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My
Little Angel Girl
Poetic
Memories of Angel & Other Animal Companions
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See Books
About Precious Pets for more books by this author.
Compiled By Alan Blain Cunningham
PhD, DVM, MD
Drawings
by Arianna Alexis, Lisa Hull, James Raykovich.
Front Cover Art by Ariana Alexis Back Cover
Art by Arianna Alexis &
Lara McKenna
Copyright - Sep. 2006 List Price $15.95
64 p Soft Cover
8 x 10 Many Drawings.
Complimentary Music CD of Songs provided upon request.
Agreka Books ISBN 0-977702-6-1
Dedication
A Story
Introduction
Stories & Songs
The Author
Dedication
To my beloved animal companions past and present.
Resources to help with pet loss
Alan Cunningham offers tips and contact information on his Web site, http://www.petangelsutah.com
Angel
Pug, how I yearn to call
you again. But I can only imagine the brightness in your eyes and the
eagerness in your body as you intently listen to my voice.
Now you have left me and
I eagerly await to hear from you. And I realize that in your own way you
are sending me daily greetings.
I received your wonderful
Christmas gift. She was a bundle of brown and white fur only weighing one
pound and nine ounces. The crested fur on her head curled inwards like a
chrysanthemum. I have long admired the attentive, large eyes of Shih Tzu
dogs. Their curious, thoughtful glances seem to look deep into the heart
of your soul.
Double click drawing for larger image.
Forgive me Pug, but I
don't understand why you sent her to me in such a tattered package. She
entered the world experiencing much the same physical pain and torment
that you left behind. Perhaps you want me to understand that everything
valuable is worth fighting for.
She arrived at the
emergency clinic the morning after Christmas, only six weeks old. Her
owner puzzled over the constant, severe pain she was enduring. Not only
was she constantly painful, she was also blind. Unable to pay for
necessary treatment of a pup with an uncertain future, and yet unwilling
to euthanize the poor little soul, the owner relinquished her to the
hospital.
Pug, can you imagine the
fear the delicate little pup must have felt experiencing a dark world full
of pain. When I arrived at work that night and saw her and heard of her
plight I immediately asked the charge veterinarian if I could have her.
Yes, he returned. Now try and figure out why she is so painful.
Even with pain
medications the fragile pup moaned in severe agony. The radiographs showed
nothing abnormal. I debated that euthanasia would be the kindest thing for
her. While I quietly and sadly watched her suffer a thought came to me.
Had they considered spinal meningitis? Quickly I researched the disease
and realized that it was worth a try. It may take several days or even
weeks but she could recover. After all, she was my responsibility now and
she deserved a fighting chance. Pug, somehow I felt you were helping me
with this battle.
I took the tiny creature
home. Every four hours I tube fed the tiny pup. She received pain
medications and antibiotics as needed. Unfortunately over the next several
days she remained the same.
One more day, I
bargained, then I will mercifully euthanize her. That night, for a short
while, she seemed to be more quiet and peaceful. I feared that she had
died. But when I felt for her, I discovered that she had moved from her
bed and nestled next to my stomach. At first I thought you had returned
Pug. Then I realized that the little thing must be getting better.
The tiny bundle of joy
and enthusiasm is now twelve weeks old and full of puppy freedom. Her and
C.C. cavort together like you and C.C. once did. Her ulcerated eyes are
nearly better and she now looks at me with a turned head and intent stare
much as you used to.
Aspen has even fallen in love with her, or at least she patiently
tolerates her. The little girl loves to play with Aspen's tail, while
Aspen just lays there with a grin on her face.
I've introduced her to
the big boys Brownie, Golden, and Moose. But since she is only a four
pound morsel, I will allow some more time before integrating her with
them. And although she is the smallest of all my family of dogs, she barks
out the loudest orders!
One of her favorite
activities is to steal mom's shoes and hide them in the bedroom. By the
way, mom visits your grave every day and talks with you. She tells me, "I
had a good talk with Pug today, and she is doing fine."
You know how much I miss
you, Pug. You are always in my heart.
I
trust you and Dad are enjoying each other, spending time together in the
fragrant meadows.
Please prepare a place
for Aspen as I fear her time on earth is nearing to an end. With three
legs, and debilitating arthritis, I have to carry her most of the time
now.
PUG .
. . . . . . . . .
Double click drawing for larger image.
Pug, thanks for giving me
the tiny package of Christmas joy. She does so many things that remind me
of you. Because of her petite flat nose she snores at night, only not as
loudly as you did. You know how much I love flat-nosed dogs. With her
inquisitive nature she has discovered your secret hiding place underneath
the living room couch. She also loves to cuddle up next to my stomach as
you used to. And I still feel like I'm sleeping with angels.
Do you know how
refreshing it is to occasionally view the world through a puppy's eyes?
I'm sure you do. That is why you sent her to me to remove me from the
grief of your loss. She has become a precious gift. Thank you Pug.
And one last thing, my
beloved. I have chosen a name for her. Her name is Angel.
. .
. Read more in the book.
Introduction
Once in awhile a special
being comes into our lives. For me that special being is my Shih Tzu
Angel.
Although everyone of my
animals are precious, Angel seems to be a gift from Pug, my beloved Boston
Terrier, to help fill the void of her death.
In many ways Pug lives on
in Angel. These poems and songs, although written for Angel, also pay
tribute to Pug. Furthermore they are a celebration to all of my animals,
past and present.
Gratefully, I realize
that my animals are my most genuine, honest, generous, forgiving, loyal
and best friends.
Due to blindness and
spinal meningitis Angel struggled to begin life. But she fought bravely to
live. She was and is a courageous inspiration and source of daily strength
to me. And she will always be my precious Little Angel Girl.
