Samuel Elchanan

“Sam”

Joy of my Heart

November 25, 2001 – July 24, 2015

My first foster….my first foster failure.

You jumped off the transport van that night…..59 pounds of skin and bone….jet black with a striking white chest. I was in love.

I vowed that we would find you a wonderful forever home. When our eyes met, you knew you were already there.

You came into our house, jumped onto the sofa, laid down and sighed. You were home.

I tried to fight it. I took you to Meet and Greet. When I walked away from you, you screamed so loudly they could hear you all over the store.

I knew. I gave up. You were mine, or rather I was yours.

You were always happy, always easy going, such a joy.

You loved our trips…such a fantastic traveling companion.

You loved our trips…such a fantastic traveling companion.

Watching you jump in the waves was something I will never forget. I treasure those times.

Belle, Bob, Dutch & Sam……my first four. You all were the perfect pack. Total unity… If I could go back and savor those moments again…..but that kind of perfection is but once in a lifetime.

When my beloved Bob was called to the Bridge, you were my solace, my protector. You slept next to me every night….always there to catch my tears in your fur. Bob entrusted my care to you. You knew my pain….you absorbed it.

The day came that you weren’t yourself…you didn’t feel good. I could tell. Nothing I could define….just something.

The doctors searched…..and soon found the problem. It was cancer. How many times had we heard it before….countless. It had taken so many of our loves from us.

But there was some hope. There was medicine that would help. It would give you more time. Did you want to stay? Did you want to fight for more time? You assured me you did….as long as that fight was not in a hospital…as long as you could be home with me.

And so it was…..November to July. A gift of 8 wonderful months.

All too soon the day came….you told me it was time. I tried to be strong….you knew I couldn’t. You understood. I promised that I would be okay. I wanted you to be free….wanted your spirit to soar again.

As I held you, you slipped away….you joined Dutch and Bob in that place of perfection that awaits us.

Oh how I miss you my precious boy! It is a physical ache.

But I know that you are happy and well and that one day, I will hold you again.

Until we meet again, my beloved boy, soar with the angels.

ALL OF THE STARS

It's just another night

And I'm staring at the moon

I saw a shooting star

And thought of you

I sang a lullaby

By the waterside and knew

If you were here,

I'd sing to you

You're on the other side

As the skyline splits in two

I'm miles away from seeing you

I can see the stars

From America

I wonder, do you see them, too?

So open your eyes and see

The way our horizons meet

And all of the lights will lead

Into the night with me

And I know these scars will bleed

But both of our hearts believe

All of these stars will guide us home

SHEERAN, ED / MCDAID, JOHNNY

A Parting Prayer

Dear Lord, please open your gates

and call St. Francis

to come escort this beloved companion

across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign him to a place of honor,

for he has been a faithful servant

and has always done his best to please us.

Bless the hands that send him to you,

for they are doing so in love and compassion,

freeing him from pain and suffering.

Grant us the strength not to dwell on our loss.

Help us remember the details of his life

with the love he has shown us.

And grant us the courage to honor him

by sharing those memories with others.

Let him remember us as well

and let him know that we will always love him.

And when it's our time to pass over into your paradise,

please allow him to accompany those

who will bring us home.

Thank you, Lord,

for the gift of his companionship

and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,

for granting us the strength

to give him to you now.

Amen.

- © Brandy Duckworth, 1998

Love Forever After,

Mummy