tribute

THE MONDAY CANDLE CEREMONY
WE GATHER TOGETHER TO HONOR AND REMEMBER OUR PETS

Tonight, Monday, we join hands, hearts and souls across the land as one large extended family to pray for our sick and dying pets and to pay tribute to our furbabies who have gone ahead to Rainbow Bridge. Someday, we will meet them again, with hugs, tears and kisses, as we walk together, in eternity, to our new home. Until that blessed day, we honor these precious souls and remember them with the warm glow of flickering candles, sending a message of love, light and healing, and the faith to believe in miracles.

PRAYER:
God, Creator of all living things, we ask that as we light our candles, the healing warmth of love will flow into the brokenhearted who are tending their ailing pets. Give to them Your strength and comfort. We also pray that the soft glow of light will part the clouds of grief and sorrow to surround our furbabies at the Bridge.
May excitement REIGN SUPREME as wagging tails, ecstatic purrs and flapping feathers feel our gentle touch once again. May they know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for their faithfulness and gift of unconditional love as they are forever remembered. We are temporarily separated for only a short while.
The silver cord that connects us through time and space can never be broken. AMEN.

CANDLE 1: PERSONAL FURBABY. Anything you wish to say.

I will not look back for there is sorrow.
I will not look for today for there is longing.
I will look forward for there is OUR tomorrow.

CANDLE 2: FURBABIES OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Read the names of those who are ill or have gone on before us as a tribute to them and their loving parents.
As we all meet here, our Bridgekids will be meeting all newcomers, easing their way.

CANDLE 3: FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND PEACE

In honor of all the homeless, forgotten, abandoned, abused animals.
For the nameless furchildren who gave their lives for others, for research and as a result of humankind's inhumanity.
May the Higher Powers that be forgive the cruelty.
We light this candle for them.
As our lights shine brightly through the galaxy, may the angels smile upon us, and know that for a brief moment, we have put aside worldly differences to bond as ONE.

CLOSING:
I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain, not because I did not love you, but because I loved you too much to force you to stay.

MOMENT OF SILENCE.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they will be comforted." Love, light and healing to all. Amen.

The candles being lit tonight; Cast a soft and welcome flame. And draw our loved ones to the light, As we call to them by name. Imagine spirits taking flight,
For a moment our souls entwine. Say not Good Night, but in some Brighter Time Bid them all- Good Morning.
Author Unknown

Tribute:
To Beloved Familiars
That Have Crossed
Over Before Us

Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge...

Just this side of heaven is a place called the
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 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 have 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.
Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, she begins to run
from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her 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...
-- Anon. --

Poem For Cats

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.

But don't they understand? asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.

Author Unknown

Poem for Dog Lovers

Hello. I've been expecting you for quite some time.
Here, come sit beside us for awhile .
and let me tell you about this old friend of mine.
She might look tattered or maybe old
But I won't say goodbye until you've been told.
She had the brightest eyes I had ever seen,
And wore a beautiful fur coat that would out shine a queen .
She was never prissy but walked with an aire ......
And oh so polite, you could take her most anywhere.
She could run like the wind and could catch anything she chased
But she protected and sat with me when I had problems to face.
You could not find a friend nearly so dear.
Because no matter the trouble she always stayed near...
She has never asked for much from me;
Just to love and respect her and I think you'll agree .
To give her a good meal plus a nice warm bed is not much to ask ;
When she has given me all her love and to her this was no task.
Now I understand you have a schedule to keep.
But I have a small favor before she nods off to sleep.
Please fold your wings around her and let her feel young while in no pain ;
Dear Guardian Angel of Pets ,
please keep her safe and happy until I see her again.

Ginger Patton