Tributes and Remembrances 2000
Updated 12-16-00
"Quentin"

To the Bridge 12-16-00

Quentin was a stray pulled from the Kalispell shelter in October. He was adopted just 2 months ago and was released to the Bridge today. He had been having seizures and today lost the ability to walk. The vet suspected a brain tumor since his symptoms came about quickly. He was well loved, well cared for and his "mom" has promised to get another Boston Terrier to carry on the healing Quentin started in her life.

This dog was the sweetest, most spiritual of beings and will be sorely missed by all that were lucky enough to meet him. Rest in peace little dog and know you have done something wonderful in your life on this plane.
"Sitkin"

Sitkin 9-1-85 to 9-9-00

Sitkin was supposed to be a Sheltie cross but looked more like a Golden Ret./Cocker cross. She was born in Adak, Alaska, hence her name,  and came to me here 7-3-00 after her owner died and the family could not keep her and her little buddy Peanut. She was a very loving, gentle, stoic, kind dog that adopted my kitchen floor as her place during the day and a rug in the bathroom or next to the bed at night. She was also a beautiful dog and I just wish I had known her a few years ago. She bounced and play bowed, though in a modified manner due to her arthritis, watched out for Peanut and was a joy to have around.

She was very arthritic upon arrival here and had a couple of bouts with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in the past few weeks. She appeared to be improving from the CCD but quit eating a couple of days ago, could not walk without help and finally yesterday afternoon went down and could not get up even with help. Her rear legs were totally useless. I took her to the vet but there was nothing he could do for her so the decision was made to release her from pain. 

Go with the light sweet dog and know you were loved by many, your owner, his mother, other family members and a large part of the rescue community that heard about your predicament. Also, I loved you totally while you were here and know I will take good care of your buddy Peanut until he decides it is time to join you.  Romp freely sweet dog and know I did the best for you I could. Namaste'

Quincy: Sheltie, moved in 5-15-99 (Neutered male, at least 10 on arrival, could be as old as 14)

Quincy was found wandering near Bug Creek. He was matted, full of burrs, twigs, etc. and they had to give him quite the haircut to even bathe him. He was so thin and weak when he got here he spent the first week eating and sleeping. He is now out of his crate and getting his share of loving. He is now neutered, shots current and has clean teeth. He is a great little dog, about 10 years old and I think will be a mahogany sable Sheltie when he gets his hair back. Do you know who might have lost this little dog? He is absolutely wonderful.

Retired to SDHR for the rest of his life. He is ill and is no longer available for adoption. 10-8-99

Vet fees Paid by SCRS of Calgary, AB Canada and Sharon Gates of Ohio. Thanks Jude and Sharon!!

11-14-99: When he was neutered it was thought that he had testicular cancer. It is just a waiting game to see how far it has spread and how long he will remain healthy. He is a beautiful, sweet dog that is "moving up" in the pack order and makes sure all new arrivals know he was here first. Hope he is here for a long time.

To the bridge 7-6-00 at 1:45 AM 

This sweet, gentle, loving dog woke me at 12:30 AM gasping for air. I called the vet, scooped him up, cuddled him most of the way there but there was nothing he could do for him. The only option was to end his suffering and release him to the bridge. 

Quincy came to me shaved, weak, quiet, withdrawn and stoic, so very, very stoic. He ate, gained weight, watched the comings and goings here and finally decided he was "home". He was a wonderful, beautiful, gentle soul and loved his ear, butt and head scratches each morning. It was our quiet time and his "turn" for loving without the others getting in the way. When he had enough he would just walk away.

I will miss you little man and so will all that met you. All of them looked for you first upon arrival and gave you your pets then so you could go back to your bed and sleep. <grin> The sadness at your passing has spiraled out to all that knew you. Romp in perfect health now sweet dog and know I will meet you again one day at the bridge.
"Sir Galahad"

Terrier cross, moved in 4-21-99 (Neutered male at least 13 on arrival)

Sir Galahad is a sweet, older Terrier whose previous owner was sent to a no dogs allowed nursing home. He is now looking for a quiet retirement home. He is spry, neutered, shots current, house broken if you get him out often, good with all dogs, cats and crate trained.  He also has beautiful, freshly cleaned teeth. This dog could live a good long time yet. He is in great shape and if I did not know he was at least 13, I would guess him closer to 7 instead.

