Wednesday 6 March 2013

Words for Horse Lovers



Words are hard to find when someone dies. We struggle to say something that will provide comfort, when we know that nothing we can say will really help. Often we don't say anything, worried that our words won't be good enough.

I find myself in a similar situation when making my horse sympathy cards. I am the first to admit that I am more animal respecter than animal lover. But my sister is a true animal lover. Her whole life is devoted to making their lives (and deaths, sometimes) better.  Over the years, I have collected some good 'horse sympathy' sentiments like the ones used in these cards, from  Door County Rubber Stamps, along with the Starving Artistamps horse image.

When I made this card a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea how much meaning it could have for animal lovers. I made it as a cheerful card, but my sister immediately saw something else. A rainbow is the subject of a poem about animals, and is the perfect imagery for pet sympathy cards.


The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.


© 1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky. All Rights Reserved



23 comments:

  1. That rainbow is breathtaking!
    Hugs
    x

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  2. Beautiful post and beautiful cards, Ardy!! TFS.

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  3. Beautiful cards and a very beautiful poem.

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  4. Beautiful cards and a very beautiful poem.

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  5. Amazing. Absolute perfection.

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  6. From a fellow animal respecter, this is beautifully put ... the cards are just lovely, full of warmth and comfort. Anita :)

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  7. Who would have thought there would be such meaningful stamps about horses. I thought at first they were computer generated. The card is ....I don't know the word for it but I love it.

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  8. Beautiful rainbow for a beautiful heartfelt card.

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  9. I'm speechless with these amazing sentiments! I LOVE the card with those rainbow swipes of color and horse image! Perfection!!

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  10. Beautiful cards and lovely poem. TFS

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  11. Beautiful cards...Sympathy cards are very hard so I understand where you are coming from.

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  12. Beautiful card...I love that rainbow!

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  13. As a dog lover, I am amazed by the beauty of these condolence cards. How wonderful for you to do these for your sister to give to clients. I guarantee her clients greatly appreciate them.

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  14. Very nice horse sympathy cards. I like the rainbows, sentiments, and horse stamp. The poem is touching, too. I'm thinking a card w/a rainbow would be nice on a sympathy card for a person, as well. TFS :)

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  15. This is beautiful! Love the various colors of the rainbow on your card!

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  16. Beautiful post and cards, Ardyth! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. I also love rainbows-they bring happiness in any situation :) like yourself, I am more an animal respecter than lover, but I do understand that people do get very attached to their animals and these cards are just perfect :)

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  18. Being a totally ridiculous extreme animal lover...the poem got me! However, I cry at parades too.....

    The rainbow is absolutely breath taking! The message and the beauty of the cards will definitely bring comfort to your sister's clients.

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  19. Just like Geri above, I am on the extreme lover side and the poem got me too. The card is wonderful.
    Lura

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  20. I've been familiar with the Rainbow Bridge poem for a long time and have also seen some great horse lover's sentiments, but I don't believe I've seen the one on your horse card before. It brought tears to my eyes. I've had two cats during my life that I loved dearly. but my husband is the biggest animal lover I've ever known. He has owned a tremendous number of horses, dogs and cats over his lifetime... most of them before we were together. Now, we have only 2 horses and just lost our dear cat, Rocky last month. The horses and this one last cat were so important to my husband when he was alone after going through a terrible life changing experience. I have experienced by watching my husband with his animals what a strong bond there can be between man and animal. I'm sure your beautiful cards mean more than you even know to many who receive them.

    And just a side note. I often read your blog post from the e-mail I receive as a subscriber, so only visit your blog occasionally. This is the first time I've noticed the big, red Pinterest logo appear when I place my mouse pointer over a photo on your blog. I use a magnifying mouse so must move my mouse pointer over pictures and print to be able to read it and that logo blocks things and is really annoying. For example, the only way I could read the poem on your card was in the e-mail. When I tried to read it on your blog the logo was blocking parts of several lines of the poem. I doubt there is, but is there some way I can turn that off for my own viewing of your blog? I've only had this logo show up on one other blog so far. I sure hope it's not coming to all blogs or I may give up reading them. I enjoy Pinterest also, but this is taking it too far.

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  21. These are beautiful, Ardyth!! You are one wonderful sister and must love your sister very much...your collection of horse cards has been amazing:)!!!!

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  22. What a beautiful poem and the soft, rainbow colors are perfect!

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  23. Indeed, rainbows are a great match for a pet sympathy card. Well maybe not all rainbows, but the soft, wispy one you have on this card is just right. Beautiful!

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