My Mom had Skippy before I was born. She told me that from the day she brought me home we were inseperatable. Skippy was always watching over me & if I cried he would run to Mom & bark until she followed him to where I was. When I slept he would sleep on the floor by my crib. She used to say he was my protector & didn't like it when he couldn't see me.
Mom said as I grew he didn't seem to mind my baby pulls to him & never became angry with me for them. When I learned to crawl & walk he'd follow me all around.
Skippy was around for as long as I can remember & we did everything together. I remember Mom calling him my Shadow. Skippy was the best friend any young child could ask for. He was very protective of me. Mom said I didn't call him Skippy & that I always called him My Skippy.
I remember there was a big lock on the gate & Mom always telling me to make sure it was closed tight so Skippy couldn't get out of the yard. She didn't know what happened, but someone, possibly the mailman, didn't close the gate all the way, & when she let Skippy out in the morning to do his duty he somehow got out of the yard. She didn't realize this until he didn't come when she called him. When she went in the yard she noticed the gate slightly opened & knew Skippy was gone. She said he used to like to chase squirrels & cats & thought that's what he did when he got out of yard. She was hoping he'd come right back & when I asked for him when I got up she said he was out doing his duty & would be in shortly. He didn't seem to come back & I kept asking for him. She wouldn't let me go out because it was raining very hard.
She had a neighbor come over to watch me telling me she was going to the store. I later found out she went to look for Skippy & found that he had been hit by a car & died. She later told me she didn't know how to tell me because she knew I'd be very upset. I remember crying very hard when she said Skippy went to Heaven. I was only 5 & didn't really understand, but later realized that Skippy was gone & never comming back. Mom later told me I was a very broken hearted little girl for the longest time & she wanted to get me another dog. When she'd try to talk about it she said I'd say "NO" & I want My Skippy & cry. I don't remember that, but do remember I really missed him & cried alot. We did have cats & a bird, but didn't get another dog until I was about 8 years old.
I'm a grown woman now, but I never did forget My Skippy. I was going through some old family photos & didn't realize there was any photos of Skippy. When I found the 2 photos I have on his page it made me very happy & that's when I added him to Find A Grave.

If you have a chance, please visit my other "Fur Baby" Patches . Thanks.

" THE 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, sunshine and toys, 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.

Those who were abused or mal-treated have had their tears wiped away, and sit for as long as they want on the Golden Flowing Robes of God's Lap. They feel the touch of Pure Love on their heads and finally know happiness. All the animals are happy and content, except for one small thing -they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent and her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, she breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

By: William (Bill) N. Britton


" I'm Really Going To Miss You "

My little boy,
My little friend,
I'm really going to miss you.
It's going to be difficult without you.

For the rest of my life, am I going
to be thinking about you?
Oh, yes, I am,
But the time came when you had to go.

I'll miss you, my baby,
I'll miss you, my friend.
I promise my love for you will never end.

In your finest days, I was with you,
Now without you, things won't be the same.
But, there is a higher power that we answer to,
And you heard Him call your name.

I'm really going to miss you -
Miss everything about you,
Your cuddles and kisses.

I know you fought so hard to be strong,
I'm really going to miss you,
But I know you have gone to a higher place.

I'm really going to miss you,
Quietly sneaking your presents from
under the Christmas tree.
Jumping and bouncing on the bed,
Playing peak-a-boo,
as I tried to change the sheets.

I'm really going to miss you,
But, I know you've gone to a higher place.
Where you can breath freely and run
without tiring.

So chase that squirrel and look up all your family and friends.
'Cause my mind can be at peace now.
For you're in the presence of everything good.
Oh, the emptiness and pain.

I guess like they said,
we were the Siamese twins.
For when you were taken, along with you,
Went most of my Heart.

Written by:
LaRetta Lake