Dog: Spain – Louisville, KY (Died 08/17/2010)

My dog Spain brought so much joy and comfort in my life.

The pain in my heart from losing my beloved dog Spain, is too much to bare.

I will always love and miss him forever.

Dog: Angel (Sheltie) – Shenandoah, PA (10/01/95 – 10/03/09)

Dog: Tammy (Border Collie) – Devon England (1993 – 12/2009)

For the past 16 years, Tammy you brought happiness to our lives. Tammy was always trying to please, giving your love so freely.

Now you are gone but we will never forget you. Tammy, sleep well my “Bubsy”.

Love Mum & Dad xxxxxxx

Dog: Bridget (Border Collie) – Liverpool, England (02/1993 – 07/2009)

Bridget was a much loved member of the family and as you can see from this picture, very camera shy!

She looked like a puppy right up until her death but unfortunately old age finally caught up with her and she couldn’t walk properly towards the end of her life.

As a puppy, her nickname was Bridget the Midget and because she was the runt of the litter and hard of hearing, she was very loyal and clingy and never left our side.

Her best friend was another border collie called Eva who died last year.

R.I.P Bridget whose chief love in life was eating — including bananas having eaten a whole bunch when she was just a few weeks old!

Dog: Chaya Renee’ (Alaskan Malamute) – Sacramento, CA (Died 7/28/09)

An insight to a very tough decision I had to make recently for a loved one, and if anyone’s been through it, then they understand where I was coming from.

It was the response from those who didn’t or hadn’t ever felt it, which made me decide to post it. I received many kudos for something “well written”, “well said” and what a great writer I am……

No people …… I just wrote this from my heart.
JB

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It’s never an easy decision to make, or an easy thing to do, but animals rely on us their whole lives to make decisions for them, looking out for their best interest, and that is what we need to do.

It is the single most important decision we will ever make for them.

Although, it wasn’t easy making that decision for Chaya (Alaskan Malamute), I have to remember she was also 3 hours away from being put to sleep 7 YEARS AGO when I rescued her, so I know I added 7 QUALITY YEARS TO HER LIFE, which is what makes me smile during this time of grieving.

RIP Chaya, as I love you and will never forget you, as you were one special dog, who always showed me the appreciation for your extended stay on earth.

I remember bringing her home, and she bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping, just happy to be alive. (Hence her name, Chaya means “to be alive” in Hebrew)

When I would get home from work or anywhere, she would be waiting for me with her tail wagging and give me some of her RRRRooooooo’s, just to say, “Welcome home. I missed you.” She never asked for anything more than for me to pat her head so she could go to sleep with her head over my leg. As she got older, she moved around more slowly.

Then, one day last week, old age finally took its toll, and she couldn’t get up or stand on her wobbly legs anymore. I knelt down and patted her, crying and trying to make her young again. She just looked up at me as if to say she was old and tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, nothing ….. She had to ask me for one last favor.

Let her go with her dignity…

With tears in my eyes, I drove her one last time to the vet in my truck. I stopped under a tree in the shade near the river, and got into the back with her, and held her. We spooned for a good 10 minutes. One last time, she was lying next to me. We had to load her out of the truck onto a stretcher, but when nearing the door, she wanted off, so we put her down. For some strange reason, she was able to stand up. My jar dropped…

She walked over to a bush, did her thing and then she walked herself into the office. Perhaps it was her sense of pride, not sure, but it was a great thing for me to see her like that at the time.

As we where laying on the floor in the exam room, waiting for the vet, and reminiscing about our times together, she was telling me to stop crying and to “man up” and quit being a baby, things where going to be okay. That made me smile…

Well okay then Chaya Renee’, let’s go for a walk pretty girl.

When it was time, and we got to the bridge, and we could both see the rainbow on the other side, she lifted her head and looked at me as if to say,

“Thank you for taking care of me Bushey, you rock!”

I just looked right back at her and thought…

“No Chaya… thank you for taking care of me”…

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No matter how much I miss her, and struggle with her being gone right now, I am comforted by the fact that she has rejoined her mentor and best buddy Mogul for eternity!

Just thought some of you would want to know, thanks for your time.

JB

“Saving a dog may not change the world, but that dog’s world will be forever changed!

Dog: Mogul Allen (Red Wolf/ Shepherd Mix) – Sacramento, CA
(01/26/1995 – 02/27/2006)

This memorial is for my dog who passed in 2006, but his spirit lives on within my home. Since his best friend and lover Chaya, just crossed the bridge to be with him, I wanted him to have his own page also.

