In April 2011 Jess stopped eating. We took her to the vet who took scans and gave us the worst news possible. She had cancer in her throat which had spread to her internal organs. Two weeks later on Good Friday, a beautiful sunny spring day, Jessica was put to sleep on our lawn in the sunshine. We buried her in the garden.
From that day on I wanted her back. We had to find another black Labrador Spaniel cross and bring her home. I would travel as far as it took. But another Jess could not be found. My friend told me about a litter of Sprockers that would be available shortly and we went to look. I didn’t like them…they weren’t Jess. However Richard my husband fell in love with them and, desperate to fill the hole in my heart, three weeks later we collected Tilly and Mabel. And so their adventures began.
Annie is now 14 years old, still going strong and enjoying life. In a perfect world Jess would still be on the other end of her stick.
I wrote ‘Waiting at the Door’ for my beautiful black Jess x
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Your story is touching and sweet. I can relate. I just lost my English Springer Spaniel, Petey, to cancer, and when I knew it was time, his eyes told me he was ready. Of course, I wasn’t. I would have never been ready to let him go. I adopted him from a local shelter at 3 yrs. of age, and for 9 years, he was my “puppy”. Our last two weeks together, were filled with warm breezes, long walks until he needed to rest, and me telling him I loved him about 100 times a day. I kissed him on his forehead so many times, that I wanted him to feel my love, and to take it with him as he closed his eyes for the last time. Sadly, he did not close his eyes. Maybe he saw a light and it was there to guide him to that bridge. I hope everyone he loved, and that I loved, was there to welcome him. I will see him again one day. Now, every breezy day, I feel him with me. And now, I have a lucky dog to share my heart with again – a black Sprocker, who’s 5 years old, and has seen his fair share of a less than loving life. But his with me now, and he will have the best of the rest of his days, surrounded by my love.
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I ordered the magnet/cat version. The kitten in the photo looks just as we imagined our cat must have looked when she was tiny. She came to us as an older kitten/teenager, seemingly dumped by someone who changed their mind about wanting her as she was already fixed. I literally carried her home as a dog had chased her up a (very short) tree. She simply would not leave our yard, and while we weren’t sure about letting her indoors she was so careful and loved to snuggle up to my husband at night the decision was made for us.
She bonded with my husband and followed him around; racing to meet him when he got home from work and spent any chance she could to sit on his lap. She even figured out how to jump from car to car and up into the loft in our garage to sit with him while he built his models.
She had the most interesting trait; an exasperated “chuf” when something wasn’t just to her liking.
Six months ago our rabbit developed an infection and I was distracted with her care. The cat seemed “off” but I figured it was empathy, as was her way. Unfortunately this time it was not and after a frantic week of tests, x-rays and an ultrasound she was diagnose with a cancerous mass blocking her intestines. We rushed her to surgery and doctors told us strait up we wouldn’t have her for long but the blockage had to go. She bounced back after the mass was removed and we had one more good month. The cancer came back of course and we had her euthanized before it could cause her any more pain. That was two weeks ago.
Your poem is exactly our story.
Sorry for your loss.
We too adopted again; another stray. Our thought was one life made room for another one. We still miss he so much…
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I bought the magnet for my parents as a memorial to poppy their beautiful sheltie. She had heart failure and had been poorly for 3 years. She suddenly stopped eating whilst we were on holiday in our caravans in Norfolk.
Although she had been to the vets, her breathing deteriorated and she died in my arms in the caravan. My mum and dad struggled leaving her behind although her ashes are due to come home tomorrow. I needed to find something as a memorial for them. The magnet with the beautiful poem was perfect and they cried when they read it, but they love it. It was made extra special as I was able to add a note on the back from poppy.
Thank you so much. It really is a beautiful poem with such an emotional message.
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Just loved the poem and thought it was so applicable for our beloved Pekingese Angel who with heavy hearts we had to have put to sleep a few weeks ago. Miss her terribly but it is a lovely thought that she might be waiting for us when we go. So sorry for all the fellow dog lovers who have also commented. Dogs leave a huge hole in our lives but they will never be forgotten.
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thank you for the lovely poem waiting at the door we lost our staffy rebel last week this is what he was all about now he is back with us everytime we look or read the verse so thank you so much he will never be forgotten …
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Thank you. Beautiful poem Waiting at the door.
Had to say goodbye to our Bobby on Monday.
Hardest day of our lives, miss him so much.
Having this plaque means so much to .
Hes home with us now.
He let us know he was here, as his squeaky toy sound just as the pistman delicered it. Brought me to tears.
Fly high on Rainbow bridge Bobby with Monty run free
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When l saw Waiting at the door l loved it, loosing my Baby Boy of 14yrs old on 9.3.2022 it totally broke my heart , so l placed my order then a photo , when it arrived l opened it and l cried so much as l loved it so much it is beautiful ♥️ Jean is always there to offer help , you get sent a image as what the end product will look like so any changes can be made , l recommend CountryStyle Gifts
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