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Ted -Beloved Gift

Ted -Beloved Gift We have walked so many roads together Through sunny afternoons on dusty pathways with the breeze; Traveled many miles through your fourteen years To grassy fields of dogs shows where you became a champion; Now the minutes and the miles - precious memories - Playing Sandy in a production of Annie - never missed a cue; To carry with me as I go my way Your joy for life my forever companion; You taught my heart the music of a love song As you jumped up each day to greet me with a wet kiss; Then sang each word to leave it in my heart With a wagging tail in a celebration of perpetual motion; When my road gets long, I will sing your song Of chasing squirrels and toys - rolling over to scratch your back on the lawn; Remembering my gift of God Theodore Edgar Bear - your name means gift of God; Now the time for us to part on an August day Too soon to go our separate ways; I pray that as you close your loving eyes You hear your creator say to you; Beloved - I cherish you - creation of my heart Beloved - Precious one - Good and faithful friend. For Hullabaloo the Masked Man - Champion Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier - Mr. Ted

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Constance La France

Date: 8/31/2020 10:37:00 AM

Sam, congratulations on your win in my All Pets Go to Heaven challenge, a very emotional write _Constance

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/31/2020 1:11:00 PM

Thank you Constance for your congratulations and your placement! This was a difficult theme as I still miss Ted even though Paddy is a special joy! I almost didn't enter but I am so glad I did. It seems Beloved has touched many hearts. Ted would have wanted it that way - me too! The poem is based on a song I wrote for Ted before Paddy bounced into our hearts. Blessings to you. Thanks for all you do here on the soup!

Hilo Poet

Date: 8/25/2020 8:06:00 PM

I am embrassed for the simplistic word as "touching", albeit, Theodore Edgar Bear gifts Heaven rewrapped in 14 years of your loving devotion, Sam. He waits for you with fellow peers and alike, at the foot of Rainbow Bridge, playfully wanting for naught, Heaven's Grace blissfully extends until he hears your beck and call--stay well my friend, Aloha! William

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/31/2020 1:05:00 PM

,"Touching" will do just fine my friend. I am deeply honored, and touched, by your gracious words! Every time I think of finding Ted, along with Taffy, Snickers and even Kahlua - our brat dog, at the Rainbow Bridge the tears return. But that thought is so comforting. It must be a lovely place. All the best. Aloha!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/25/2020 12:32:00 PM

- A poem that touches me :) - Congratulations on your win, Sam :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/31/2020 1:00:00 PM

Thank you Anne-Lise. This poem is based on so many memories of Ted's fourteen years. I used a song that I wrote for him as the foundation for the parallel stanzas - a read between the lines poem. Even after all of these years, his memory still brings tears. All the best my friend!

Rob Carmack

Date: 8/24/2020 4:45:00 PM

"Playing Sandy in a production of Annie - never missed a cue;" nice. Congrats Sam.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/31/2020 12:56:00 PM

Thank you so much for your congrats and your message, Rob. As a show dog Ted loved being on stage and inhaled applause! All the best!

Panagiota Romios

Date: 8/23/2020 12:15:00 AM

Sam..I have had 15 cats and three dogs in my life. I had a wire hared fox terrier when I was young. Wonderful dog. It's hard to part with them. Your writing is superb and tugs at my heart. Hope this morphs into a POTD, A FAV for sure xxx Panagiota xx

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/25/2020 4:13:00 PM

Strange things on the soup! I see my message to you never transmitted! Thank you for your gracious words! I am honored by your "fav!" My mom had a smooth hair fox terrier - Tag-a-long! I thought you might be a fellow animal lover! We have had four cats and five dogs! Hope your air is getting clearer - we can see blue sky! Prayers and hugs to you!

John Watt

Date: 8/22/2020 5:15:00 PM

I am reaching for the tissue as I write this. Okay... now I can type. I'm not surprised that you would have a singing dog (*wink*) , nor that he would be a star of the stage, nor that you would have multiple nicknames for your canine companion. I was surprised at how much this impacted me, though. I'm very grateful for your writing, I hope you have gleaned that from my comments, my friend. So wonderful.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/23/2020 10:22:00 AM

I have an extra box of tissues in the dugout! Thank you! Ted, like Paddy, Snickers and Taffy, was special. This poem is based on a song that I wrote for him after he left us. It is called Beloved and is on the Treasure of the Heart album. The song made me see that all of us are God's precious creations longing to hear "Good and faithful friend." Even after all of these years his memory brings tears to my eyes. Thankful.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/22/2020 2:53:00 PM

such a touching, well-written work... my doggie passed on a few months ago and i miss her... be safe; huggs

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/22/2020 3:06:00 PM

Nette! So good to hear from you. Have been thinking of you and hoping all is well. Thank you for your message - so appreciated. I am so sorry to hear that you lost your dog so recently. They really are BFF's, companions, family members and great sounding boards - unconditional love on four paws. sending back hugs...

Tom Cunningham

Date: 8/22/2020 1:41:00 PM

They are certainly a gift Sam, they have nothing but love for you and its heartbreaking when they leave you. Love your new dogs name. Over Fork Over and good luck Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/22/2020 3:09:00 PM

We've had two but they've both gone, after losing Ozzie my wife wasn't too keen to get another but maybe in time, the house is so quiet without them.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/22/2020 2:54:00 PM

They are the best! And it is heartbreaking. They wrap themselves right around your heart. My prayer, as we saw Ted failing, was for him to die at home - which he did almost in my arms - and to find a Wheaten puppy Quick! We did. Paddy and Ted are two miracles of God's abundant grace. Do you have a dog? Over Fork Over!

Carol Louise Moon

Date: 8/22/2020 10:58:00 AM

This is so precious. Your dog being a gift from God. I totally relate. My dog, too, is my gift from God. I am sorry for your loss.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 8/22/2020 11:10:00 AM

Hi Carol. So nice to meet you! Thank you for your lovely message. I still miss Mr. Ted. After we lost Ted, God brought us a new gift in Padraig Torin McWheaten of County Cork Esq.! Paddy for short - also a champion. What kind of dog do you have? Our dogs are precious gifts of God - images of unconditional love! Blessings to you and your canine buddy!