Posted on 12/17/2012 8:38:38 AM PST by KeyLargo
Edited on 12/17/2012 8:42:03 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
A team of golden retrievers made an 800-mile journey from the Chicago area to Newtown, Conn., over the weekend to comfort those affected by the recent school massacre.
Lutheran Church Charities deployed about 10 of the canines Saturday evening for residents who want to pet them while they talk or pray with the dog's handler, said Tim Hetzner, president of the Addison-based organization.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
LOL...now That is funny!
With all due respect-since the murders were not an act of war perpetrated by a foreign power/foreign nationals, or an attack on national security by hostiles in our own country, I don’t see how it can be a “national matter”, serious or not. It is a serious matter involving that town-and the state, if the city officials choose to make it so. All crimes involving mass murder are not a national matter-the fed should stay out of it, period, in my opinion.
Amen!
And all dogs DO go to Heaven.
By the way, I weathered my husband’s death with my faith in God, and the love of my pets-three cats and a dog...
Okay that made me tear up.
Here you go:
Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Fellow FReeper, as someone who has been actively involved with Pet Therapy for 20+ years, I can testify you don’t have a clue.
I have seen dogs, through God, perform miracles. Dogs have help heal my own heart several times.
So many wonderful situations made better because of a caring, loving dog. So many heavy hearts lifted because of a caring, loving dog.
Thanks for the ping. You’ll have FReep mail shortly.
Check out the YouTube:
Sweet Mama Dog Interacting with a Beautiful Child with Down Syndrome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA8VJh0UJtg
Amen!
Found the added variation deep in the home PC archives. (WARNING: May bring on bad memories and copious tears)
WELCOME AT RAINBOW BRIDGE
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.
One 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.
Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped forward and said, “I will have 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.
I had a pastor once who used to say, "If you are looking for the hand of God, most likely it is on the end of another person's arm." Or in this case, the paws of God, the big liquid eyes of God, the heart of God to love purely and sense more accurately than most people do when someone is hurting. God works through so many channels. Certainly, dogs can be a huge help to children, who cannot see God or feel hugged by Him or hug Him back; but they can do this with a dog. Just as our parents are the earthly caregivers who should model the authority of the Father, the teaching of the Son and the nurturing of the Holy Spirit, children must sometimes learn kinesthetically in the concrete realm. There is no harm in using these examples of human love of relatives and even pets to illustrate the larger love and infinite mystery of the Trinity.
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