My dear precious little Hannah,
I miss you so much. It's been so long since I've seen you my little "beauty queen." I wish I could go back to the times when we were together. I wish I could hold you and see you again. Six months and one week today -- sometimes I just can't believe it's been this long; other times, it seems an eternity since I've seen you.

I'm sorry I didn't get this posted on the anniversary date -- last Monday, October 19. It was not because I wasn't thinking about you or that I didn't miss you. I think about you all the time my sweet girl. I guess you know I have Maggie, the 8-year old Poodle I adopted about three months after you were gone. Maggie is a good, sweet little girl, and having her here makes me a little less lonely. She needed me, and I guess I needed her too. I told her when I got her that we both had lost someone we loved. No one could ever replace you, my one and only Hannah. I love, love, love you, and I miss, miss, miss you -- my best girl ever -- only one Hannah girl.

Everyone here is so sad. We miss you guys so very much. We hope and pray you are all young and happy again and getting to be good friends with each other too. I miss you buddy, and I will not be really happy until I see you again. This life is just not the same without you. My sweet Hannah love, my little tiny girlfriend. Here are a few poems in honor of you and our life together and for all of our friends here at LS.
I Love you Hannah, Love love, love you, always, my best girl in all the world -- always. My baby Hannah, my best friend, my tiny beautiful girl.
Ma
(That's Hannah in my avatar almost a year ago. Hannah would have been 16 years old on July 22. She was born in 1988. Hannah July 22, 1988 - April 19, 2004. Maybe some of you would like to see the tributes I made for Hannah. They are:
http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/personalr...on.asp?ID=41360
and
http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/personalc...le.asp?ID=40307 This one, click on the blinking star in the upper right hand corner)

Beyond the Rainbow
As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wonderous image then of a place that's trouble free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort, as healthy as could be!
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm all right
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.
'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart,
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.
......by Cathy Guyan

Dear Family,
I just wanted to let you know that I made it home
The journey wasn't an easy one, but it didn't take too long
Everything is so pretty here, so white, so fresh and new
I wish that you could close your eyes and that you could see it too
Please try not to be sad for me. Try to understand
God is taking care of me...I'm in the shelter of his hands
Here there is no sadness, no sorrow, and no pain
Here there is no crying and I'll never hurt again
Here it is so peaceful when all the angels sing
I really have to go for now... I've just got to try my wings.
--Unknown

Your Pet's In Heaven
To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.
I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.
Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.
We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.
By Ken D. Conover

Maybe You Will See Me
You may feel me when
one crystal raindrop touches your hand.
Maybe I am gently nudging you.
Maybe you will feel me.

You may see me when
the wind runs through the tall grasses.
Maybe I leave no footprints now.
Maybe you will see me.

You may hear me when
you dream, in your heart, in whispers.
Maybe I speak your language now.
Maybe you will hear me.

You may see me when
you look into eyes filled with love.
Maybe for a moment, I am there.
Maybe you will see me.
By Rosemary Babb.

Solace
From the silence of your pain I heard my name
and on the wings of light I have come
to see the sadness in your eyes
that cry without tears.

Can you see me, I am here
I will always be near you
to calm your shattered heart
and to make you smile at the memories.

Do you feel me, perhaps a soft brush of fur
You ache to believe it's real
but you are afraid to hope
You brush away a strand of hair
But it was I, whispering . . .

I am only here but for a moment
The silver thread gently quivers
I will leave behind my love in a dream
When you awaken, and without really knowing why

Your heart will know at last
That is is all right, for now
to say good-bye.
By Lisa Carmel Singer

Bless you all, my friends at Lightning Strike, new and old.
Baby Hannah's Mom and Babe's Mom

I'll bet your girl and my girl are great buddies now.

I don't think that the sadness will ever really go away. Until we see them again.

Thanks for posting. Keep in touch.

That was beautiful! I have tears streaming down my cheeks.
I know your litle girl and my little girl are happy and pain free now, but it still hurts so bad.
I really appreciate you sharing your other tribute pages too. They are beautiful. Is Hannah a puppy in that picture with the blinking star? She's so cute and so tiny!

Cheri

Thanks for taking the time, my old friend Steph and my new friend Cheri. No, Cheri, Hannah wasn't a pup -- she was about 6 years old then. She was a tiny little girl always, one time she got up to 8 pounds, but usually weighed about 7 pounds. She fit in the palm of my hand when I got her at about 8 weeks, and she weighed about one pound. She was a most precious tiny sweet beautiful little girl, my Hannah.

