"Gerry"
On June 25th, I had to say good-bye to my beloved English springer. It was a very hard decision but one that had to be made. Gerry was left at my home by a family member. Initially I was angry but over the years, Gerry and I became best buds. He was a typical springer, slightly neurotic, but a real love bug! I made the decision to let Gerry cross the rainbow bridge and end any suffering. Gerry went blind almost overnight and could no longer walk well due to a brain tumor. I will miss his bear like gait and his larger than life personality. I will think of you everyday and miss you always.
"Archie"
I will never forget you.......
--Mom Gail
MEMORIAL PAGE
I pulled Rusty from a high kill shelter in February 08. He was listed as a bite case and not adoptable. After two trips to the shelter, I decided to give him a chance. It took a couple of months for us to learn and understand each other. Rusty finally was adopted over the summer but unfortunately came back after a couple of months. He was back to his old tricks and bit both of his new owners. Back to my place in September....I thought for sure I was stuck with him this time. I guess the moral of this story is be careful what you wish for. Rusty became ill on a Wednesday and by Friday we had to let him go. There was just too much wrong to fix on this old boy. We said our good-byes on December 5th.
Although he was one of the more difficult fosters, he was very loved. His favorite toy was my old yogurt containers - he would wait so patiently for me to get the last spoonful before giving it to him. He also waited patiently every morning for me to get out of the shower so he could clean my feet. It didn't matter how many times I explained to him that I did wash them....he insisted on making sure.
I am glad I pulled him and gave him that change - he deserved it and I'll never forget him or our short time together. Thank you Rusty for being a true friend. Rest in peace little boy and I'll see you at the bridge.
--Foster Mom Gail
This is our sweet, little Duncan who blessed our life for a short time from 11/23/08-12/9/08. He came from a high kill shelter, thin and in need of so much love. Duncan was about to go to his wonderful forever home after being neutered, but unfortunately God had other plans for our little Duncan...or "Dunky" as we would call him. Duncan's heart stopped after receiving anesthesia and unfortunately the doctors were not able to get his heart started again. The news broke my heart into a million pieces and of course the family waiting to give him his forever home had their hearts broken as well. I was so blessed to be his foster Mommy....God knew I needed him too and what a gift it was to be able to nurture him back to health and to give him so much love from our whole family. My kids loved him so much....especially my 5 y.o. daughter, Peyton, who helped me so much with taking care of Duncan. It actually brought Peyton & I closer together and helped us to get past some serious behavior problems we were having with Peyton. Our relationship is so much stronger now.....how can I ever thank you sweet Duncan? Peyton carries around your collar with your name tag every day...you will forever be part of our family....in our hearts you will always be. Duncan was such a doll...just a little light in our lives and loved everyone. He had so much joy in his heart and loved playing with my dogs too. He did not have a mean bone in his little body and my best word to describe him is "joyful." I will so much miss our "snuggle time" at night on the couch and your loving little kisses you gave to all of us Duncan. He was my first foster doggie and we were his family since he never got to go to his forever home. He will forever be part of our family. We love you "Dunky" and we miss you so much!
Love, your Foster Mom ,Katy
Lil Man. A.K.A. Jasper - You are a beautiful soul. Rest in Peace.
Snoopy - ? to June 20, 2009.
Snoopy was pulled from Philadelphia Animal Control in June 2007. He wasn't expected to live long but I got 2 happy years with him. I'll miss his shuffling little feet and his lost little cry when he was stuck in a corner and couldn't figure out how to turn around!
Rest in peace Snoopy boy - I'll see you at the bridge.
Foster Mom, Gail
Kiki - June 2009 to Sep. 2, 2009
Kiki was from a litter of six that we pulled from a shelter down south. We knew the risks of pulling from down south but so wanted to give these pups a chance. Poor little Kiki's immune system was just too weak to fight the dreaded Parvo. Kiki, I'm so sorry I couldn't save you....you were a beautiful soul who was just too good for this world. You will never be forgotten.......
Love always,
Foster Mom Gail
Gemini - Rest in Peace - you will be missed.
I first saw Champ's picture when I was in the hospital recovering from a broken pelvis. Although I was lying there and really didn't know when I was going home or how I was going to take care of the dogs I already had, I knew I had to save him. I'm so glad I did...although I only had 5 months with him, they were happy. Champ suffered a stroke or seizure on March 16th and his old heart just couldn't go on. I held him why he passed and I told him I would always love him. Although I feel terrible that he didn't get his "forever home", he will always have a home in my heart. I will see you at the bridge Champ.
-Foster Mom Gail
Good -bye Sweet Mugsy.....our thoughts are with the McGrath family at the loss of their beloved Mugsey.
Apache & Mesha
This is a memorial I just couldn't write for awhile. Apache and Mesha were my first shepherds....they were both beautiful dogs and I am so happy I had them in my life. I lost Apache a few months ago; I knew Mesha wouldn't be far behind him. They were very close and she took his passing hard. I lost Mesha to cancer on June 20, 2010. I fought with myself over letting her go because I just didn't want to say good-bye. Mesha was my first shepherd that I obtained in the fall of 1998....a few months later I decided she needed a buddy so I adopted Apache from a GSD rescue. They were buddies from the start. Mesha I think was born with a frisbee in her mouth; Apache with a ball :)....we played everyday, rain or shine. I would throw the frisbee for mesha, she would gracefully catch it and bring it back....I would throw the ball for Apache and well, I would go and get it for him :).....it somehow worked for us. These two were larger than life to me and their presence is so missed in my home and my life. Everyday I think of a memory of them and how much richer my life is for having them as my companions. They taught me strength, patience and the unbreakable bond between man and animal. Because of them, the rescue exists today so many can be saved and know the bond that we knew. I will miss them terribly for the rest of my days but I am a far better person for having known them.
--Mom Gail
Abby was an apricot colored, toy poodle, over 10 years of age. When she entered our lives, she was already sick with two forms of cancer, one of which we were told was a quite aggressive type. We had hoped to have months to spend with her, but, sadly, that was not to be. We lost her after she was with us for less than a month. And even though she was with us such a short time, her dying broke our hearts.
Abby had a very forceful personality. Even as sick as she was, she quickly established herself with us and our other dogs as the alpha dog. She was very affectionate. As soon as she saw me, her tail started wagging and she would come walking over to be closer to me. If I wasn’t in the room, she cried for me. And at night, she curled up alongside me and never moved until the morning.
She was an amazing dog, and we loved her. She is greatly missed.
-The Muehlhof family
