Tributes and Remembrances 1998 & 1999
Updated 10-16-99
"Abby"
Abby: Chi/Manchester Terrier/IG/Pharoh Hound/??, moved in 6-25-98. (Spayed female, approximately 10-11 on arrival)
To the Bridge 10-16-99, loved by many and missed by all.

On 10-16-99, my sweet Abby crossed the bridge. She was very tired, had quit eating and her kidneys finally could not function any more. It was time to release her from pain and let her be whole again in body and spirit at the bridge. Abby and I had a gentle and good visit yesterday morning and she went peacefully to the bridge in my arms. This was the most peaceful leave taking I have ever witnessed and I would wish for all of them to be so gentle and calm. It left me with a feeling of calm, peace and no pain. For the first time there were no tears, just an overwhelming feeling of rightness and completeness in a life cycle.

I loved this dog from the time I saw the first picture of her and her EARS!! Lordy did she have big ears. She was rescued in Florida and adopted to a home in the NW that did not work out but was close enough to me so I could bring her here for the rest of her life. She would twirl, twist, play bow, "woof" and just be a silly little dog and run over for hugs and kisses. It took some time, and several animal communications, for her to accept that she would not be the only dog here and learn to live in a rescue household. She did learn but never really liked having to share her person. Now she is free of pain and totally at peace. God speed little dog. I hope I see you again one day at the bridge.
"Sprocket"

Sprocket: Mini Dachshund/Yorkshire Terrier, moved in 9-7-99 (Neutered male, at least 12 on arrival)

To the Bridge 11-30-99 and mourned by all that ever met you!!

I would first like to thank all the kind and wonderful folks on the rescue lists for their caring and good thoughts for my little boy, Sprocket. All the Zen, prayers and good thoughts helped him pass a reasonably comfortable night. Unfortunately, there was to be no "bouncing back" for him.

When I got there today he barely raised his head and looked at me with the most alert expression he could muster and his eyes were telling me "mom I am tired, I hurt, please let me go". There was nothing else I could do for him. I did not want him to suffer anymore so I loved him for an hour and held him as he crossed the bridge. He is no longer in pain, can now eat anything he wants and is hopefully romping at the bridge waiting for me, or one of his previous owners, to retrieve him.

This little dog was found wandering along a busy highway, back and forth over about a 2 mile area. He was very thin, weighed a little over 4 pounds, almost dead from hunger and exposure, had the worst teeth you could imagine, ate and slept for most of the first week. As he got stronger the folks that found him knew they could not keep him or give him the medical care he so desperately needed so they brought him here.

I did what I could for him, cleaned his teeth, checked his blood, etc. and he gained weight, loved all here, bounced and played and slept on the bed with me at night. His little face shown with an almost unearthly glow most of the time and his eyes had an impish quality that showed his spirit. What a wonderful dog he was and I wish I had known him when he was young and that he could have stayed longer.

Everyone that came here just loved this little guy. He was so full of himself, had a cockeyed look to his face, hair that stuck out all over in a wild pattern and would bounce up to folks as if to say "Hi, I'm Sprocket, who are you?". <G> No one could help it, they just had to smile with him. All that saw him loved him. A lot of people wanted to adopt him too, but I had to tell them, "no, this one is mine". <G> What a wonderful, sweet, goofy little dog. He will be sorely missed.

Romp at the bridge sweet boy and know total health again. Go with the light and I will always remember your head cocked, goofy little grin and bouncy gait. I will be watching for your star.
"Peanut"
SDHR Foster #4-9-2194 "Peanut" Boston/Chi cross female, fawn and a real live wire. Weighs about 2 pounds. She will take on all comers for food and usually wins. She was part of the 34 dog/13 cat abuse/cruelty case here in the Flathead from 4-29-99.

Peanut to the Bridge 5-11-99 and sorely missed

It is with great sadness I am reporting the loss of one of the cruelty case dogs. Little "Peanut", dog #2194, died this afternoon while undergoing her spay. Her blood work was fine, she appeared to be fine, happy and bouncy but her heart just was not strong enough. Also, her abdomen was full of fluid, she had 3 hernias and her teeth were awful.

This poor little dog did not have a chance physically and none of us knew that. Blood work only goes so far. It does not tell that the heart muscle itself is weak. That is what took her. Her heart quit during her surgery and no amount of "help" could bring her back.

If "heart" alone could have kept her alive, she would have lived a good long time. She was the cutest little thing. Bouncy, loving, excited to see me and just blossoming. She had gained weight, a whole pound, and looked just fine. She was the first to greet me each morning with her little pip squeak bark, went willingly into her crate to be fed and gave great, although very smelly, kisses. She no longer bolted her food but chewed each and every piece. She was making great strides. She is now buried next to the wild rose garden along with Chelsea.

