
But I know that I'll recognize him.
The next time I call him
My dog will be gone.
His chance for survival is slim,
The last time I saw him,
My dog's life was gone
But he waits for me up there with Him.
"Moose"
Knightwolf's beautiful Great Dane, Moose, passed away in September 2000, after eleven happy years. His memorial page is at http://www.wwpc2000.com/moose/.
"J," beloved cat of Actaeon: 1973-1990
"J" (not her real name) was the first cat I ever really got to know. Like most cats, she was very affectionate; her favorite place to nap was a human chest or lap, and I would often wake to find her sleeping on my bed. I was, from time to time, intimate with her, but having been fixed, she only tolerated it on occasion and showed no real interest. She was, in effect, the first animal with whom I had relations of a zoophilic sort. I will always remember her for having the loudest purr of any cat I've ever known. She lived almost 17 years, which for a cat is pretty good, and passed away in February 1990 of unknown causes. Her last memory of me is probably when I put her out the previous night; she always resisted going outdoors, especially when it was cold. I hope she's forgiven me.
"L," dogfriend of Actaeon: 198?-1995
"L" (not his real name) was an intact male collie with whom I was occasionally intimate. He belonged to a neighbor, and he would often follow me home when I passed by his house. He was the first dog on whom I performed oral sex, and it was while I was with "L" that I first learned what I was doing, for I had just found the Forest and ASB. Specifically, I learned a dog's knot should be outside the sheath and not inside, lest it swell painfully within the sheath during erection. "L" had always been interested in my affections, but once I learned how to pleasure him properly, his level of excitement was markedly improved, and there was no doubt he enjoyed our secret meetings. "L" was an old dog when I first met him, and as the years went by, he became slower and more lethargic. One day in 1995, he finally grew too immobile, and was put to sleep. It may well be that in his later years, the pleasure we gave each other took both our minds off his condition.
"Ben," dogfriend of JustMe: 1982?-1996
This memorial is for Ben, my yellow lab. He passed away in his sleep this past June. I know he was getting on in years, he was probably 14 or so. I didn't know him as a puppy, I didn't meet him until he was 4 or 5. The night Ben came home with me, he was scared and nervous because he had left his previous family. I spent the night curled up with him spoon fashion on the living room floor. After nursing him through that trauma it was clear that we were Buds. :) There was no doubt in anyone's mind that I was his person. :) I have been an active zoo for 20 or more of my 35 years, and shortly after Ben and I became friends, we became intimate. He was a love and a lover. A constant source of friendship and support. He was also the sweetest darn oaf of a Lab I've ever met. I am sad to have lost him, but happy that he didn't have to feel the prick of the needle. I often think I hear him padding through the house keeping an eye on us all, and I feel better knowing that he is there. Sweet Dreams, Ben, I'll see you again some day....
"Bubba," dogfriend of CalZoo: 199?-1996
To Bubba, the Dane of CalZoo,
Our fond memories quickly flew.
Up over the ridge
He has found Rainbow Bridge,
On the hillside that Molly once knew.
(limerick by Actaeon)
"Gabby," dogfriend of CalZoo: 1984?-1997
Dear Gabby, we fondly recall
The slobber that covered us all
We ducked when we saw
The shake of your jaw
But we'll miss it, you lovable doll.
(limerick by Actaeon)
"Farquar," dogfriend of Dogdude: 1995-1997
Farquar 1995-1997
My dear boy,
for you tried so hard to please
now you are in a safe place where
only kind people will be with you,
I never knew what your puppyhood was,
but I suspect it was not nice.
I treated you with all the love I had
and you did what you thought was best.
In the long run I had to make a choice,
I held you as you passed
to a better place, You I will never
see again for I will never be crossing
the rainbow bridge to you.
Farquar I love you!
"Aarahk," beloved dogfriend of Aarahk T. Wolf: 1992-1995
I received this memorial, called "Aarahk's Tribute", from Aarahk T. Wolf on 8/23/97. It is dedicated to a dog who was unjustly taken from his owner. It's a sad read, but worth it.
"Kitten," beloved mare of Steed
I received this beautifully-written memorial, "Kitten and the Harvest Moon", on 9/5/97.
"Toby," beloved dogfriend of Nick
I received Toby's memorial on 11/13/97.
"Rocky," beloved dogfriend of Tim
I received Rocky's memorial on 12/8/97.
"Blackie," beloved cat of Rex
I received Blackie's memorial on 1/8/98.
Index -- Updated Monday, November 6, 2000 -- E-mail Actaeon