Some of you know that we live in an area where the ground is frozen for 2/3 of the year. So when a glider goes to the Bridge in winter, we have to wait for the ground to thaw, and the roads to open, then make a 30 mile drive and hike a mile in, in order to bury our babies in a place worthy of them (we live in an apartment, so the "yard" isn't an option. We buried Gim last Sunday (he died Jan. 10), and I wanted to share the pics. Snow came early this year, and we nearly missed the window. So I'll post pics from last Sun, and from Peek's burial, who is right next to Gim, to show you what the area looks like in late spring/summer.
Gimli was a rescue, who had been thrown into walls, squished, his tail pulled off, his jaw broken, his hips dislocated. He was a pitbull biter when we first brought him home, for about 6 months. The last time he bit, you could see in his face he expected to be thrown...but I unattached him from my husband's bleeding hand with a dishtowel, and gently set him, towel and all, in his cage. When he climbed out, you could see the wonder in his eyes...that was the end of the biting. He died at 2 yrs old, and was brought back with CPR. Although we knew he had liver damage from before we got him (likely from the abuse) and when it failed there was nothing that could be done, we loved him while he was here. He made the final trip to the Bridge at 4 years old this last January, and is finally at rest, buried next to our Peekster near Crystal Lake, UT.
First, this is the song I rewrote for our little pitbull rescue that patience turned into one of the most loving of our gliders.
From Oh, L'Amour (Erasure)
Oh, L'Amour Broke my heart, now I'm aching for you Oh, L'Amour What is one in love supposed to do?
Looking for you You were looking for me I was reaching for you They were too blind to see Oh love of my heart Why leave me alone? I'm falling apart No good on my own
Oh, L'Amour Broke my heart, and now I'm aching for you Oh, L'Amour What is one in love supposed to do?
They threw you away Why couldn't they see? I just left for the day And you came home with me There once was a time That you're here by my side Although I wasn't your kind I was there for the ride
Oh, L'Amour Broke my heart, and now I'm aching for you Oh, L'Amour What is one in love supposed to do?
They deceived us with lies Gimli was your new name From the damage you died And they are to blame Oh love of my heart You're at the bridge now Your death tore me apart I hurt inside out
Oh, L'Amour Broke my heart,and I'm still missing you Oh, L'Amour What is one in love supposed to do?
Oh, L'Amour Broke my heart, and now I'm still missing you Oh, L'Amour What is one in love supposed to do?
Here is the link to the tune (It's the first song under the song titles): http://music.msn.com/search/all/?ss=Oh+L%27amour
I still think of him and cry, and miss my little tailess rescue that went through so much in his short life.
These first pics are of Gim...the first one is the day he came home, and are just a small glimpse of his life.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Jen, What a beautiful beautiful person you are! If only people could see the love that's given for these little angels.......how in heavens name can someone be so hurtful to such an innocent little animal....The place that you have chosen for you little ones couldn't be more perfect...I hope that when each person reads this that they will "stop" for a moment of silence to pay respect. Thank-you for being there for him....
Jen, what a beautiful spot for these angels to be laid to rest! If only all of the abused babies were as lucky to find such an understanding caring person to give them the love they deserve for the rest of their days!
What a beautifly place for a resting place. I am so sorry, I know there is not many words that help with the pain of loss, my thoughts are with you and your family. Thank you for helping the gliders! Angie
Gimli and his history while so tragic of a start, ended to soon, yet ended in a way we can only wish for each and every glider, ended with knowing love. His life ended with more love, both that which he gave and that which he received, than many of us will never know.
Gimli is the reason I know I could never turn away a glider and why I know, regardless of their history, each of these precious babies can learn to trust and can learn to let themselves love again. Gimli is the reason I will give all I am and have to help these little ones that come to me. We just have to never give up and to never let them think we consider them hopeless because Gimli proves to me, that NO glider is hopeless.
