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 and sunshine, 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.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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 the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
This page is for all the dogs that have been through the doors of Second Chance Kennels and have sadly passed away.
We will put up photos and stories here as memories to the dogs that were loved so much by us and their owners.
Floyd >>
Posted: 27th April 2008
This is Floyd we arrived at the kennels one day to find him tied to the gate, poor lad we didn't know his name or anything about him. So he was named Floyd and was such a gentle dog. Sadly we found out he was deaf and was so miserable in the kennels, we all felt so sorry for him. However, Traci who runs Staffie rescue found a foster home for him and the best news was his foster dad kept him. We found out a few weeks ago that Floyd hadn't been well and had passed over to Rainbow bridge. We are so sad but a least he had a few years with someone who loved him.
Sleep easy Floyd you were such a well loved boy xx
Sophie >>
Posted: 16th April 2008
Dear Ena, Frank & co
As you know we lost our adorable Sophie on 28 December 2007. It has taken
Roy and I, a long time to come to terms with loosing Sophie hence the reason
it has taken me so long to write a little something about her. Roy and I
cannot thank you enough for allowing us to bring Sophie home. She was a
great companion for Digger (he adored her and misses her terribly). Roy and
I loved her dearly as she was the most loving, caring and cuddly rotti you
could wish for. She was also adored by all who met her. She made a huge
difference to our lives and brought lots of happiness.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts
Take care
Alison and Roy Jenkins
Lots of licks Digger xx
********
SOPHIE ‘OUR LADY’
On Friday 28 December, I woke up as usual with Digger by my side. We were both tired from the night before as mum and dad’s visitors had arrived for the New Year celebrations.
Dad was away to work but mum had a few days off – yippee!
Mum prepared our breakfast whilst Digger and I went out to the garden to potter about. Mum called us in for our breakfast! And what a treat, we had a little chicken mixed in with our food – yum yum! Mum patted my head and told me I was a good girl for finishing my breakfast (as if I wouldn’t!!).
Digger and I returned to the garden. I was barking as there were people passing by. I always bark to tell my mum that someone is passing our house, mind you, my mum says that I bark if a fly goes by ha! ha! Must be a dog thing!!
I didn’t feel too good and then had a little pain ……………………………..
When I woke up, I was amazed and really excited. I was surrounded by hundreds of dogs. All shapes and sizes, all makes and models! It was fantastic. I even met my mum and dad’s first Rotti – Amber!
Looking down from Rainbow Bridge, I can see my mum weeping and my dad trying to hide his emotion and poor Digger looking a bit lost.
Mum and Dad, I want you to know that I am well, and am happy. I don’t want you to be upset any more. I want you to remember the happy times, and loads of them we shared didn’t we? I love you both very much and we shared a magnificent 4 years together. I loved going in the car and travelled everywhere with you. One year, do you remember we went to John O’ Groats and then the next year we went to Lands End. I loved my holidays in the caravan. Each summer Digger and I always looked forward to our holidays.
I also loved going to the beach. If you went in for a swim mum, I was always right by your side – swimming a long side you, making sure you were ok in the choppy waters!
For all the toys you bought me, my favourite was always the large plastic Pepsi Max bottles! I would play with the bottles for ages with Digger chasing me!
The first 4 years of my life were not so good. I was miss-treated and then used as a breeding machine but mum and dad, my last (almost) 4 years with you were fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better family to choose and to be with.
And remember what the vet said the first time I visited him for a check up – he said ‘Sophie, you are going to a great home, where you will have all the love and care – you are the luckiest dog in the world’ and he was right. Within a few weeks of living with you both and Digger, I found my place. I soon realised that I could relax and be myself. I was able to show my love towards you both and show my personality off! I even had a character which was loved by you both.
I will miss you mum and dad, Digger too but I am happy here at Rainbow Bridge with Amber and all these lovely dogs. I will always watch over you.
Words cannot express our sorrow and sadness of loosing you! We only had you in our lives for 4 years but what joy you brought. You entertained us with your lovable character! No matter where we walked, you would always manage to throw yourself onto the grass onto your back and kick your legs up! All you wanted was your belly rubbed. And, the most striking thing about you Sophie no matter where we were or what we were doing you were always smiling! Your tongue would be hanging out with that big grin of yours! So adorable. It was almost as though you were trying to tell us how happy you were. But we knew you had found love and happiness as we did with you.
The pain of loosing you has broken our hearts and you have left a huge void in our lives, but the joy and happiness you brought to me, your dad and to Digger has been over whelming. You were wonderful. So loving, caring, intelligent – an ambassador to the breed. We miss you terribly and wish you were here with us. We will carry the memories of you with us for ever.
