Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked,
underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity
that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted
or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
~ Albert Schweitzer
A celebration and remembrance of the beloved animal companions of members of our community who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2007.
Bailey (beloved companion of DMiller)
Of course, we all noticed you were slowing down. You had to be reminded to eat your whole dinner and the boy had to sit with you sometimes and pet you to make sure you would actually eat it. After all, you were a big dog and 14 years old is ancient for a great big yellow lab like you. You were taking daily meds for arthritis and thyroid. Your joints were stiff and you had lumps and bumps, but we all loved you. The "baby", now a big boy, loved you like a brother. I don't know what he's going to do without you. You've been there for him every day of his life.
This morning you got up and took your morning swim in the pool and laid down on the back porch for a nap. You died peacefully, once again making it easy for all of us.
We will miss you so much Bailey.
Good dog.
A Eulogy for Bailey
Cotton (beloved companion of va dare)
His name was 'Cotton' - he was feisty but more playful than mean. He was stolen, his collar left in my driveway - our neighbors saw it but didn't get a license plate. Two weeks later, the sheriff brought me a photo of a dog-corpse 'dump' and he was there...
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Jasper and George (beloved companions of shermanesq)
You two be at peace, and take care of each other. Jasper, and George. I'll see you when I do... Have fun romping where you will, I know you will. I'm glad you are together again...
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Kitten Little (beloved companion of BeninSC)
Those of you who know me are familiar with my beloved cat, KittenLittle, and the great importance I attach to the relationship with her. She had been with me for twenty years - over half of my adult life - when she died in my lap early this afternoon.
This diary is my way of paying small tribute to the joy and brilliance she brought to my life over those fine years. I can't begin to describe the ways in which she touched me, in which she helped me grow, but I still have to write this.
Unfamiliar Moon
Lady (beloved companion of Runs With Scissors)
(Lady with her friend, the Rogue Labrador)
So goodbye, my beautiful girl. You were such a sweet and loving girl. I especially enjoyed you helping me with the weeding, sitting like you would at my side and looking so regal. And I'm grateful I was able to make your last years at least a little fun.
My Dog Died
Major (beloved companion of silvercedes)
We've had a bad week here. Our old golden retriever, Major passed away this morning after a short battle with spleen cancer that was discovered last Friday.
DH did not get to say goodbye to him since he's in Iraq. Very sad here, and our other two dogs know Major is not coming home. Our home is feels a little empty tonight. Major has been with me through deployments to Somalia and Bosnia and I was so hoping he'd make it until DH got back.
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Top Comments: In Honor of Major Edition
Mr. Nicky (beloved companion of blue jersey mom)
This is not really a political diary. It is a tribute to one of my oldest and dearest friends. Late last night, as I held him in my arms, my cat Mr. Nicky crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Goodbye, Mr. Nicky: A Cat Tale
Oscar (beloved companion of Pandoras Box)
Pigbeast (beloved companion on Argyrios)
You were a good guinea pig, Pigbeast. You were enormous. I got you during my junior year of college and named you Pigbaby, in homage to the cult cartoon show Invader Zim. But you grew big and fat, until you were fourteen inches from nose to tailless butt, and so we started calling you Pigbeast instead. You were a kingly beast.
Yes, there are many things going on in the world today much more tragic than the death of a rodent. But today, kossacks, please take a moment to hold your pet, to love him or her, and to remember that their time is more limited than ours. We must appreciate how they enrich our lives and give us perspective. Please take that moment, for Pigbeast, and give your pet some extra love today.
Goodbye, Pigbeast
Samantha (beloved companion of srkp23)
Sandy (beloved companion of Ellicatt)
Ziti (beloved companion of CTMET)
I had to put her to sleep this week. My first cat. My first animal I had as an adult. We got her before I finished grad school, got married, had my son (now 11). We have had her in three different homes. She has seen three other pets our ours come and go. She was the shy, but beautiful little Calico hidden under a table in the shelter. She came home with us and started to nuzzle at our legs. This feels like the end of an era.
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More beloved friends (from the comments):
Taylor Ray (beloved friend of jainm)
Sundance (beloved companion of delphine)
Pumpkin (beloved companion of 1864 House)
Ollie (beloved companion of 4Freedom)
Max (beloved companion of lrhoke)
Lindsey (beloved companion of lrhoke)
Bear (beloved companion of chrississippi)
Mr Funny (beloved companion of Claude)
Mukluk (beloved companion of Frankenoid)
Kole (beloved companion of switzerblog)
Whitechin (beloved companion of exmearden)
Peabody (beloved companion of labradog)
Brady Boy (beloved companion of internationaljock)
Bless our animal companions, who bring us such joy.
And now on to Top Comments:
From ezdidit:
This hilarious celebration of Rec-List goodness from kath25.
From OrangeClouds115:
This very insightful comment on immigration from shirah.
