Tributes and Remembrances for Adopted Dogs
Updated 9-8-02
"Cassie" To the Bridge 7-8-02
It is with a broken heart that I tell you that we lost little Cassie two weeks ago today. We have been so upset and I have just not been able to send you a message. I told you about her teeth we had to have out in February and at that time the vet noticed that her kidney values were high. So I took her in once a month to be monitored and we had to start giving her fluid under her skin at home. Then in early June she became very ill one Saturday morning. I took her to the vet and she had to stay in intensive care for the weekend. Her blood pressure was very high and the vet thought she had a stroke. We didn't think we were going to be bringing her home, but she surprised us. The vet was surprised too and said so many pets hang on because of love. She got the best food, care and love we could give her.

We prayed that we could have her for a while and we got one month. On Saturday, July 6th she began having seizures and continued having them every 3-4 hours. We consulted with our vet and decided to try medication, but by Sunday evening we knew we couldn't let her suffer any more. It was a terrible decision to make, but one we felt we had to make for Cassie. I held her in my arms as she took her last breath. I fell in love with that little girl the first time I saw her picture on your web site and she became so attached to me too. Thank you for letting us adopt her Donna. She could not have been more loved.

Lisa and Mark
Arrived in rescue 4-5-99 aged 4-5, Adopted 4-14-99, passed to the Bridge 6-13-01
"Reggie" It is with a sad heart that I am writing to you today. We adopted Reggie from you a little over two years ago, I am sure you remember Reggie as you had indicated to us that he was the only Scottish Terrier that had been through your shelter at the time.

About two months ago we had Reggie to the vet to have his teeth cleaned and to have him checked and get his shots current. They tested his liver function etc. and found him to be functioning normal. About two weeks later he started having digestive problems which we attributed to him getting into the neighbors cat's droppings in our yard as the cat's are always using our yard for their toilet. So we took him to the vet and he agreed that Reggie more than likely had an infection in his digestive system, so he put him on an antibiotic which he responded to and was feeling much better, then about a week later he started having problems again and was having difficulty breathing due to the pain, so the vet felt the series of antibiotics had not been long enough and put him on another series. Again he responded favorably and was back to his old self.

Then last week he started acting very different and did not want anybody touching him as he was in pain again and was bloating up, so we took him back to the vet. The vet took an X-ray and found a mass in his stomach, so we agreed to let him do exploratory surgery to find the problem and hopefully correct whatever was causing his digestive problems. After opening Reggie up, he found that Reggie had liver cancer and that it had spread to his intestines, because of the mass on his liver it was also pushing his intestines over to one side causing him additional problems and pain. After consulting with the vet we agreed it was probably best that we not wake Reggie up after the surgery, so we let Reggie go peacefully.

We have two very sad and upset girls in our house including Kathy and myself as we had hoped to have Reggie around for years to come. Reggie was the most perfect dog and gentleman and loved to go on his daily walks and car rides right up to the end. We all miss him very much and wish we could have him back, but he is now in a better place where he is no longer suffering. I am sure in the near future we will be looking for another dog but we agree that we will never be able to replace him as he was one of a kind.

Chris and Kathy
Arrived in rescue 2-24-99 aged 9+, Adopted 3-8-99, passed to the Bridge 6-11-01
"Flash aka Rusty" was a wonderful Shepherd cross that came into rescue when her "owner" grew up and went off to college. The family did not want her anymore and she lived her life tied to the front porch. She was very over weight, confused and tired on arrival on 2-24-99 at the age of 9.

She was a very smart dog, house trained, good with other dogs, learned to use the dog door right away and was loosing weight and looking better. However she needed a home where she was the center of attention again. She was adopted 3-8-99 by a friend and promptly renamed "Rusty".

Rusty was a great companion, a loving protector, loved chasing Bears and other critters out of her yard as well as the neighbors yards. She was a wonderful old girl that was spoiled, lived inside the house and loved and protected her new owner up to the end. Her hind legs went first and then all her bodily systems failed. She was tired and ready to go so she was lovingly released.
Run free now sweet girl with legs that now work like a puppy's and know you were well loved and are missed greatly. Betty will join you one day and you will again be "one unit".
"Heidi" To the Bridge 7-3-00 Heidi,
Little doxie with the sparkling eyes that always seemed to be trying to tell me something that I never could quite fully understand. Sometimes words are such a hindrance. Although you came into our lives for such a short time we will cherish the time you chose to spend with us and never forget our fondest memories of you. Toddling down the sidewalk hurrying to go for that "ride" with your Dad ...The snuggles in the arm chair in the evening in front of the TV... the way you began to come into your own - and boy did you! ... Snuggling in bed at the end of a hard day - somehow you always made Dad feel like everything was okay...

