"Welcome At Rainbow Bridge On September 11, 2001"
by Alexander Theodore ~ Bouvier deFlandres, Fourth Year Resident

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an
unprecedented amount of activity at the Rainbow Bridge.
Decisions had to be made. They had to be made quickly.
And, they were.

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many
residents really have no loved one for whom to wait. Think
of the pups who lived and died in hideous puppy mills. No
one on earth loved or protected them. What about the many
who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones
who were abused. Who are they to wait for?

We don't talk about that much up here. We share our loved
ones as they arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there
is nothing like having your very own person who thinks you
are the most special pup in the Heavens.

Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not
waiting for specific persons to volunteer for special assignment.
An eager, curious crowd surged excitedly forward, each pup
wondering what the assignment would be.

They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at
once, over 4,000 loving people had left Earth long before
they were ready. All the pups, as all pups do, felt the humans'
pain deep in their own hearts. Without hearing more, there
was a clamoring among them - "May I have one to comfort?"
"I'll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses forever."

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One
cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any
children coming? I would be very comforting for a child 'cause I'm
soft and squishy and I always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians
came forward asking to meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger
working breeds offered to greet the Police Officers and make them
feel at home. Little dogs volunteered to do what they do best,
cuddle and kiss. Father Mike got a special little Yorkie for his
very own. It was difficult to determine who was comforting whom
the joy was so complete!

Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on
the head, stepped forward and said, "I will love any human
who needs love."

Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came
from, rushed to the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting,
overflowing with love to share - each tail wagging an American Flag.

 Photo Above Submitted By CJ at Gisselle's Den

 

"And yet, when I look up to the sky,
I somehow feel that everything
will change for the better,
that this cruelty too shall end,
that peace and tranquility
will return once more."

 - Anne Frank, Diarist

*

Photo above:  "Valor" submitted by
Curt & Dina Heckler of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania ~USA~

 

"One"
As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hope
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heros
We become one people.

We are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people

We are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America.

~Cheryl Sawyer~

Haley's Tribute Image Sent In By Debbie White of Deblyn's GSDs.

"I Am A Rottweiler"
(The word Rottweiler could be substituted easily with other dog breed names.)

I was brought into this world by a loving breeder who has spent the last 30
years in loving dedication to my breed. I was trained by a man or woman, who
has been equally dedicated to my breed.

Over the last few years, you have gotten e-mails from people who said I was
vicious, because criminal humans made less than .0001 % of my breed into
criminal dogs. And because human parents never taught their children how to
respect and stay away from large animals of any kind.

You wanted my breeder to abandon her love and care of my breed. You wanted
her to never make another dog like me. You wanted to keep me in a small pen
and make me wear a muzzle. Some of you, wanted us all killed for no reason.
I never growled at a human. I never attacked a human. But you said I was a
potential danger and I needed to be destroyed.

You wanted the same done to my brothers and sisters in the working dog
world. You came for the pit bulls, you came for the German Shepherds, you
came for the Dobermans, and you came for us, the Rottweilers.

Today I sat at my master's feet in NY. The master you said was crazy to
want a Rottweiler. We cried, but kept on working. You saw the sadness in
my eyes. I was bred to work. I was trained to find. I search and I
find. My reward is a scratch on the head and maybe a hug from the person I
find, but those I find can't scratch my head. I cry. My fellow searchers
have lost their lives falling in this rubble. My feet are cut by glass and
metal. But my trainer and I keep searching. We are looking for your spouses,
your children, your parents, your friends, your coworkers and your
neighbors. I am risking the life you wished to deny me. I am doing what NO
ONE else can. If I were not here, you would have no where else to turn for
help or hope.

When you see my trainer and I sleeping on the sidewalk or climbing
over the mountain of rubble, because just one of your human lives is
important to me, look into my eyes and remember the sacrifice and
work that "dangerous" dogs like me have done for thousands of years
and think about a world without me.

All I ask is let me live. Let my owner continue to make it possible
for dogs, like me, to give our lives for yours. In disasters, in
wars, and just protecting your homes and families, for thousands of
years to come.

~Author Unknown~

Click on the button to find out how to order one of these buttons.  There are several breeds to choose from.  The creator states that all proceeds will be sent to the K-9 Search and Rescue. 

Links to Visit - Please Sign Our Guestbook Below Before You Leave...

A Must See: "Four Legged Rescuers"

America Canine Search and Rescue Tribute Slideshow
Police K9 and WTC Search and Rescue Dog Gunned Down
American Liberty Partnership
World Trade Tribute

SAR Dog News Links:
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation
Heroes With A Nose For Lost Souls
Search And Rescue Groups At Ground Zero
ACE Awards
More Stories Here.

World Trade Center Relief Fund
The newly established New York State World Trade Center Fund supports the emergency response and victim support efforts in New York. Donations can be made online (follow the link on the site), by phone (at 1-800-801-8092), or by mail (to the address provided on the site).

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