You have done so much for others - alot that you don't even know of

You have been an Angel to the animals. One of God's Shepherds. You have the heart of gold and the kindness of a good samaritan. We who know of you- weep with you. You are in all our hearts and prayers.

May Sunshine Follow Your Shadow

May Sunshine Follow Your Shadow,
May it wipe away the tears;
May rainbows be there for breakfast
For many happy tears,
May all the joy the world can give,
Be there for a long time live;
For you are special to us all,
No matter when or why we call;
You always answer every note,
E'en when one sends it out by boat;
For you make life so full of joy,
Like seamen who have found a buoy;
An anchor filled with strength untold,
When ripples of your voice unfold;
So ever constant, ever true,
It's a better place because of you.

Poem by M.J.M. @1999

What Happened

This was written by a friend of Jim Willis the author of the well known poem on the internet called "How Could You?"

As I am sure many of you know, Jim Willis is a good friend of mine.
Well yesterday, we managed to get him out of his house and away from the dogs for a get together for his birthday. Jim does not like to leave home too often so it was a special day for both him and the 5 other people that shared it with him.

At 2pm, we heard a police car go past the restaurant where we were,
then another, then a few minutes later several fire trucks. The party
ended and we all headed for our homes around 4. It took Barb and me about an hour to get home, and as we walked through the door the phone was ringing. It was Jim! The fire trucks had been going to his house! It was a total loss -- the roof had caved in and there was literally nothing left.

To make things even worse, it was so cold yesterday that all his loyal
companions were inside the house.

With tears in my eyes, I must tell you that 9 dogs and 4 cats did not
survive the fire. The good news is that 6 dogs were able to survive.
For those that may not be familiar with Jim, he is an amazing man. He
is a great writer and is the author of the essay "HOW COULD YOU?" I am sure many or most of us have read that through teary eyes a time or two.

He has also written a book on his life and love of animals called, "PIECES OF MY HEART". The book featured stories about many of the animals that did not survive the fire.

Most people did not know that Jim never accepted ANY royalties from
the sales of his book (#1 animal related book on Amazon for the last 2
years). Instead, he told the publisher to use them to offset the cost of
additional copies which were provided to shelters and rescue groups to use them for fund raisers. He may be the most unselfish person I know.

Jim was in the process of writing a second book at the time of the
fire. All his notes and drafts were lost, as were his personal belongings
and family mementos. He had lived all over the world and had a small
collection of items from the places he had lived, also all gone. All his
photos and remembrances of family members no longer here, vanished.

Jim has done many great things throughout his life, has saved the
lives of countless animals, has donated to help others with no regard for
his own well being, and has given the greatest gift of all -- love to
unwanted animals in their time of need.

Could you please just take a few seconds and say a little something
for Jim and his companions both alive and waiting at the bridge. Thank
you, my friends.

-- Joe Maringo

January 29, 2004

Info for sending donations for Jim. An account has just been finalized and you may send donations directly to

The Jim Willis Fire Fund
c/o National City Bank
1803 Main St
Burgettstown, Pa 15021

You should make your checks payable to; Jim Willis Fire Fund. Please do not send anything to his home address in Avella Pa. as the post office is no longer delivering to his mailbox.

THANK YOU!

Tell them that I love and miss
them, and when they turn to smile,
place a kiss upon their nose
and hold them for a while.

Because remembering them is easy,
I do it every day.
But there's an ache within my heart,
that will never go away.

                      
                              The Dogs

Lakota- Wolf hybred

Amadeus-Giant Schnauzer mix

Danny- Dachshund

Willow- English Coonhound

Pongo- Dalmatian

Tina-Dalmation

Cleo- Am-Staff

Gaston- Basset

Gallagher- Basset

                                                      
                                    The Cats

 Danube

 Lucinda

 Tawny

 Tara

Too soon the hourglass was empty,
Too soon you quietly stole away,
Leaving thirteen empty places,
And me cursing that fateful day.

You¹d filled my life with laughter,
Your antics were beyond compare,
Now my days are tinged by sorrow,
With tears over lost friends so rare.

I recall your each and every foible,
Your sad lives before you came to me,
How you¹d healed and thrived and blossomed,
I close my eyes and your faces I see.

They say everything happens for a reason,
The divine plan we aren¹t meant to see,
I know I must go on for the living,
Though I still wish you were here with me.

It was your love that kept me going,
It will be love that allows a new start,
For the rest of my life, I won¹t forget
The Golden Leash that connects our hearts.

Copyright Jim Willis 2004
http://www.crean.com/jimwillis