Rainbow Bridge is dedicated to those that have touched our lives and await for us....

Rainbow Bridge

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...

CH Shade MTN's American Patriot JH, RA (Ben) came to me as a puppy of 9 weeks. He was my first GSP and touched my life in so many ways. I was hit head on by a driver that did not think that red meant that they really did need to stop. Ben was there for me always, even at a young age. If I fell, he help me up. I shared my joy and my tears with him. He was my best friend and partner. At the age of 9 months, he recieved his JH, with mom gimping along on crutches. He would hold his point for what seemed an eternity to me. Ben was service trained and certified at 9 months as well. He was also certified as a pet therapy dog. Ben helped me to raise Dee's litter of 12 pups that went on to qualify CH Wynson's afternoon Delight as the Dam of the Year. He passed on his great temperment to all those puppies and was a great "mom." He took the pups on walks and showed them the ropes with the birdies. All 6 that were given the chance to earn their JH did so by the age of 15 months with great style and ease. Ben was a work in progress for agility, with mom being the limiting factor. He was so fast that he was requiring to be fully trained to even start in the ring for handling purposes. After finishing his championship, Ben started his career in Rally. He recieved his RN and RA in two back-to-back weekends in 6 straight performances with the assstance of Todd Knouf as pilot... mom was once again injured. I was getting Ben ready for RE when he started to have problems with his back. He deteriorated rapidly and was with great heart-ache euthanized at the young age of 3.5 years. Bone cancer to the back was the diagnosis. Ben is buried next to my friend Diana Chapman's companions that she lost during the same time frame... Banner and Bianca.
There will never be another Ben.