I STOOD BESIDE YOUR BED LAST NIGHT

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

Ebony you will be in my heart forever and a day.

IN OUR HEARTS

We thought of you with love today.
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday.
And days before that too.

We think of you in silence.
We often speak your name.
Now all we have is memories.
And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake.
With which we'll never part.
God has you in his keeping.
We have you in our heart.

Author: Unknown

This memorial was printed in a paper that Judy's stepbrother 
puts out bi-monthly. It would not scan clearly so
I retyped it so it could be included on this page.

We off this tribute to our Ebony, our family pet, with four furry paws and a heart so giving and full of love. Ebony's heritage was descendant of a breeding to rout out rats on ships and barges in Belgium.  His breed was recognized as Schipperke, although he may of had a slight mix of mutt attibuting to his longer then usual fur. My Mother actually came across Ebony in Hawaii, as a "lost" dog whose owners never sought to claim him. When Mother phoned to see if we could provide this lost dog a home, we readily said yes, as we felt we about to lose our first dog Scruffy, 15 years old at the time. It's hard to believe that almost fifteen years have passed since Ebony arrived at Patrick Henry Airport via overnight express and wormed his way into our lives and hearts. He took immediately to Scruffy and wanted to be his "best buddy", but Scruffy was just exasperated with this young "whippersnapper" who was too frisky too suit him... although in the remaining time that was Scruffy's they grew to an acceptance and companionship. We've had such wonderful memories throughout the years ... the way Ebony would take the bell hanging from his collar into his mouth whenever he wanted to display satisfaction or happiness with what was going on ... the way he "danced" in a circle, sit up, roll over, or "speak" when he wanted a special treat or daily vitamin to be placed on his nose and when given the verbal "ok", he would toss it up in the air and then catch it in his mouth. These are just a few of the special "tricks" he allowed us to teach him and the memories he has given us. We miss him dearly. It was agonizing to see him suffering from complications of kidney failure and canine diabetes. But his crossing the Rainbow Bridge has alleviated his discomfort...no more insulin injections twice daily to regulate his blood sugars...no more enticing him to eat a medical diet rather then the "people" food he so preferred...he now can frolic in the grasses and beaches that he so loved during his longer years. Memories...life is made of such... and we are thankful for the privilege to have had Ebony create and be a part of so many of ours!                      Judy and Steve Windham

 Read about Ebony's Life as a Diabetic

  Read About Other Pets With Diabetes