Annabelle Josephine

“Belle”

You Rescued Me

March 30, 2001 – August 14, 2015

How can I write anything that will do justice to you, my precious girl? No words could ever express what you gave me during our time together. This is my feeble attempt to tell others your legacy and honor your life.

Our lives were sad and empty. We needed something….we didn’t know what. Enter Belle! A beautiful, stubborn, loving, red brindle, bundle of NEW BEGINNINGS!

We had NO Greyhound knowledge. We made countless blunders. But you still gazed at us with trusting eyes and the adoration that only a Greyhound can convey.

You were lonely…..separation anxiety they called it. She needs another Greyhound. We were scared….we didn’t know what to do to make one Greyhound happy….how could we deal with two?

Then came Bob. From the moment you saw him you loved him. He was scared and shy. You gave him confidence. You took care of him.

You now had your pack. Your true Diva emerged

Our handsome Dutch arrived. He was our first senior….you accepted him and added him to your pack.

And then Sam. Your pack was complete. The boys adored you. You ruled with velvet, bejeweled paws.

Our beautiful girl.

And then we started fostering. You were so longsuffering with the parade of foster hounds who came through our home. You taught them how to be proper couch potatoes and how to snag a perfect forever home. You could quell a rowdy foster with one of your patented “looks”.

Your Meet and Greet talent was unsurpassed. You adored your work and could wield your magical charm on anyone who passed by.

We traveled to so many places….you were the perfect traveling companion. Year after year. Greyhound event after Greyhound event. You were the Queen of Sandy Paws! You were our queen! We were so very proud of you!

The years passed quickly….too quickly. Before we knew it, you were 14!

But you were still in great health. Still loved to go to Meet and Greets and events. Still worked the crowds like a pro.

You had watched so many cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. Dutch, Bob, so many others.

And then Sam…..the last of your original pack. You were beside him when he crossed over. You were sad…..never the same after that day. It was as if a light had gone out in your eyes. We felt you needed time to grieve and then you would be fine.

Then the day came that you didn’t want to eat. You picked at breakfast and then refused any dinner. You had trouble standing. You were tired. Your eyes told the story.

I knew….all it took was one look in your eyes and I knew. I wanted to yell and scream at the heavens that it wasn’t fair. I wasn’t ready. But then again, would I ever be ready? How could I question when I had been blessed with 11 precious years?

And once again, you taught me……this wasn’t about me. It was about you…it was your time to rest. Your time to be well and whole; your time to be young again.

It was time to re-join your pack. It was time for me to be thankful….thankful for what you had brought to my life.

As we held you and kissed your precious face, you crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge with the same beauty and grace that you lived your life. You ran into the beautiful meadow where the sun never sets and met Dutch, Bob, Sam, Roo, Max, Astro, Betsy, Style, Angel, Basil, Aaron, Flybye, Rayne, Noah, your beloved Marshall and all the others who have gone before you.

In our selfishness, we grieve the loss of our precious baby girl. But at the same time, we are so very grateful for our time with you.

You opened the magical world of Greyhounds for us. You showed us the path we were meant to take; our purpose. You taught us to give back…..to reach out. You gave us a huge Greyhound family of humans and hounds; people we would never have met if you hadn’t graced our lives. People and hounds who are our family….showing us the truth in “there is friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 KJV). You taught us that we are the ones who have to make a difference. It’s not someone else’s duty, it’s ours.

Thank you, Annabelle Josephine….our Belle Belle, our Bella, our Guuuurrlllll. We will miss you every single day until we can hold you again.

Fly, Queen Belle, fly free…………..We love you more than words could ever express.

See You Again

Said goodbye, turned around

And you were gone, gone, gone

Faded into the setting sun,

Slipped away

But I won't cry

'Cause I know I'll never be lonely

For you are the stars to me,

You are the light I follow

I will see you again, oh

This is not where it ends

I will carry you with me, oh

'Till I see you again

I can hear those echoes in the wind at night

Calling me back in time

Back to you

In a place far away

Where the water meets the sky

The thought of it makes me smile

You are my tomorrow

I will see you again, oh

This is not where it ends

I will carry you with me, oh

'Till I see you again

Sometimes I feel my heart is breaking

But I stay strong and I hold on 'cause I know

I will see you again, oh

This is not where it ends

I will carry you with me……..

I will see you again…….

Hodges, David / Lindsey, Hillary / Underwood, Carrie

PRAYER

In the name of God the Father,

who created you and all the animals,

in the name of Jesus the Son,

who spoke of you in parables and stories,

in the name of the Holy Spirit,

in whom every creature lives, moves, and has their being,

go now in peace, dear friend.

May you find rest near refreshing waters,

may you lie in cool, green pastures,

and may you warm yourself under the sun that never sets.

You have been my constant companion,

my shadow and confidante,

my comfort and playmate.

You filled my days with life and brought me endless joy.

For this I give thanks to God who gave you to me.

Now return to your Maker who eagerly waits for you

as you waited for me at the end of each day.

In the Father’s arms, let there be no more pain.

Let there be no more suffering.

Let there be only light as it was on the day God created you.

For our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Amen.

Love Forever After

Mummy