Retired to the SDHR 8-14-99 
Sponsored by Mary Piper of Bozeman in honor of the Anniversary of Tricia and Mark Tidgewell 
To the Bridge 6-24-00
Galahad went suddenly and with no symptoms at all. He was fine at 1 PM when I left to go shopping and at 3:30 when I got home he was down, panting hard, gums past pale, mouth, head and front legs cold. I got him to the vet and he had no blood pressure or veins to use for an IV.  The vet said he had a major hemorrhagic event and there was really no hope. He was in really sad shape and the only option was to help him to the bridge.

If you find your original owner and choose to go with him I will understand sweet boy. I will see you again one day if you decide to wait for me instead. Know you were loved each day you were here and will continue to be loved by me for all time. Romp freely with the body of a puppy again. Eat those treats and know there will always be food in your bowl. Peace and joy to you now.
"Happy"

Mixed breed, moved in 5-12-99 (Spayed female, at least 10 on arrival)

Happy was found wandering the streets of Whitefish and brought to the shelter. She did not have much chance in there so here she is in The Senior Dog House. She is a tiny little thing, confused, does not like to be touched, afraid of people, vacant eyes and paces around and around the yard like Baby did at first. The shelter folks think she might be deaf and/or blind, possibly abused and dumped. She got her name by the method of locomotion she uses when she sees me and realizes she gets to come inside. She *bounds* in great leaps for all the world like a happy dog.  Welcome little girl, I hope you like it here.

Update 11-14-99: Happy now comes inside with a name call instead of being carried inside. She also sleeps in the living room now with the rest of the dogs, allows petting and being picked up and held in a lap for a bit. She no longer has totally vacant eyes and comes to her name now. She is a nice little girl that still enjoys life.

To the Bridge 4-12-00

Poor Happy had been in failing health for the last few months and today she just seemed to give up. She was looking worse than usual so I took her in to see if there was anything the Vet could do for her. She was all snuggled in my arms and when the Vet started to take a blood sample she sort of sighed once and was gone. You will be missed little one and know you were loved greatly the last year of your time on this plane. Go with the light and romp like you have not been able to for some time. No more pain and you can eat all you want now.
"Gordy"
Senior, Special Needs dog
Gordy, a Toy Apricot Poodle, is around 12 years old, neutered, shots current, house broken, now toothless, has a luxating patella right rear, mild cataracts and is just a sweet little boy. His owner went into a nursing home and this boy was left at a vet office to be put to sleep. They called me and here he is.
He had awful teeth, diarrhea and was very afraid when he was deposited at my vet's office. Got his systems under control, cleaned his teeth, found he had oronasal fistulas on both sides and has had surgery on them twice now. He unfortunately needs a third session on his left side, poor dog. He also has a heart murmur so surgery is not taken lightly for him at any time.
Retired to SDHR for the rest of his life 3-22-00. Love ya little guy!
This little guy is just so sweet and he has bonded here so he can stay for the rest of his life.
To the bridge 3-24-00
His stay here was not long enough. He went from bouncy, happy, loving to sick and gone in a matter of days. All of his systems just shut down at once. His kidneys, liver and heart just quit. He ate well but the food did him no good since his body could no longer process anything. His elderly owner was put in a nursing home and Gordy may have felt his passing and decided to join him. At any rate this wonderful little dog is now at the bridge, in great company, and will hurt no more. I hope he is now back in his original lap. Romp and love happily little dog. You will be missed here by more than just me.
"Bonnie"
Bonnie and her brother Clyde were found on a nice man's porch. Since he is older and only has a cat, he had no idea what to do with two puppies so here they are.

Bonnie was an 8-10 week old puppy on arrival 11-21-99, of unknown origin, now spayed and has her first shots. She is active, loving, the more outgoing of the two and has a way to go to be housebroken. She acts more like a terrier than anything but who knows what she is? She is a very sweet pup needing a great home that will train and love her for the rest of her life. Is yours that home?