Darling Sophie, born a dog, died a lady, “our lady”
With all our love
Mum, Dad and Digger – sleep tight
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dougie >>
Posted: 15th April 2008
Hello Ena,
It’s been a few months now since Dougie crossed the Rainbow Bridge (end of January) but I had to write to thank you for allowing him to become part of our family. He brought us so much fun and happiness it’s almost impossible to describe how much he enriched our lives. Anyone who has met him will understand what I mean.
I can remember when he first came to us nearly 8 years ago as our daughter Jenny’s dog, full of life, ball in his mouth (that became his trademark!) and his tail wagging round and round so hard like the rotor blade of a helicopter that he was immediately nicknamed ‘Chinook’. When Jenny moved away from home to work, Dougie stayed at home with us. (Remember - possession is nine tenths of the law!)
Everywhere we went (and he often came on holiday with us) people would stop to admire him and ask what breed he was. We would laughingly reply that he was ‘a chocolate lab with his legs chopped off’ because as a lab/beagle cross, he looked quite unusual with the chocolate lab body and short beagle legs. Everyone described him as adorable, which made us even more proud of him, of course! We don’t actually think he ever realised he was a dog; we’re convinced he thought he was a human being!
Sadly two years ago he collapsed and was diagnosed with congenital heart problems. Thanks to the vets at Equipet, and especially to the dedication of his vet, Morven Shaw, he continued to have a good quality of life until near the end of last year, when he began to struggle – still strong in spirit but his body had become weak. In January it was finally time to let him go. No words can describe how much we still miss him but he has left us with so many happy memories.
Thank you Dougie XX
and thank you, Ena, for giving us such a special ‘wee man’,
Bill, Pauline and Jenny Marsland xxx
Lady >>
Posted: 5th April 2008
Hi, this is a pic of Lady when she first arrived at her new home.
Lady was seven years old when her mum adopted her, sadly we have just recieved a card to say that Lady has gone to the Bridge, she was fourteen years old. Thank you for giving Lady such a wonderful home I know you will miss her dreadfully, please take comfort that she had such a brilliant life with you and your family x.
Rest in Peace Daisy in the knowledge that you were such a well loved girl.
Lots of love
from Ena and all at Second Chance Kennels xx
Skippy >>
Posted: 17th March 2008
It was with great sadness we learned that wee Skippy who was ten years old when he went to stay with his mum and dad had passed over to the Bridge.
He was originally found lying beside his owner who had passed away. He came to stay with us but for just a short while as his mum & dad saw him on the web site and totally fell in love with him. What a wonderful life he had with them he has been to Ireland and all over the place in their mobile home. We would just have wished for a few more years for them all to spend together but it was not to be. Sleep in peace wee man you'll never know how much you were loved by all who knew you. Our thoughts are with your mum & dad at this very sad time
Love everyone at Second Chance xx
Rhona >>
Posted: 7th March 2008
Hello Ena
I don't know if you remember Rhona, the black labrador. She came to you November 2000 at only 10 wks old after having already having been in two different homes, one in which she was badly beaten. I called you on the off chance looking for a puppy for my children and you told us about Rhona who had come to you only the day before. My husband came to see her and instantly fell for her. You said it was unusual for you to do so but you let my husband bring Rhona home to us that day, and we all fell in love with her instantly.
Rhona was a poorly wee soul whom the vet told us may only live 6 months. She had very bad hip displaysia and suffered terrible psychological damage from the beatings she had. But we gave her all our love and did everything we could to get her fit and well. We brought her back a few times to see you, but the trauma always made her ill and we had to stop. Rhona grew into the most beautiful, loving and faithful dog and we had so much fun with our funny little girl.
Sadly Rhona became very ill at the start of the year and spent 3 weeks in the Dick Vet hospital where she was diagnosed with an inopreable insulinoma. We got her home at the end of January with the knowledge our Rhona would most probably only be with us for a short time, the cancer was extremely aggressive.
Last night Rhona went into a pre-fitting hypo state. We took her to the vet and asked that she put our baby to sleep to take away all her pain. We all knew the day would come when we would lose Rhona to the illness but it didn't make it any the less harder for us and we are devastated at the loss of our beautiful, faithful dog. We had seven wonderful years with Rhona, but our memories of her will last a life time.
I know you like to hear about the dogs you have helped give a new life to. It is sad though that this is such bad news were are giving you. Thank you for giving Rhona to us.
Catherine McCluskey
This wee girl had such a bad start in life but fell on all four paws when she went to stay with her new family who nursed her through thick and thin. We were so very very sorry to hear she had passed over to Rainbow Bridge and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.
Rest in peace Rhona, you were so loved by your family and by all who knew you.
