Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really. -- Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Courtney left this world on November 23, 2005. She brought joy to our lives for 13 years. We miss her.

I imagine her waiting for us at The Rainbow Bridge -- running and playing with the friends she has been missing so much.

Courtney was our angel. We adopted her from the Bide-a-wee shelter in Wantagh, Long Island, New York on January 6, 1992 when she was just six weeks old and weighed five pounds. The card on her cage said Shepherd mix and she was the only one in her litter with black, tan and white markings. Her brothers and sisters were entirely tan, and cute too, but we thought she had the most beautiful markings. As we held her in our arms, she fell asleep and it was 'puppy love at first site'.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -- Josh Billings

A story Courtney "wrote" back when she was just a pup....

I Was A Puppy Kindergarten Dropout

-- by Courtney

It was a dark and stormy night. Ok, I'm exaggerating, it was a dark night, very, very dark. It was back when I was a young active pup of 4 months. Why did I need to go to school anyway? I was so happy at home playing puppy games. I would jump up on people and shred their clothes with my teeth while they squealed with delight--boy was that game fun!

The Car Ride

Anyway, one night after I took Mom and Dad out for a walk, we got into the car instead of going back inside the house. I didn't know where we were going, nothing looked familiar, and then I heard a lot of barking. Was this the school Mom had told me about? I started yawning 'cause it was almost my bedtime and I think I was a little worried. Would this be fun? Were Mom and Dad gonna stay with me?

The (stupid) School

I must admit, I'm a little nervous about new situations. Well, a lot nervous. First we went to a grass area where lots of dogs were sniffing around and doing their business. I tried to mark this place as my territory but it would have taken me days to cover all the other scents. Then, we went down some stairs into a big room where there were people and dogs everywhere. I was, to put it mildly, overwhelmed. I looked around and thought it was gonna be very hard to be the boss at this place 'cause some of the dogs were three times my size, maybe four (I felt so little). It was so scary.

I tried my best to make Mom and Dad proud but my nerves got the best of me. I had a little accident on the floor and Mom came over and picked it up while everyone watched. I was never so humiliated in my life! From that moment on I decided I didn't want to be there anymore and every chance I got I lunged towards the door. It was exhausting and I could tell that Dad, who was trying real hard to keep a grip on my leash, was getting tired too. Finally, it was time to go home and I fell asleep in the car relieved that it was all over.

Not Again!

A few days later we went for another nighttime car ride. I became suspicious -- Oh no! Not again! I couldn't believe that they wanted me to show my face at that stupid school again. This time Mom was holding my leash. I felt a little more relaxed 'cause Mom is easier to control than Dad and maybe I could make a break for the door while she was busy talking. I still didn't understand why I had to be there -- I knew how to sit and stay and I can lie down when I'm in the mood. One dog, a Borzoi, was so stubborn that they couldn't even get him to sit. Maybe he wasn't stubborn, maybe he was just smart! Another dog, a little brown girl with really short legs didn't have to learn 'down'-- she was already there! I did get a few laughs when I wasn't busy lunging for the door.

The Big Man

There was a big man who was always in the center of the room with his really big dog. I guess this man didn't like my attitude 'cause he stood over me like a ferocious giant and told me to sit and down in a very harsh voice. Well, I was so scared that I just stood there frozen like a statue. He yanked on my collar which scared me even more. I looked up at Mom and she looked scared of this big man too and then I just started shaking. The man yanked again, and I shook even more. I had never ever been so scared before. I just wanted to go home.

There's No Place Like Home

And home we went. Mom and Dad and me. They never took me back to that stupid school again. I'm not exactly sure why, but I don't think they liked the big man in the middle of the room either (they're smart, my folks). And although I never graduated from Puppy Kindergarten, I was educated nonetheless. Mom and Dad bought books and videos and taught me everything I needed to know. So, I guess I'm a home-schooled dog.

I still wonder sometimes though, if the Borzoi ever sat down!

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...