A Tribute to Amara

Amara recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge from cancer. She was about eight years old. Amara's Gate was the gate where she would wait for her Mom, Barbara, to return. She would also greet strangers. Her bark was such that some would not enter the yard. The first time I saw Amara she was at her gate. She and three others, two of which were her sons. On that day I was picking up the other three to take into rescue's care. Time's were hard at Amara's home and Barbara could not longer keep all four. The four big Bouviers, Mario, Sankai, Aram, and Amara seemed to know I was a friend and permitted me to enter. I will never forget that day, especially Amara. I didn't know it then but she was to spend time in my home and became a friend to my Bouviers, my wife, and me. This poem was written by Barbara.

Amara's Gate

You are not at the gate
You are not at the gate
You're not here at the gate today
You're not here at the gate
Where you used to wait
You are not at the gate, again

You're not here at the gate
Not at our gate
Dancing and leaping so high
With pink tongue quick
To get in that lick
Black curls and the sweetest sweet eyes

You're not here at our gate
Never more at our gate
Here's your foot print in the clay
You're not here in the car
You're not there by the door
Sad, so sad is this day

Tears fall at this gate
At this lonely gate
Where you used to dance for me
Tears fall on that place
And wash that place
Where you jumped so joyously
Nevermore at the gate
O' sweet Twinkletoes
In the wind you are running free
Thank you my love
Thank you my pet
For sharing this road with me

In my heart, in my heart
I hold you now
Hold you strong and hold you dear
Memories fine, and
Memories fun, and
Memories, memories dear

Amara, my love
Amara, my pet
Come back, come back
Some day
We will walk down new paths
And we'll open new gates
And again, again we will play