Steph, I have no doubt that Hannah and Luba are there together -- no doubt at all. You and I were friends from the beginning, and I am sure they were too. Dreams, Steph, can't you just feel them ?? I had chill bumps when I typed most of the poems. So many people just don't "get it," but we are the lucky ones -- no doubt. I wouldn't trade anything for the love of my Hannah and the years I had with her. We are very special people who had very special "people" in our lives. You are right though Steph, I don't believe the sadness will ever go away either. I really don't. Perhaps we can use our love to open some eyes to the incredible blessing the little guys/girls really are --- as I always say, the world would really, really be such a much better place if there were more people like us and more people who valued our little buddies like we at LS do.
Love,
Marcia

Hi Sweet Marcia:

Thank you so much Marcia, for sharing your beautiful tributes to "Our Little Miss Hannah" , as I have always personally & lovingly remembered YOUR GIRL............but, after you have shared so much of her little
tiny body with us............. Somehow, she is "Our Little Miss Hannah"....

The poems that you have taken the time to type.....to share... Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart!!!!!! I can just "feel all of our beloved furbabies in all of them......" So beautiful!!!!

I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT SWEET HANNAH IS JUMPING FOR JOY THAT YOU AND MAGGIE HAVE FOUND ONE ANOTHER...... You both needed one another, and sweet Hannah could not be more happy for the both of you..... I sincerely hope, in my heart, Marcia.........that you feel that way.....
Your sweet Baby Hannah Girl, who now is a beautiful furdog Angel...... , she wants you to be happy.... She wants you to be soooooooo happy.....

If ever you have "a little piece of guilt", because you love Maggie........Little Hannah wants you to brush that guilt away.......
Hannah is soooooooooooooo happy that you, her mommy, who she loves with all of her heart and soul, FOREVER..... (love never, ever dies).....,
IS SOOOOOO HAPPY THAT YOU HAVE OPENED YOUR BIG HEART, TO SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ANOTHER LIL' FURDOG, WHO NEEDED SOMEONE TO LOVE SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!


Someone like you, with soooooooooooo much love in your heart, your love needed to "be given to someone very, very special"...
And, in your sweet Maggie, she needed to be loved.!!!!
And, I truly believe that you, my sweet friend, need to be loved by a new, daughter/furdog.....
Never, ever to replace your Sweet Little Hannah Girl.......
but, someone to love as a new warm, furry baby....

(I too, know that "new" love.)

What better mommy in the World, than you??
I rest my case!!!!

I just cannot believe it has been 6 months and one week today, that Hannah went to Rainbow's Bridge......
It has been 8 months and 3+ weeks for Ernestine....

I think to myself................where has the time gone??? What have I done in that time???

But, I know that you and I can talk on the phone sometime for a nice "chat session"...

You are a sweet, sweet, loveable person.......... Really, there are not enough special & wonderful things that I can say about you..........my friend..

During the times that you were most in pain......you came on board here, and comforted others.... That's exactly what you did...........and, you still do!!

Very, very brave.... Just like your sweet little Hannah Girl, I know!!!!

When I think of "Our Little Miss Hannah" , I think of that darling little picture of her, after her bath.....all tired, but looking sooooooooooooo cute -- soooooo beautiful.....

Just by looking at her sweet face, I can tell how dearly she was loved...and, how very much SHE LOVED YOU!!!
And, from "Rainbow's Bridge"...........how very, very, very much your sweet lil' Hannah.....will ALWAYS & FOREVER LOVE YOU, MARCIA!!!!!

God Bless you, Marcia......

Love you, my friend..

Love, Denise xo

Marcia,
How special Hannah was and is I read this yesterday and just now am able to see to type as the tears just flowed. I will never understand if a person lets an animal into their life how they can not feel like so many of us here do. They are truly the most special of God's creations!

I cry daily for my Dieter, I miss him more than I could have ever imagined. They crawl into our hearts and that is something that will never go away, nor do I want it too. It's been almost 8 weeks but feels like an eternity that I've held my boy and felt his special kisses and oh how I yearn for him. Your little Hanna girl was very lucky to have a Mommy like you and we at lightning-strike are lucky to have you too!

Libby

Crying/Typing.. I'm gettin good at this!!

