In Memoriam
To
Three Four
Six Seven Mastiffs
(and one spunky little Coyote)
NOTE: Duchess the Coyote Cross's story is pending - check back soon
Who came into our lives, and left all too soon
By Wes Copas
March 3, 2004
(last updated 29 November 2008)
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis
(Grant them eternal rest, Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them)
- Mozart, W.A., Requiem K.626
The links below tell the stories of seven Mastiffs who graced our lives for several years (it used to be three, then four, then six, but another has joined the crew at the Bridge). Each had his or her own distinct personality, and was loved in his or her own way. They gave us all they had, and we miss them all dearly. As you can see in the "rest of the story," the pain of losing these four wonderful companions was blunted by the addition of a couple of Mastiffs (eventually three) who came to us straight from the Almighty, or so it seems. Their coming into our lives was a wonderful blessing, as long as it lasted...
Each of the seven departed Mastiffs now has his or her own page. I recommend that their stories be read in order, as each builds upon the last.
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1) Click here for CHANCE's story (click on thumbnails to enlarge photos)
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3) Click here for AGGIE's story
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4) Click here for THEA's story
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One of the most meaningful activities we undertook with Chance, Aggie and Rion was pet therapy work with a San Antonio hospice, Vitas Healthcare. To read about some of these experiences and their long term effects on us, click on the following links:
Click here to read about "The Boys" - an article written by Tina for the Mastiff Club of America's Journal in 1996 (scanned)
OR
Click here to read about therapy dogs and death - an account of one particular visit which showed us the value of our services to people who needed it so much.
SUMMARY
That’s the story: The eight dogs described above lived with us for far too short a time, and they are sorely missed. However, as you have seen, they gave us countless blessings and boundless joy; I think I can safely say that our family gave these dogs blessings, too. The tears are not all shed yet; many a late night filled with remembrance, many calls for the missing dogs when we call them in from the yard, many extra milk-bones when we count out the evening snack are still to come. This page is a tribute to the memory of eight of the best dogs who ever walked the world’s paths, and in closing, I offer a poem written by a dear friend, describing the feeling of learning about the tragedy others experience “out there” in Cyberspace.
Touch of the
Net
I've lost a friend I didn't know,
The message came today,
Propelled through wires at speed of light,
From near or far away.
A noble friend, of ancient blood,
A staunch and mighty guard,
A loving comfort, Hero spawn,
Fair grist for any bard.
He left behind a family
And friends to mourn his death,
She left behind a wash of tears,
As she breathed her last breath.
Computer networks span the globe
And contact now is found
With folks that we may never see
But feel with touch profound.
The dots of light on screen of glass
Shape words of joy or pain,
We teach and learn and share our lives
And blessings deep we gain.
So now I sit with sniffling nose
And tears flow down my face,
I share a loss and try to find
Pure words of peace and grace.
A dog has died, but more than that,
A precious life has passed.
We take them in, they bless our lives,
Then leave us much too fast.
God grant us peace and mem'ries long,
Our short-lived friends to keep,
In stories, images, and thoughts,
To calm us as we weep.
Now, lightning's brother, speed my words,
Through fibers, disks, and such.
May cold computer magic turn
To caring, human touch.
Bob Stewart
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