Gimli touched my soul and changed me, made me a better person. This was his gift to many of us I believe and perhaps why he had to endure so much in the first half of his life. Much as Jesus had to suffer so that we could learn the lessons He taught of love and compassion. Know that Gimli is receiving his rewards now and those rewards are beyond measure.
Gimli was an angel sent to teach us and has returned to his spirit form again but his love and the lessons he taught will always remain with us.
620-704-9109 Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.
I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Jen that is truely an amazing and beautiful place to lay his precious body and soul to rest. May we all learn from his story and may we never forget all that rescue people do for these wonderful animals. And in case I was not crying hard enough T's words made sure I was. Every time I hear Tim McGraw's "My Old Friend" song I always think of Gimli Thank You all for caring so much.
Last edited by BCChins; 10/15/0606:03 PM.
Have a Good Day Brenda & Mr. Magoo
Friendly Reminder please have an e-collar ready before you need it......
Oh Jen, such a beautiful place for the babies. It could almost be the "bridge" it is so beautiful and peaceful. They will have everlasting painfree peace now and angels to watch over them and all the little suggies at the bridge to play with. What a wonderful thing to do for them.
What a beautiful resting place!!!! I have a place picked out also for mine (God forbid) anything happen to them. Its not quiet as pretty. I know its hard to loose a loved one -family, friend ,or pet. They still have special place in our hearts.
You are such a wonderful person to take him in and give him such a good home until it was time for him to pass on. It breaks my heart that anyone would treat any glider or any animal that way. God bless you for what you do.
The place that you buried him is beautiful. We have to put my dog Mikki down this weekend and we are going to bury her in the park near our house in the most beautiful spot we can find. I will say some prayers for Gimli too and think of you while we pay our respects.
My condolences for the loss of Gimli. It sounds like he was a very special glider and you are very special for caring for him.
Jen Gimli had such a tough life before he found you and in the short time he was with you learned of love that knows no bounds and sees no "defects" only the shining sweet soul within. His resting place is beautiful and I know his soul is in an even more beautiful place.
Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties
My Angels: You are always in my heart.
You've flown to the rainbow and wait there for me Someday I will join you together to be
Re: Gimli's Funeral
[Re: glidrz5]
#157858 10/16/0612:52 AM10/16/0612:52 AM
Thanks, everyone. Taking him out of the freezer and going to bury him wasn't easy-it brought all the pain crashing back again. That deep ache in the chest that feels like someone put a big hole there. I really miss him-he was so special.
And yes, we posted "My Old Friend" the day he died-both of these fit him so well-I had a hard time deciding in Jan, and struggled with one verse of Oh, L'Amour for months. I get teary almost every time I listen to either one-remembering how much he loved to come out and run all over us, and how much he loved his girls. I'm honored for him that that was remembered! Later today when I get home from work, I'll repost the words to "My Old Friend", as an edit to this post.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
I am sorry for your loss. It never is easy the first time and I know it was like loosing him again. The pain does ease though we never forget it just gets easier to go through it. My prayers are with you and now I believe in my heart of hearts although he does not know anyone else I feel he is happy where he is and just maybe my sister is watching over him. It always broke my heart to loose a pet it would tear me to shreds untill I lost someone I love and then it taught me that although it hurts it isn't forever one day I will be with all of them again and that's what helps me get through! Best wishes to you.
I can not believe people can be so cruel. You can see in your little Gimli's eyes that he had such a gentle soul. I have tears in my eyes while writing this. I'm so sorry for your loss and can't imagine what you are going through. I have said a prayer for you and your little Gimli who we all know is in an even better place.
I hope you feel better Jen.. from reading this post I can tell just how much of a great mommy you were to him, and he was the luckiest glider in the world to have that.
Through lots of tears all I can say is, Dancing said it all beautifully and you have laid to rest two loving souls and they will be waiting for you one day! God bless you and I will say a special prayer for you tonight in hopes that all will get better. Or at least easier to deal with.