The following is the notice sent to family & friends to let them know that he took the long walk that day.

RIP MOGUL, YOU DA MAN !

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I am sending this notice to anyone who is, or has been a part of my life within the last 12 years. Most likely if you are one of those people, you crossed paths with my dog Mogul, who was one of the smartest dog’s around and he let you know it.

Today, after a little suffering, Jennifer and I assisted Mogul to the doggie steps of heaven, where he took the long walk to be reunited with his idol & mentor Kuda.

He will be missed by many I am sure.

Believe it or not, after the whole day consisted of nothing but rain here in Sacramento, the sun actually shined in through the vet window just seconds after Mogul went through the heavenly doors.

Call it good timing, a coincidence, or both….It made things seem alright. He was in peace, and that was his way of telling us so.

Over time, I am sure I will look back on him and his ways, and smile deeply within.

Until then, it will be a struggle …..

Still miss this dog BIGTIME, but he lives on in my others…

Dog: Kandy (Beagle) Bradenton, Fl (05/16/1996 – 09/03/2009)

To our beloved Beagle, Kandy. I am writing this before I have to. I hope you will still be home when I get there so that I can read it to you.

Kandy, I remember the day that your mommy and I first saw you. You were not quite 8 weeks old. I picked you up, and you peed on me. Then I handed you to your future mommy, and you peed on her too! Wasn’t funny at the time, but has been a private joke between us. We decided that it must have been a sign.

We returned several days later to pick you up. You were so tiny. I could almost hold you in one hand, We brought a towel in case you had any accidents. We then went to what would turn out to be your favorite place, Petsmart. I had you in a shopping cart, with the towel around you. Shortly thereafter you started to cry. Understandably, it was the first time away from your real mother. I picked you up and you stopped crying.

One of the ladies there thought you were so cute that she took a picture of you. You were so tiny and innocent. We picked out your food, crate, and toys. When we got home I had to go to work, leaving you with your mommy. Wasn’t long before she called me, almost hysterical, because you had no training yet, and did your thing on the carpet, several times. Was not a good way to start out.

Over the next few weeks you did a decent job of learning about doing your thing outside, although you wouldn’t be afraid to do it in your crate.You were one rambunctious little puppy dog. You had no problem playing with my socks, especially if my feet were still in them. You would really wear me out when we played.

You had the ability to jump right on me where it would hurt the most. I actually had to teach you how to bark. I would get down on the floor and bark in your face. Same thing with howling. Was hilarious for me to get down and try to get you to imitate me. Your mommy thought I was crazy!

You did have a bad habit, just like all little kids, of picking up things in your mouth. One day we noticed a very small battery was no where to be found. Your uncle Randy said to pour some hydrogen peroxide into your mouth to make you vomit it back up. That was hard for us to do, to make you sick. Never did find the battery. One other day was VERY bad.

Your mommy saw you pick something up that you should not have. She tried to take it out of your mouth, and you bit her very badly. She has scars on her hand from this. I decided that we could not deal with a biting dog. The next day I took you up to the local animal shelter to put you up for adoption. Fortunately, you wouldn’t go in. I could have forced you to enter, but was breaking my heart, so I took you home.

We took you to Petsmart for puppy preschool. The instructor told me that she did not envy me trying to train you. She says Beagles do not know what the word “NO” means. They also follow there noses. Boy was she right. The day that you were supposed to “Graduate” from Preschool was the day you were spayed. You were really not with it, as you were still under the effects of the anesthetic. Mommy went to get your “Diploma”, leaving you and I home.

I was holding you for quite some time just like a baby. I feel that is the night that you and I bonded. It seems that your favorite place to be after that was in my lap, or on my shoulder like a parrot. We have many pictures of you this way. We also have a picture of you on the tonneau of my truck when you were so small.

The first time we went on a trip, we didn’t know how you would take being in a car for so long. We got some pill that really knocked you out of it. Your eyes were almost all the way back into your head. I decided that we would never do that to you again. We went to Georgia for Thanksgiving. Was really cold when we got there. No snow, but very heavy frost on the ground. When I opened your crate you jumped right onto the ground. You slid all over the place. Then you jumped right back into the truck because you didn’t like the cold on your paws. Was really funny to watch you do this.

