Friday, November 17, 2006

Farewell to a Warrior


Manny has finally passed on and I'm greatly saddened by my loss. He was given to me by a friend when I first retired, as a companion. He became so much more to me. I learned so much from him and he left knowing he was loved. The vet came to the house and gave him a happy shot so I could tell him all that he meant to me. He left this world looking into my eye's and was ready. Rest in peace my little man-dog! I love you!

Manny the Warrior

You were the sweetest gift I’ve ever
been given, full of love and devotion.
Coming into my life in God’s perfect
timing, to walk by my side in darkness.

You made me feel safe and strong,
as you prepared to fight beside me.
Love was your shield, loyalty as your

sword, bringing me into the light.

You struggled as you grew older but never
let it stop you from being my protector.
Fighting a separate battle of your own,
like the bravest of warriors til the very end.

You looked into my eye’s, as I held your
sweet head, saying all that was needed.
I felt your last breath against my skin
as I watched you leave through your eye’s.

You are everywhere and you are nowhere
yet I hear the silence like a loud roar.
Waves of sadness wash over my heart
as I look to the spaces you used to fill.

You left a hole in my heart that I must fill
with all you have brought to my life. I’ll
continuing to keep up the fight, knowing
you are there, always by my side.

32 comments:

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

tammy, I am so sad for you! But I know that if ANY of us have a "brightness of hope" for eternal life, we ALL do. Manny included. My thoughts and prayers are with you. All things "lost" will be restored, and you will look into Manny's eyes again. *Hugs*

turquoise cro said...

(((((Tammy))))) I'm so sorry to hear the sad news but Manny lives on in your heart forever! I'm glad he was there for YOU soooo many years! Lots of memories will help YOU get thru this sadness! Lots of LOVE and PRAYERS, XOXOOXOXO, Cinda

Helen said...

I have tears as I read this beautiful poem. What a true gift he was for you and he was a Warrior to the end. Sorry my Dear of your loss. I want to give you a Hug!

oxox

k said...

my mom has a "manny". his name is jake, and we're happy for whatever time we have left with him thanks for sharing your love with us.

JP (mom) said...

Dear Tammy,
What a beautifully poetic tribute to a much loved companion. Many loving thoughts for you as you grieve his loss.
much peace, JP

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Tammy. Holding you close in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

My heart aches for you in the loss of your valiant companion and protector. This is a beautfiul tribute to him ~~

Many, many hugs to you ~

Deb R said...

Oh, Tammy, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's a hard thing to lose such a brave and loving friend. {{{Tammy}}}

Anonymous said...

May Manny rest easy in your memories until you meet again.
And always know he is there urging a brave warrior on.

Anonymous said...

Tammy - I'm sad to hear about Manny. It is one of the hardest things I've been through in life to lose a cherished pet.

Please take good care of yourself as you grieve for Manny. My thoughts are winging their way to you!

Hugs,
Tammy

Chris said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Tammy. I know he left this world knowing you loved him very much. It's hard losing an animal. Know that I'm thinking about you girlfriend.

Anonymous said...

Oh honey, am so sorry. That is such sad news. Big hugs to you

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss, I too had tears in my eyes reading. What a wonderful poem! I dread the day my little 14 year old companion makes the journy. I can hardly bear the thought. Very nice blog you have here. Take good care my dear, love to you

vicci said...

I'm so sorry Tammy.....I can hardly stand to think of losing any one of my beloved pets....please take care.....

Belle said...

Tammy,

I came by to check on your blog thinking that you wouldn't be blogging because of the NaNoWriMo.

Happy surprise to see all the posts, but sad news about Manny.

All the best to you. Have a nice Thanksgiving. It is so refreshing to read all the things you are thankful for.

Rebekah said...

I know you will miss Manny every day, and think of him throughout the hours, although his presence will still be felt, always. I'm sending my warmest thoughts to you, and my love as you grieve the passing of your dear, dear friend.

Tabor said...

It is always hard when we lose a companion such as this. My dog passed on years ago and I still get a catch in my throat when I see a dog that looks like him.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear that, Tammy. He sounds a much-loved dog. I hope the memory of the happy times you had together will soon bring comfort.