But time was not to allow what we wished for most...time to spend with you. You made the choice that we knew would have to be made someday...you went to the Bridge when this elderly body of yours made things too hard to carry on. Although we understand we regret losing you so soon. You went surrounded by those who loved you most. Heidi please say Hi to your previous Dad who went to the Bridge before you.- He can snuggle you until we meet again.

We will see you there someday- and what a reunion!!! And to all those who doubt that dogs have souls I can only smile sadly and say, " You never looked into my Heidi's eyes."

Til we meet again little one...God's speed
Lovingly Your Family...

And as a post script we would like to thank Donna Allen. Donna without you there would have been no " Hilda Hide" for us and for her we will be forever grateful!! Please know that we do appreciate all the hours that you spend and the countless things that you do to help these little ones ... old ... unwanted and for whatever reason not seen as having much if any value by the world....whatever their circumstances. Know that we, although we probably don't say it enough, can't express what you have actually done for us all. What a joyous reunion you have waiting for you at the Bridge and for that I envy you. You have surely earned your place in heaven.

The Castors
"Kelty" Kelty is a 14 year old Tri-color Collie. She is now in need of a retirement home. She is spayed, shots are current, a little hard of hearing, is healthy but has a bit of arthritis. Her owner is moving in July and can not take her along. Anyone out there want a wonderful dog that just wants to be loved for the time she has left?
Sadly, she passed to the Bridge 4-10-00

Run free sweet girl and know you were well loved while here. Your family will join you one day and you will all be complete once again.
"Molly" and her daughter Maude came into rescue 7-21-99. They lost their family due to spousal abuse and ultimately murder. Molly's "remaining owner" had no idea how old she was but she had cancer in the past and lost her lower jaw. She had a rough life but was one of the sweetest, most loving of little dogs and she always kept track of her shy daughter Maude. She and Maude were adopted 8-26-99 and lived in Oregon. She left behind her daughter Maude, the original Chi in the home Rashida and the newest pair of special needs adoptees Kyssee & Krykett. Rest in peace now little and know you were loved beyond measure!

Molly The Chihuahua
Gone to Rainbow Bridge on Jan, 22, 2000

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...
*Author Unknown*
"Hotdog" Arrived in rescue 7-23-99 ~8 years old,
Adopted 9-23-99 To the Bridge 1-3-00 It is with great sadness that I am letting you all know Hotdog, my 8 year old rescue Dachshund that was placed in September with my vet tech Heather, died this morning. I got the call from Heather this morning and she is just devastated.
Heather said Hotdog got sick New Year's day, she talked to the vet and they thought she had probably eaten something she shouldn't have. Heather went to the office yesterday to get some more special food for her and when she got home she had "what looked like a massive Parvo blowout but it definitely was NOT Parvo". She got her to the vet right away and she was put on IV's. This morning, while holding a client's dog, she heard Hotdog bark twice and looked over at her and she was seizing. She alerted the Dr., he rushed over and said it looked like she was dead. He checked her out and she was gone that fast. He did a necropsy and could find absolutely nothing that would
cause her problem and death. She had shown no signs of being ill until saturday so whatever it was it was very fast.

I am so sorry to have to send this sad news right as a new century is dawning. It was Hotdog's time I guess and all we can do is send her good vibes to help her across the bridge. Also, good thoughts for Heather would be appreciated as well. She is just devastated but her husband is in even worse shape. He and Hotdog were real buddies.

"Betsy"
Adopted from the Kalispell, MT shelter 7-1-98 ~8-10 years old
To the Bridge 9-13-99 and greatly missed by her mom, "brother" Woody and the cat, Princess Scarlet. Her mom writes:
Thank you for putting her into my life.I wouldn't trade a moment of my short time with that sweet gentle personality.
It came on very quickly. She was in for shots two weeks ago and everything was fine. Then last week she got very depressed, and she looked 'off;' muscle tone was poor, her fur got thin, bones were showing in her back and she got very bloated looking in the abdominal area. Ultimately (after testing and several opinions) the vet said that she either had a heart or liver condition and while we could do further testing, neither condition is treatable and she was in extreme discomfort if not pain. I had to carry the poor baby in to the vet. I just couldn't put her through feeling so bad any more. It's always such a difficult decision because one doesn't want to make it too soon or too late.
Please know that I loved her very much and really feel it was the right decision to make. We'll see her on the Rainbow Bridge.
Keep in touch. And thank you again-
Nancy Sue

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