I do not know if she ever had a name but at least she had one when she crossed the bridge. Good night my tiny "Peanut". May you romp happily at the bridge and know you were truly loved and wanted, at least by me. One day, we will meet again. Namaste' my tiny little mite.
"Corky"

Corky: Shetland Sheepdog, born 11-1-83, moved in 5-16-85. (Neutered Male) 
Went to the bridge December 22, 1998. You will be greatly missed and for the first time in over 30 years I am without a Sheltie in residence.

His kidneys finally gave out. He was diagnosed with kidney failure some months ago and has been going up and down hill since. He finally went down too far to get back. He came to live with me in 1985 at a year and a half old to keep him from being put to sleep. He was so very spooked, unsocialized and untrusting it took me three years to earn enough of his trust to be able to touch him outside of his "safety zone" under the round table. Once given, his trust was total and he kept getting closer and better all the rest of his life. He had learned to trust humans so well he actually let strangers come love/hug/pet him. I will always remember him when it snows. He loved to lay in the yard and let the snow cover him totally, get up and shake the snow off and lay down and get covered again. This one is very painful for me and it is also the first time in over 30 years I have not had a Sheltie in residence. Go with the light my boy and know pain no more. You are now in a place where all four legs work perfectly again.
"Maggie"
Maggie: Red, standard Dachshund, born 5-15-83, moved in 3-1-96. (Spayed Female) 

Went to the bridge December 22, 1998. You will be greatly missed by several families.

She had pneumonia and antibiotics were no longer able to help. She suffered from Asthma all of her life so her lungs were on the weak side. She came to live with me March 1, 1996, 2 weeks before I moved to Montana. I had known her all of her life since she belonged to some friends. When their second daughter was diagnosed with asthma at age 2, all their animals needed new homes. I gladly took Maggie into my home and heart. She was the very best squirrel chaser/pointer/follower in the world. She would "hunt" them for hours and not even the dinner call would deter her. Now she is happily hunting squirrels at the bridge for all time. Rest in peace my love and know you will be greatly missed by all but especially by your two babies, the cats Jett and Tera. She raised them well.
"Jesse Dude"

Lil'Dude (previously known as Jesse): Pom/Chi/?, born early 1983 or late 1982, moved in 5-28-98. (Neutered male, approximately 17)
Went to the bridge December 22, 1998. You will be greatly missed by many.
His systems all just started to shut down at once and he had severe arthritis but moved around very well, considering. He came to me this last May. He was almost run over by a friend during a driving rain storm and of course she brought him here. We put ads in the paper, his "owners" answered the ad, came out and looked at him, said "yes, that is our Jesse, he is over 16 and we don't want him anymore". Here he has stayed since, wanted, loved, warm, fed, cuddled and a great bed warmer. He slept under the covers with me at night to stay warm. What a sweet old man he has been and I wish him the best on his new journey. May you never know lack or rejection again my good, sweet, old man.
"Chelsea"
Chelsea: Elkhound cross, born approximately 10-1-98, moved in 10-21-98 with her mom and three sisters.
Chelsea went to the bridge 12-1-98 and will be missed tremendously!

My baby Chewy, you never had a chance to play in the snow, play with the rest of the dogs here or show what potential you had in you. You went from healthy and bouncing to sick and gone overnight. You are my favorite of the pups, my heart puppy, the first to do everything, sample the wider world, learn to bark, eat solid food. My head does not understand why one so young must go so soon and my heart hurts at your loss.

Romp in peace at the bridge little one and know you were loved beyond measure.
"BoBo"

BoBo: Pekingese, born 12-3-85, moved in 9-12-97. (Neutered Male, 13)
Went to the bridge September 5, 1998. You will be greatly missed by all.

Ode to BoBo
On December 3, 1985 a litter of Pekingese was born.

They were active, playful and sweet
Making all the noises unique to Pekes.
One stood out from the rest
He was deemed to be the best.

BoBo was his name and a star he became.
He was tapped to go to shows
His hair not in bows.
He won and won and won
Then his owner lost his home.

Off to the shelter he did go
To a 96 year old lady that said let's go.
Three years later she said no more
So back to the shelter again, so poor.

He came to me by accident
Since he was adopted by a non resident.
Here he stayed due to snow
And loved he was till he had to go.

Rest in peace my sweet Peke
You have left a hole so deep.
They all said good-bye to you last night
And Buddy cried and cried, a sad sight.

You will rest easy under the trees
Facing the east as you did with ease.
Know you were loved with all of my might
And that you will have pain no more tonight.
Tributes 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

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