In Memory Of

"Rascal"

12/1/85 - 5/23/01

You died in my arms 15 & 1/2 years after the day you were born.
I vowed to you I would be there in the end...I was.

You were a "unique" animal.
There will never be another like you. I know you were given to me
for many reasons. I will never forget your strength to fight
or your will to live, even when your physical body
was giving out.

We were a lot alike, though you were much stronger than I and you held
on for me.

I still can't imagine my life without you.
I can still feel you with me. I can hear you barking and
listen to your breathing when I close my eyes.

I will always remember you doing the things you loved the
most in life, chewing a bone for hours, napping in the warmth of the sun,
following it around from window to window as the day went on.

I will remember your long pointy nose bumping my arm
or some other body part!), wanting
to be pet, and I will always remember the days when you could run
like the wind................you loved to FLY.

Fly, fly little wing
Fly, beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again.

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forever more
But hold this memory bittersweet
Until we meet.

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waist a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set.........
But I won't forget.

(Jean-Jacques Goldman and Phil Galdston)