Monday, January 21, 2013

Remembering Paw Prints In The Snow

Dog Dad is in one of his remembering moods.  Grand Maw crossed the Rainbow Bridge five years ago today on Martin Luther King Day.  Memories flow in Dog Dads mind, cuts and scrapes being mended, a facsimile collie for Christmas, a smile, a kind word, the encouragement when the going got rough.  Dog Dad remembers talking to her about things and mulling over advice when he was an adult.  She liked both Deacon and I.  She and Grand Paw were the glue that held the family together.  They knew what each child needed.  After he left their den, Dog Dad would return at least once a year.  He came back to visit from places like Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and South Korea. 
Grand Maw and Dog Dad's Sister Becky
Young Grand Maw
Dog Dad, Facsimile Collie, Sisters Marge & Alice
I remember Dog Dad packing in a hurry, getting Deacon and I in the truck, and the long drive north.  The weather was grey during most of that trip.  He told us that Grand Maw was in bad shape.  The drive was long and we just missed bad weather to reach Ohio.  When we arrived, Deacon and I saw snow for the first time.  We loved the snow and I hope one day Sherman can experience snow.  Dog Dad leaned on us and we leaned back.  He talked to us and held us.  We went for walks.  The normal pattern helps him cope.  The crossing was a double edge sword for him.  He misses Grand Maw, but was glad she was no longer suffering. 
Essex & Deacon On The Ride North
Deacon and I helped Dog Dad write the below poem in memory of Grand Maw and posted the poem a couple weeks after her crossing the Rainbow Bridge.  Dog Dad wants to share it again. 
Paw Prints In The Snow
We remember when we were little,
a time you were not frail and brittle.
As a pup, we were full of fire,
we ran and jumped to hearts desire.
Once we looked down by our toe,
To see a few small paw prints in the snow.

As time went by, we traveled far,
to distant shores, searching for our star.
We gazed at the silent moon above,
our hearts remembering those we love.
Looking back we saw the trail grow,
there were more paw prints in the snow.

At last came the time of your journeys end,
and we couldn’t join you around the last bend.
You huff and puff to cross one last ridge,
now you’ve crossed over the rainbow bridge.
Our loving heart will like an ember glow,
when we think of your paw prints in the snow.

(The Key West Collies)

Dog Speed,

Essex

12 comments:

Cowspotdog said...

It is our memories that will always keep them in our hearts - no matter how time passes.

rottrover said...

Thank you for sharing these memories with us.

Dianne SS said...

We know how Dog Dad feels. It's coming up to 3 years on January 29since my mom passed away. Duffy and I leaned on each other during that sad week before she passed. And I couldn't bear to let him go to a dog show after--I needed him with me. May there be more happy memories than sad ones, as time goes by.

Dianne and Duffy.

Dawn said...

Thank you for sharing Dog Dad. These are precious memories. Good things we have dogs, isn't it. How could we get through things like this without them. What wonderful pictures! Maybe she and Deacon are playing together today. Hugs.

Jake of Florida said...

Remembering keeps those we've lost forever in our hearts. And our dogs are witnesses to the love we've shared.

Wirey woofs,

Jake and Just Harry

How Sam Sees It said...

Sending hugs to Dog Dad. What a beautiful poem.

Sam

Asta said...

Dawling Essex
That poem made Mommi cwy, wemembewing all that [aw pwints on hew heawt and the family who have made theiw last jouwney..it's a bootiful poem and I think you awe so lucky to be [awt of such a speshul family. Youw Gwamma will continoo to help Dogda fwom ovew the bwidge wif hew smile and gentle touch, of that I'm shoowe
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Moondance Huskies said...

Hi Essex,
this was such a nice post about your Grand Maw. I am sure she was a wonderful lady...after all, look at what a great guy your Dog Dad is! I never got to meet my Grand Maw, but mom has told me she was really nice and loved dogs too. So maybe she and your Grand Maw have met over the Bridge and sharing lots of stories. Give Dog Dad a hug from all of us and mom. We loved the poem too. Made us think of our loved ones who have gone to the Bridge.
Hugs & love,
Skye & mom

StevieGrrrWonder said...

That pic of mom in the grass skirt always cracked me up and it still does today. She must've been quite the character and fun to be around. Always liked her quick wit and sense of humor. Miss her and dad lots and wish I could talk to them, but life is about seasons and change and we gotta roll with the punches, as they say. But I can hardly wait to meet them when I get to heaven...that's gonna be one very happy reunion!

StevieGrrrWonder said...

That pic of mom in the grass skirt always cracked me up and it still does today. She must've been quite the character and fun to be around. Always liked her quick wit and sense of humor. Miss her and dad lots and wish I could talk to them, but life is about seasons and change and we gotta roll with the punches, as they say. But I can hardly wait to meet them when I get to heaven...that's gonna be one very happy reunion!

Collie222 said...

Nice memories, it's just so sad to be separated from our loved ones.

I had to smile, seeing you holding the stuffed collie as a child! :)

Cynthia said...

I love old pictures, what fun. :)