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