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Marie-Anne [Wagtails]

Nicki

Moderator
It is with huge sadness that I inform you of the death yesterday of Marie-Anne Martin [Wagtails], our dear friend, a great animal advocate and very generous supporter of Rupert's Fund and animal rescues. Marie Anne has been greatly missed on the forums during her illness, she was such a caring, wonderful, knowledgeable and inspiring person and had many forum and email friends.




She was someone who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.


Our deepest condolences to her family.
 
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I think most people are aware of the Rainbow Bridge story, some may find this comforting at this very sad time:


Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and grey, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existance. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."
"I think I like rescuer's", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.

Written by Benny
CCDR/DUR/TRUCKNPAWS
Saving the World, four paws at a time
Foster home, Hospice
 
I'm so sorry to see this. I remember Marie-Anne and often thought about her and how helpful and kind she always was to all of us. She shared what she knew and was such a comfort to me when Sydney died. Nicki, you have given her a beautiful tribute.....thank you for letting her friends here know.

Rest in peace Marie-Anne. Find comfort with all our departed cavaliers who will surround you with their love.
 
I am so very sorry to read this. Im sure there were many at the bridge waiting XX My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.
 
So very sorry to read about Marie-Ann, she was so very helpful and kind on the forum. Thinking of her family and friends at this very sad time.
 
I am so sorry to read this. She was always very helpful and a big part of the cavalier talk family.
 
I'm deeply saddened to read of her passing. Sincere condolences to Marie-Anne's family and friends.
She was a much valued contributor to this board, always kind, respectful and had such a deep love for the breed.
She will be very much missed.
Sinead.
 
I live in Coventry and Marie-Anne lived near Broadway in the Cotswolds but we met for the first time in Norfolk! I was on holiday, camping with my dogs, and Marie-Anne was with her husband who was running an ornithology weekend not too far away. So we met to walk dogs on a beach and have lunch together. We repeated this from time to time as and when we were within reach of each other - not often enough to become close friends (Nicki who never met her probably knew her better) but enough for me to like and admire her very much, and to find how much we had in common. I shall miss her, and think of her family, who will miss her far more.

Kate, Oliver and Aled
 
So saddened to read this. A wonderful lady who was so encouraging when we rehomed Kaley and a wonderful contributor to CT xx
 
Not sure that I knew this lady, but I was certainly aware of her posts on this Forum. She seems to have made such a deep impression on so many here and obviously had a great love and understanding of Cavaliers. I am so sorry she has gone. R.I.P. sweet lady. You will be sorely missed.

P.S. I haven't seen that particular version of the Rainbow Bridge story before, but I did really enjoy reading it.
 
For those who knew Marie-Anne and are perhaps in the area:


Marie-Anne wished that her passing should be marked by an occasion when friends could meet and exchange memories about her. To achieve this there will be a Cream Tea on the afternoon of June 20th. This will be an opportunity for people to come together and share in one of Marie-Anne’s favourite treats, and at a location which she visited often for dog walks. There will be no speeches or eulogies but we hope much conversation and the swapping of memories about Marie-Anne, especially between strangers who will have known Marie-Anne from different perspectives.

The Cream Tea will be at Dumbleton Hall Hotel, Dumbleton, Gloucestershire between 2:30 and 4:30. The Hotel is easily found and can be approached from the west via a turning from the A46 and from the east via a turning from the B4078. The postcode is WR11 7TS and the web site is www.dumbletonhall.co.uk.

Marie-Anne requested that people do not feel obliged to wear black or dark clothes, and that there should be no flowers. However, she would welcome donations in her memory to two Charities:

St Richard’s Hospice, Worcester (http://www.strichards.org.uk/)

and

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People (http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/).

Marie-Anne supported many different charities but Hearing Dogs came closest to combining her interests in the worlds of sound and of dogs. St Richard’s provided marvellous support for Marie-Anne throughout her illness.

Please send donations to:
Co-operative Funeral Care
30 Swan Lane
Evesham
Worcestershire WR11 4PD.

Also please let Co-operative Funeral Care know if you will be coming to the Cream Tea, to ensure that there are enough scones and a large enough bowl of Cream! They can be contacted at [email protected] or phoned on 01386 446188.

Please also pass these details of the Cream Tea to any mutual friends of Marie-Anne’s -

IF ANYONE CAN PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO OTHER FRIENDS OF MARIE -ANNE, HER HUSBAND, GRAHAM, WOULD BE GRATEFUL.
 
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