From sardonyx:
In responding to a Magnifico comment entitled Miami Herald to outsource to India, Horsefeathers delivers a word of warning. All from Limelite's Overnight News Digest -- Meanwhile, in Miami.
Don in NYC tells us his theory about pundits in a front-page diary from Kagro X, More failed "leadership," please! On white toast with mayo.
Widdiedawg elaborates on vocal persuasive techniques used by pastors and lawyers, among others; there's more info downthread, too. From brownsox's front-page diary Mike Huckabee's incisive grasp of foreign policy.
This post from 1864 House on the best comment this Christmas made me smile. It's from aegeanta's diary It's my Birthday...and I'm Pregnant!
My picks:
Patriot4peace had a very sad encounter with a pig.
Lepanto, with something every diary needs.
The Raven has a Bush-translation device PLUS a nonsequitur pootie.
Dear blue jersey mom: I could not possibly agree more.
Ray Radlein, however, does not.
Turkana has an excellent suggestion for bringing an end to the candidate diaries.
Tonight's Top Mojo (courtesy of the ever-gallant Sir Sardonyx):
Top Mojo excluding search-identifiable tip jars and first diary comments:
1) If this ever happens by Owllwoman — 91
2) Good Diary by Ranting Roland — 88
3) I am so sorry to hear this, prodigal. by panicbean — 85
4) Yep by bonddad — 79
5) This is why we need universal health care by blue jersey mom — 77
6) Eating Your Seed Corn Theory of Economics by RepubAnon — 75
7) My conversion to Edwards came by klw1963 — 74
8) Yes, vote Edwards by vigilant meerkat — 74
9) Hell, I want John Edwards for my president! by panicbean — 73
10) I am not Bill Scher! by Kayakbiker — 73
11) excerpt from Ed Fallon letter supporting JRE by desmoinesdem — 70
12) Just a note to EVERYONE by Granny Doc — 65
13) there are a "few good men left" I SALUTE by testvet6778 — 63
14) Next time you screw up... by Trix — 60
15) I Commend Lt Commander Williams Resignation by greenskeeper — 58
16) Thanks. The only hope we have, is by Gary Norton — 57
17) Best Wishes by paul2port — 56
18) I noticed this about Edwards with Musharraf by pioneer111 — 56
19) I'm glad you are OK, by Babsnc — 55
20) Don't forget to make clear by ManfromMiddletown — 54
21) That is John Edwards for you. by panicbean — 53
22) This man is an American hero. by GMFORD — 52
23) when will the Media actually they DO THEIR Jobs? by jamess — 52
24) Medical repayment options. by grog — 51
25) Robots by drewfromct — 51
26) putting on my hat and snow boots again by desmoinesdem — 50
27) Prodigal I will crochect you a new blanket by MadAsHellMaddie — 50
28) I'm happy to by Larry Kissell — 50
29) I know I was really lucky by prodigal — 46
30) Don't worry. by TomP — 46
31) This is something that affected me personally. by blue jersey mom — 46
Top Mojo with No Exclusions:
1) Tip Jar by prodigal — 393
2) This is my first candidate diary by TocqueDeville — 347
3) Tips against torture. by Gary Norton — 307
4) tips for a strong messenger by desmoinesdem — 166
5) Tip Jar by gjohnsit — 164
6) We must remember by Larry Kissell — 151
7) Tip jar by Brandon Friedman — 146
8) Tips for real by TomP — 142
9) Tip Jar - 30 December by Jerome a Paris — 120
10) Tip Jar by flubber — 105
11) Didn't want answers to go unanswered... by VirginiaDem — 104
12) Tips for JRE kicking ass? by cosbo — 99
13) Tips to change the system by Populista — 98
14) Thank you all for everything by AndyT — 92
15) If this ever happens by Owllwoman — 91
16) Good Diary by Ranting Roland — 88
17) I am so sorry to hear this, prodigal. by panicbean — 85
18) Tip Jar III by RiverCityMadman — 79
19) Yep by bonddad — 79
20) This is why we need universal health care by blue jersey mom — 77
21) Tips for by Ellinorianne — 77
22) Eating Your Seed Corn Theory of Economics by RepubAnon — 75
23) My conversion to Edwards came by klw1963 — 74
24) Yes, vote Edwards by vigilant meerkat — 74
25) I am not Bill Scher! by Kayakbiker — 73
26) Hell, I want John Edwards for my president! by panicbean — 73
27) excerpt from Ed Fallon letter supporting JRE by desmoinesdem — 70
28) Already Diaried by Ray Radlein — 65
29) Just a note to EVERYONE by Granny Doc — 65
30) there are a "few good men left" I SALUTE by testvet6778 — 63
31) Tip jar by Newsie8200 — 63
Got a Top Comment? Send it to Top Comments at gmail dot com before 9:30 pm EST. And don't forget to include your screen-name, so that we can give you a proper tip of the hat.