6TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO TAILS MEMORIAL

6th Annual Tribute to Tails Candlelight Memorial - Keep your pencil and calendar close-by!

A special event honoring our beloved furry four-legged friends.

December 13, 2008, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis Episcopal Church, San Antonio, TX
(210) 216-0920.

Come experience a VERY unique and inspiring event, including:

-Beautiful inspirational music

-Mighty messages of hope

-A fascinating candlelight memorial

-A blessing of the animals

-A special visit from Santa Paws and Mrs. Claws

Free to the community

Brought to you by the SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio (Since 2003) For more information about this year's Tribute to Tails, please contact Julie at (210) 216-0920, or e-mail to: SappyPetLoss@sbcglobal.net

A Dog's Purpose

A story written by a veterinarian: Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound named Belker.The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.

They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me.

I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.Be loyal.Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

In Memory of Our Sappy

We Love you, SAPPY
I can't believe it's been five years since our precious Sappy went to Heaven. Sappy, our white longhaired 14-year-old Chihuahua, took his last breath on earth on Monday, August 4, 2003, at 12:20 p.m. I can still remember holding his beautiful little head in my hands, with my voice whispering, "I love you," into his small furry ears. He seemed very comfortable knowing I was right next to him, where he always felt the safest.

Tears rolled down my face, as he left this earth. I could almost see God's angels carrying him in their arms to Heaven. We know without a doubt, our little furry boy went to Heaven. I tried to be strong, but deep inside, I was breaking into a million pieces. He was no longer here on earth. His tiny body layed lifeless, but I know his little soul and spirit are very much alive in the City of God.

I can see him with my faith - he's running through God's wonderful streams of crystal blue and green water and standing tall on the Lord's beautiful pastures. He's playing in God's gardens and resting in soft green grass, next to other dogs and cats, including:

Frieda, Rosie, Delight, Starbuck, Max, Megan, Muffin, Abby, Scoobey, Curly, Roscoe, Gracie, Barney, Mickey, Lady, Ninja, Samson, Charlie, Chance, Mickey, Minnie, Junior, Lulu, Pink, Freddy, Pops, Coco, Furball, Tori, Kit Kat, Maggie, Aspen, Cheetah, Sparkle, Moxie, Ranger, Rockie, Pranser, Sebastian, Pookie, Jasper, Devin, Friday, Daisy Mae, Ralph, Pugoet, Cashew, Sayrah, Angus, Tess, Grace, Little, Cassie, Jasmin, Mia, Nala, Megan, Bruce, Bitsy, Lucy, Buckie, Teegie, Sadie, Buddy, Sparky, Bear, Shadow, Punky, Nikki, Will, Shotz, AC, Bucki, Mandi, Rick, Kati, Chloe, Benito, Fluffy, Marcus, Lucky, Blackie, Bandit, Sugar, Cheddar, Boo Boo, Dilan, Sratch, Fries, Jake, Jodie, Abbie, Apollo, Toni, Kipli, Chula, Petey, Ricky, Chili, Rebel, The Beagle, Madeleine, JoJo, Angel, Henry, Teddy, Oliver, Missy Lou, Celeste, and many, many, many others...

Seconds after our Sappy was gone to Rainbow Bridge (Heaven), we walked out of the veterinarian's clinic, leaving our boy's little body in the hands of our veterinarian friend. We had Sappy cremated by wonderful people whom we trust with all of our hearts.

I felt so empty, alone and extremely numb (shocked). That day really did happen. Reality hit me like a ton of bricks. Everything on earth has an ending. Sooner or later, we will all have to leave this earth. But there's always hope! Hope tells us that through a relationship with Jesus Christ, we will see our pets again. Hope tells us that someday, in God's own timing, we will be reunited with those who've died in Christ. Hope tells us that, all things are possible. And, that should give us the strength to carry on each new day without our precious four-legged furry friends, like our Sappy.

Our hope is in Christ, alone. We know without a doubt that we shall see Sappy again! And, that gives us great peace and puts a BIG smile on our faces! Sappy left this earth, but never has he left our hearts. He lives deep within our hearts every day and every minute of our lives.

Thank you, God and thank you, Sappy, for touching our lives and for changing our hearts to see the beauty in all living creatures - great and small.We miss you and we will see you at the gates of Heaven on that glorious day.

Dad & Mom (Jim & Julie Wiley)August 4, 2008 - 5 Year Anniversary - Sappy in Heaven

Please click here to listen to song paying tribute to our Sappy boy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdXT-v2hPUA

Buddy finds a home

Buddy

Two Paws Up to Rescue Team

Buddy finally found the home he always dreamed of. He often dreamed of a time when he would sleep in a warm bed, eat good food and be protected from dangerous diseases by getting vaccinated. His dream came true through Marissa and Derrick; and through the assistance of Frank and Maureen.

It all happened when Marissa, Julie and Christin, were driving and running errands one weekend. They spotted Buddy tied to a fence - no tags and no one around. The three ladies passed him by and wondered if maybe he belong to someone, so they went their way. After several hours, they drove by again to see if Buddy was still there. He was.

So, they hopped out of their car and discovered that he was indeed abandoned. They untied him from the link chained fence where he was poorly tied. His collar was broken and he was unbelievably matted. Poor boy! This was no doubt a VERY cruel act by some selfish human. We took him home, bathed him and fed him.

Marissa and Derrick adopted him and Frank and Maureen funded his vaccines and neuter surgery. Today, he's the HAPPIEST dog on the face of this earth. He's a success story and a prayer answered. His dream came true! He loves to play catch and loves kissing his mommy and daddy. He is one blessed pooch.

Thank you, Marissa, Derrick, Frank and Maureen for Stepping Up! Two paws up to YOU! You made one four-legged furry friend's life much better. God bless you for reaching out to him.

In Memory of Max - July 24, 2002

MAX

My boy,my powerful boy.
You were born an original and died that way.
Long days have passed since you have been gone.

I know you are with me and
when my time comes I pray
you will be one of the first to
to greet me...

We who choose to surround
ourselves with lives even more
temporary than our own,live within a fragile circle...

Love, your mommy, Boni.
In Memory of Max
July 24, 2002 (Gone to Rainbow Bridge)

We are their ONLY voice!

SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group Schedule 2008

The SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of San Antonio (Since 2003) gathers every 4th Tuesday of the Month, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at The English Tea Shoppe, 6877 Bandera Road, San Antonio, Texas. Participants are invited to bring poems, stories and photographs of their beloved pets for a time of sharing, only if they're ready. No one is pressured to share, unless they choose to. Each person is unique and deal with grief differently. There is no timetable to grief. Grief can last from six months to several years. No one should feel ashamed to grieve when a pet dies. It's perfectly normal to go through a season of grief because for many of us, our pets aren't just pets, they are part of the family - YOUR family! And, they will always be part of your life, because they will live-on within your heart, forever!


Our Schedule:

- January 22

- February 26

- March 25

- April 22

- May 27

- June 24

- July 22

- August 26

- September 22

-October 28

- November 25

- December 23

6th Annual Tribute to Tails Memorial (Date/Location to be Announced)

Sponsored by the SAPPY Pet Loss & Grief Support Group of SA

For more information about our group, please call (210) 216-0920 or email to SappyPetLoss@sbcglobal.net