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Table of Contents
Angel
Little Angel Girl
I'm Remembering
Miracles
You Are You
Softly Falling Like Snow
Little Angel Stay With Me
Simple Things
Seven
Baby Girl
Angel's Eyes
Ella Illumina Mi Vida
Time is But a Glimmer
A Million Angel Kisses
Where Are You
Inside This Fragile Tear
A Locket of Your Hair
Angel
Where Is Love
Little Angel
Seasons Change
Time
If Time Will Take My Hand
Kalaupapa
My Love
Little Angel Little Angel
Friend
Onward We Go
And If I Go
Please Then Let Me Go
Come To Me
Goodbye My Good Friend
Simple Things
Rainbow Bridge
About the Author
Grief Counseling
Songs on the CDs
Songs written by Alan Cunningham and arranged by Gary Stoddard.
Copyright 2006 by Alan B. Cunningham. http://www.petangelsutah.com
1. Little Angel Girl Singer Alan Cunningham
2. I'm Remembering Singer Alan Cunningham
3. Miracles Singer Alan Cunningham
4. You Are You Singer Alan Cunningham
5. A Hundred Years From Now By Arthur Gottschalk. Thomas Bacon
Horn, Brian Connelly Piano.
6. Softly Falling Like Snow Singer Alan Cunningham
7. Little Angel Stay With Me Singer Alan Cunningham
8. Simple Things Singer Phil Miller
9. Seven Singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
10. Baby Girl Singer Gary Stoddard, Narrator Amanda Heard
11. Angel's Eyes Singers Gary Stoddard, Sydney Sorenson
12. Ella Illumina Mi Vida Singer Alan Cunningham
13. Time Is But A Glimmer Singer Alan Cunningham
14. A Million Angel Kisses Singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
15. Where Are You Singer Alan Cunningham
16. Inside This Fragile Tear Singer Phil Miller
17. A Locket Of Your Hair Singer Alan Cunningham
18. Angels Singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
19. Where Is Love Singer Alan Cunningham
20. Little Angel Singers Alan Cunningham, Gary Stoddard
21. Seasons Change Singer Alan Cunningham
22. If Time Will Take My Hand Singer Alan Cunningham
23. Time Singer Alan Cunningham
24. Kalaupapa Singer Alan Cunningham
25. My Love Singer Alan Cunningham
26. Little Angel Little Angel Singer Alan Cunningham
27. Friend Singer Alan Cunningham
28. Onward We Go Singer Alan Cunningham
29. And If I Go Singer Alan Cunningham
30. Please Then Let Me Go Singer Alan Cunningham
31. Danza de la Pastora by Ernesto Halffter, Cathy Clayton Harp
32. Come To Me Singer Alan Cunningham
33. Goodbye My Good Friend Singer Gary Stoddard
The Author
Dr. Alan B. Cunningham graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor
of Science in Animal Science and a Masters Degree in Respiratory Health Care
Science. He also graduated from Utah State University with a Ph.D. in physiology
and later from Oregon State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
He recently completed his final year in medical school at the University of
Health Sciences Antigua.
Double click photo for large image.
Dr. Cunningham was recognized by the American Veterinary Medical
Association as National Outstanding Veterinarian of the Year for 2006, and
was selected for inclusion in the 2006 "Guide to Americas Top
Veterinarians." He is also the recipient of Best of State Utah 2004, 2005,
and 2006 for Animal Care in his work as a veterinarian in pet loss and
grief support.
He also serves as a member of FEMA with the National Veterinary Team
and helps to provide medical care for injured animals during natural
disasters such as Katrina. Currently he works as a part-time relief
veterinarian. Presently a student at the University of Utah, he is
majoring in the Masters of Public Health program. He also volunteers and
heads the Utah pet loss hotline as a certified pet loss grief counselor.
In addition he volunteers as an advocate for "end of life choices" for
humans. He serves as Utah chapter president. He is also an active member
of UAATA (Utah Animal Assisted Therapy Association).
Furthermore, he actively campaigns for a commemorative postage stamp
and national war memorial for the War Dogs in Vietnam. These valiant
warriors gave their lives to save American Soldiers. Nearly 4,000 canine
soldiers fought in Vietnam but less than 200 returned stateside. Most were
left behind to an uncertain future with the South Vietnamese or
euthanized. Many of the dog handlers requested to bring them home because
they owed their lives to their canine soldier counterparts. Unfortunately,
they were denied. These soldiers desperately want to pay tribute to the
War Dogs of Vietnam with commemorative postage stamps and memorials. The
postmaster general has denied this request twice and presently a third
push is on for a commemorative war dog stamp. Dr. Cunningham urges
citizens to write their congressman in behalf of these heroic canine
soldiers.
Dr. Cunningham is also the author of six other books: Sleeping
With Angels: A Veterinarians Sacred Bond of Animal Companionship.
On Angels Wings: Personal Stories About the Passing Away of
Beloved Animal Companions. Small Wonders: A Personal Journey
to the Wonders of the World. On Angels Wings II: Personal
Stories About the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions.
Unspoken Messages: A Personal and Universal Portrayal in the
Perspectives of Communication. Fragile Tears: Stories & Guidance
for Youth on the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions.
Inside This Fragile Tear: Art, Poetry, Stories, and Songs In Memory of
Lost Animal Companions. Stepping Stone Journey: A Personal Short
Story About Detours in Life, Friendships and Self Discovery.
Dr. Cunningham is a lifelong resident of American Fork, Utah.
alancpug2002@yahoo.com
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