Bonnie went to the Bridge 1-20-00 from Parvo
She got sick saturday, 1-11-00 and fought a valiant battle but did not survive. Go with the light little pup and play with all that have gone before you. You already know 3 of them from here. Watch over your brother and know I will love him doubly hard now. Love, Mom!
"Buddy"
Buddy: Cairn Terrier/Lhasa Apso mix, rescued 7-14-95. Approx. 10 - 12 when found. (Neutered Male, now 16+)

The Alpha Dog of the Pack!! I was scared and very sick when I was rescued from a 5 lane highway. When my mom drove up, I ran over, laid on my back and waited to be picked up. I had more fleas than hair, yeast infections in both ears, mites, bad teeth and raw open wounds where the fleas were eating me. My mom took me to the vet and got me all fixed up. Now I stand guard and keep the peace in the pack.

To the Bridge 1-10-00
This dog is my heart, my soul mate and was sent to me by the previous Alpha of the house on his way out. Jason was 16.5 years old and slowing fast. He knew I would be devastated when he left so he "found" me a dog to help ease the pain of his passing. On July 14th as I was preparing for an appointment, I kept hearing this voice telling me to "go get a chicken dog". It was 9 AM and the last thing I wanted at that hour was a chicken dog. I finally realized the voice would not shut up until I listened so I took the other route to my appointment that would take me past the store that sells chicken dogs. 

It was a 4 lane highway with turn lanes both directions and there in the median was a little tan dog and a lady's car stopped about 50 yards ahead of him. I pulled in behind him so he was between the cars, got down low and called "here puppy, puppy". He turned and ran over to me, laid on his back and I put my hand on him to keep him there. I told the lady I had caught her dog and she said "he's not mine, I've been trying to catch him for 45 minutes".

So I did the only thing I could. I scooped him up and put him in my car and took him with me. When I got to my appointment there were two ladies in the parking lot with another dog running around. I asked if either had seen the little one in my car before. Neither had but the lady with the dog worked in that building and offered to take my guy in while I was in there. I collected him on my way out and headed to the vet.

This poor dog had every parasite known to Veterinary medicine, yeast infections inside and out, fleas galore, open sores from the fleas and the most loving temperament. He got the full treatment there and many hundreds of dollars later he came home with me that afternoon. It took months of baths, special food and medicines but Buddy finally was pronounced healthy.

When a new dog came into the house Jason would be the first to greet them and let them know HE was head dog but he just calmly came and sniffed Buddy and walked back to his bed and took a nap. Odd to say the least and then I realized *his* was the voice I had been hearing that morning. He knew Buddy was out there and needed me as much or more than I needed him.

From that moment Buddy was the head of the house and he helped me to and through the passing of Jason in September of 95. He was a gentle leader, kept the peace in the pack as each new foster came and ultimately went to their new home. He would make sure the new ones were welcomed gently, would help them settle if they were scared and helped "train" the ones that had never been inside a
home or had a gentle touch. He greeted each day as a wonder and his attitude kept me positive as well. His spirit was calming as
well as goofy and his antics would make all that got to see them laugh out loud. He was my "buddy", my companion, my safety net,
my heart.

Go with the light my little Officer Buddy Bear. You will know pain no more and will be missed every day I draw breath. We will meet again at the bridge when it is my time to rejoin you. Namaste' sweet being.
Sponsored by Mary Piper of Bozeman in honor of the Anniversary of Tricia and Mark Tidgewell
"Baby"

Baby: Very mixed breed, moved in 4-24-99 (Spayed female at least 10)

Baby is at least 10 years old, somewhat deaf, about 10 pounds, shots current, spayed and her breeding is mixed. She also has few teeth left after her dental.
She was abused and removed from her home. She ducks and closes her eyes when anyone tries to pet her. She is very afraid of hands. She was grossly underweight, is still very thin but is learning that not all people will hurt her. What a sweet, gentle old soul she is.

Retired to SDHR 8-14-99 
She is now totally bonded to me and follows me around like the rest of the rescued dogs here. Her eyes are now clear and she is aware of where she is and what is going on around her. She will allow me to pick her up and hold her in my lap for a long time now while enjoying her pets and scratches. She is now clear eyed and no longer depressed. What a sweet little old dog she is and so very loving now.
Went to the Bridge 1-10-00 
This sweet little dog was horribly abused for most of her life and sent here for her safety. She was well loved here, bonded and will now be able to run and play like her broken little body would not allow on this plane. Romp and play to your heart's content little dog. I will see you again one day and know you will be missed.
See the Tributes and Remembrances for 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001,1998-99
Rescued and adopted dogs Tributes

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