Anonymous said...

I have not been able to access your blog for a few days now - I would only get a video for Grey's Anatomy....I finally was able to and see this sad post. I am so sorry Manny lost his fight and that you have lost your friend. When our dog Cherokee had to go we stayed with her too, stroked and whispered to her so that upon her exit she took with her the love we had shared for 14 years. I feel for you dear sweet Tammy. My heart is breaking for you, but just know Manny is running free!
Many hugs and much love,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

I'm so very sorry, Tammy! Having just lost Bear a few months ago, I know how you feel. It's so hard - but you were there with him, helping make it easier for him - bless you, sweetie! What a warrior - just like his master! And what a great final tribute you gave him. I think he's probably looking out for you still, and I'm sure he's grateful for all the time he had with you.
Peace and ((((hugs)))) - and more ((((hugs)))).
xo

paris parfait said...

Dearest Tammy I sent you an e-mail about the sad loss of Manny, but at the time I hadn't read this beautiful poem in tribute to the special place he held in your life. Thinking of you, dear heart. xo

sonia a. mascaro said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Tammy!
I have tears as I read your words about Manny and the poem, too.

I just found you through Tabor.

I wish you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

emmapeelDallas said...

Tammy,

I'm so sorry for your loss.

XO

Judi

Anonymous said...

Everything you wrote, Tammy -- about Manny, about the love you shared with him, the lessons you learned through opening your heart, through connecting with him in such a loving place ... how you said goodbye to him. .. your description and poem brought up so many feelings I tend to keep just underneath the surface. You know Sam is that old, too - 17 and no matter how I try to be prepared for the inevitable huge hole I'm gonna have one day ... no matter that I know it's coming, and coming someday soon my heart is still going to break in tiny pieces when Sam goes. Oh, I am sad just thinking of your loss. Sad for you, sad for myself.

Yet, for the times you have written about Manny and this beautiful heartfelt poems ... I guess some of my tears are for the sweetness in you. For the intimate way you helped him make the transition from this life into whatever is ahead for Manny. For the love you had for animal friend and guardian.

What you wrote: You are everywhere and you are nowhere yet I hear the silence like a loud roar.

I hope this doesn't all sound all foo-foo and trite. I guess I worry about that. But I will say it anyway, my feeling that in some ways you have not truly lost Manny. You know because you were so connected with him, so open to what you had to learn from him that you will have that inside your soul. You can't lose that.

I can't believe how much your photo of Manny with this post looks like our Sam. Maybe they were brothers.

Chris said...

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....

Author unknown...
Petloss.com

Chris
My Blog

Georgia said...

Tammy,

I came by not expecting any posts because of nanowrimo... but now I see there are a few.

I am soooooooo sorry about Manny, I am so sad fro you right now. I am sending you many many warm hugs.

xoxo
Georgia

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry Tammy. The loss of a much loved pet is as hard as the loss of any human you may love. The love and personality they bring to use is not easy to refill.

Anonymous said...

The shivers won't fade-they run up and down my spine as I write this-I am so sorry you lost such a wonderful companion. He was beautiful and lucky to have spent his life with such a wonderful momma and daddy as the two of you.

Hugs and much much love to you.

I am so proud of all your work writing. Keep going girl!
I am cheering you on.

Love you

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry Tammy that Manny passed away. He was a sweet dog (from what I read here) and it always is so painful when your fuzzy love passes on. Sending you love.

Sky said...

oh tammy, i am so sorry to read of your loss. your words so well describe mutual love, and i know you were the same blessing for manny that he was for you.

i know this loss you are feeling right now - it has been a part of my own life, too. having lost my 2 babies in the past, i know it only too well. as tabor said, even years later there is pain that can surface. :(

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to have come back to visit, and find this sad entry. It's a beautiful tribute that you wrote here. I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm happy for the many years of love you shared with the furry pal of yours.

Jimmy

Anonymous said...

Oh, dear one, I'm so sorry. I've been thinking about my precious dog-friend Rex lately and feeling his spirit, and I came to visit and saw this.

XOXOXOXO