A Gift Of Paws
by, Terri Onorato

In the silent Christmas morning
my heart begins to ache
as feelings from the day you left
dawn slowly with daybreak.

I say a prayer of grateful thanks
for the life that I've been blessed
and ask for strength so that I might
through pain find happiness.

God sent you as a present
though not received on Christmas day,
a gift of paws that reached down deep
and stole my heart away.

Tears are part of healing,
each one shed will ease the pain,
so that memories will come to mind
in a most dynamic, ardent way.

I doubt that you would want me
to spend this day in tears.
I know you'd rather see me smile
as from atop a cloud you peer.

Though a time or two I've lost my way
since the Keeper called you Home,
now faith restored by angel paws
will never come undone.

A loving aura fills the sky
as you rest on clouds of fleece,
and angels gently tuck you in,
may you sleep in heavenly peace.

SADIE HEATHER
12-2-1986 ~ 10-4-1993

SIMONE ALEXIS
12-25-1988 ~ 8-10-2001

This year's Christmas will be a sad one for me,
Both Sadie and Simone are now in heaven you see;

I had both my girls around since the year nineteen eighty six,
Without them now puts my emotions in a mix;

So instead of feeling really empty and sad,
I am making a dedication to my girls that turns sad into glad;

This mom knows that Sadie and Simone were quite classy,
But how could I scold them when they were very sassy;

The kids of our family knew the girls were fun,
But when mom watched the Packers, from the room they did run;

If there ever was a trip in the car into town I would go,
Asking Sadie and Simone to come along, they never said no;

The girl's favorite babysitters were always ready,
Staying at both grandparents house was continually steady;

Sadie surely missed the great adventures of Circle Lily,
But her jumping off of the family's dock was a dilly;

Simone on the other hand took over our cabin in the woods,
And hearing her rustling near by meant she was up to no good;

This mom's special love for her dogs goes very deep,
When I think of them both I try not to weep;

I had a bond with them that comes from the heart,
Even today with them gone it will never tear us apart;

There will never be another two like Sadie and Simone,
Their love and dedication to me was constantly shown;

Now they are in heaven running around and eating a treat,
Enjoying the precious memories forever will be sweet!!!!

I love you both with all my heart and soul...Forever from your Mom.

Mary Kay ,Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

SEBASTIAN
? ~ 12-1-2001

Sebastian was our first dog. We treated him like he was a member of the family like anyone else. He shared every fun and special moment with us. And, even the not so fun times. Sebastian's personality would light up the room. His charm was irresistible!

His favorite things were his bedtime snacks, the outdoors, and car rides. Sebastian did not particularly care for boat rides, for he was not a very good swimmer. With a little coaching from his human parents and his very own life jacket he turned out to be a pretty good little swimmer. Can you imagine, a dog that cannot swim? That is what we thought too!

Because of Sebastian, our next dog will be a Westie. We really enjoyed the fun loving, bigger than life personality. The detailed expressions and the irresistible charm that a Westie has to offer.

God, we really miss that little guy. We know that he is waiting on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, and he is with you, God. Until we meet again Sebastian, we love you!

Mariah, David and Family