Amy

Thanks again, all of you. Another Monday, all this time, and some days it hurts so very much, and I miss my little girl Hannah more than anything in this world.
For my baby:

ONE MORE DAY (In Loving Memory of Stormy -- --Mary Ann Honaker)

If I had one more day with him,
I would put down my book of philosophy
when he came and laid his tiny head on the page,
wagging his poof of a tail ever so lightly.
We would take the leash from the closet
and dance for joy at the sight of it,
we would leap into the car like skipping children;
we would walk once more around a lake at sunset,
or once more we would sit side by side
under a tree not far from home,
and sighing, watch the sun paint the hills orange
until all light and color faded from the mountains.
We would take the old familiar route home in the soft dark,
hearing only our footsteps and the jingle of his license
against his little blue collar.
If I had one more day with him,
I wouldn't say, "We'll go someplace tomorrow,
because today the sky is gray,"
we would go anyway,
if I could only have one more day.
If only, my little Hannah . . . I miss you so.
and, I just had to add this poem too:

I Wanted To Go

Each time I left, you wanted to go,
I'd pick up my keys and you would know.
Your whole body shook, your eyes had that gleam,
"A ride in the truck, oh please take me!"

So many times that you couldn't go,
I'd try to explain, so you would know.
"Not today baby, you have to stay,
I'm going to work, there's no place to play."

"Another day Gizmo, no dogs in the store",
All of those reasons and so many more.
And when I came home, there you'd be,
Waiting in the window, watching for me.

Today I told you, "Let's go for a ride",
As ever before, you came to my side.
We got in the truck, I buckled your belt,
No gleam in your eyes, you sensed what I felt.

We arrived at the office and went inside,
My mind was racing, "This was our last ride.
The Bridge is waiting, please find your way there,
The others will help you and treat you with care."

I held you close to calm your fears,
My whole body shook, my eyes filled with tears.
You took your last breath and I want you to know,
This time you left me.....and I wanted to go. -- I don't know who wrote this poem, but I got it from this site: http://www.freewebs.com/lyndakelly/petlosspoetry.htm

Oh Marcia how I wish you still had your baby girl. I spent a long time reading all about little Hannah and I might add a lot of it was through many tears. Your pain has to be so great and yet you would reach out and help me with my little Snookie Cookie. I wish many blessings for the sweet person you are. Hugs, Ann

Hi ya'll. Thanks again so much. Ann, I read your reply to me from my email, instead of here at the site, so I sent you a long email. I just wanted to say if I can spare you or anyone else any of the pain I had to go through, that will mean so much to me. There are so many things I wish I had thought of, done, and known before I let my baby go. Part of my wish list was: Wish I had kept her beautiful silver hair everytime I gave her a haircut; wish I or the vet or someone had made a little paw print of her tiny little feet; wish I had taken her outside more to let her lie in the green grass in the sunshine, which she loved so much. Wish I had taken her back to some places where we used to live; to visit more people she knew and other little dogs. Wish I had made "the appointment" for late that afternoon. So many things I wish I had done, and that doesn't count the wishes that go with the "should have done," and "if I had done."

I miss my baby girl, and I still think about her all the time!
Marcia

Gosh, Marcia, she really was a cute little dog!

I know how the pain comes back at you. The poems made me cry.

Someone told me that in my grief I was focusing so much on what I should have done. That the healthier thing was to focus on what I DID do with Luba. When I started thinking about it that way, I realised that for every "I should have", there were FAR MANY MORE "I did do that".

Marcia, you were a wonderful mom to your little sweetheart.

I hope that we will meet up with all of our darling babies again when it is our time. And Luba and Frodo, (my dog when I was a kid), will be right there with your little Hannah and Babe waiting for us. And there will be no more tears.

I guess for now, there are others here that need us though. Looks like both you and I have already opened our hearts to let them in.

All these posts has really made me start crying. We are all so blessed we were given the opportunities in life to be given the honor of receiving these animals love. I am part of an animal rescue effort, and I see so many abused animals it become so stressful for me trying to find loving homes for all these sweet animals. If I could, I would take them all. I'm taking a sweet kitten tonight to a new home. Reading these has helped me remember there are alot of people who love animals, after seeing so many hurt animals, it sometimes feels like there isn't enough people to love them. Thank you everyone for the reminder. I am so sorry you lost your Hannah, I truly feel your pain. When our sweeties leave us, it leaves an empty place in our hearts that can be so hard to heal. You were a blessing to her just as she was to you.