I think you decided then that you really liked to go “bye-bye”. All we had to do was ask, and you would start to howl. Then we would spell so you wouldn’t know what we were talking about. But you soon learned what certain spelled words meant. Primarily bye-bye, cookie, visit, Petsmart and even Tramstep, which is Petsmart spelled backwards. Your mommy would get you to sing to her to the tune of reciting the alphabet. Was the cutest thing to see and hear.

You learned a few basic tricks. You would shake with your left paw, rather than the right. I guess the right is too ticklish. You would do high fives, sit, and down. getting you to roll over never happened. We might get you to roll on your back if you wanted your tummy rubbed, but I don’t think you ever rolled all the way over. One trick you learned by yourself amazed me. You learned how to open the sliding door into your mommy’s bathroom. Is funny to see you do it. I guess that you feel most secure in there.

You used to always try and sit in daddy’s lap when we went somewhere in the car. You could be a handful. When mommy would get out at the store, you would get in her seat. Was a challenge to get you back where you belonged. You learned real quick that everyone loves you. Anyone within your line of vision was there just to see you, at least you thought that. Some people would ask what kind of DOG you are. We would reply, “She is not a dog. She is a hairy little kid with a big nose!”.

We would always get a laugh at that. Whenever we go to the bank they make sure you get a cookie. You would get disappointed if we went through a fast food drive through and not get a cookie. So we started bringing them with us. We didn’t want you to feel left out!

There are several other memorable occasions that will be reason to remember you always. When we had the fifth wheel camper you always had to climb up the stairs to be in the front bed with me. It was funny how you were determined to get up there. Once you did get up there though, you would toss and turn all ight long. Kept going in circles, and pawing at the blankets to get comfortable.

There was also the year that we rented a car to go on vacation. The back seat was buckets that folded down. We put pillows in between the seats so you wouldn’t fall down there. It was funny when you did as we were driving down the road. You fell into the gap and couldn’t get out. you looked at us as though saying mommy and daddy I cant get up. You also did something very hilarious that trip. There was a big pillow for you to lay on. Your mommy looked back to see you flipping the pillow up in the air as if it was a toy.

Speaking of toys … you were one destructive little girl. Your favorite toy would always be a stuffed frog with a squeaker inside. You went too many of these to count. You would love to play catch with it, or tog of war. You tore many frogs legs off over the years. Several of them we had to take out the squeaker as we were afraid you would swallow it.

Kandy, this is the hardest letter I have ever written. You have been our companion for over 13 years. Unfortunately, your health is declining rapidly. The tumors on your poor body don’t seem to bother you. But you have a severe heart murmur. You also are suffering from an enlarged heart, which means your heart is unable to function as it should. You are retaining too much fluid in your abdomen.

Your doctors say would be too dangerous to try and drain that fluid off. I am going to have to do the hardest thing in my life very soon. All too soon. I am going to have to let them put you to sleep. I promise you that I will be there to hold you! I would do anything at all possible to not have to do this. I do not want you to suffer. I look back over the last 17 mos with being away, and realize how much I have missed you and your mommy. I will have missed your last days.

Your mother gave me a shirt a few years ago. I always thought it kind of tacky, until now. It is the shirt that I will wear only one more time. It states ” Dogs ask for so little, but give so much”. Truer words have never been spoken!!!!!!! I will be wearing that shirt on your last day with us. That is going to be a very bad day for all of us. Some people say that dogs don’t go to heaven because they have no soul. I choose to believe that you will be going someplace that I will be with you again.

Kandy, your Mother and I will miss you more than you can imagine. We will remember you always. You have been the best member of our family. You were never a dog. You ARE a hairy little kid with a big nose!!!!!!!

R.I.P. Kandy Lynn Cook

May 16, 1996-September 3, 2009

P.S. The above memorial was written prior to passing of Kandy. It was written with a love for a precious being. The end came much sooner than we were prepared for, although it was inevitable. The end came rather rapidly. She deteriorated quite fast over two days. Her appetite just about disappeared, and she would not even eat her cookies. The night before her passing I was talking to her and she came over for a hug. Then she gave me several kisses on my forearm, almost as if she new it was time to leave us. The next day our worst fears came true. Kandy would eat nothing, and would not get up to do her daily business.

We took her to the Banfield Pet Hospital in Petsmart. They knew Kandy quite well and were as saddened as we were that it was time. We were allowed time to say our goodbyes in privacy. When we were ready the vet came in and prepared us for what might occur. We both were holding Kandy as he gave her the injection. It seemed quite quick, and painless, as Kandy just went limp as if in a deep sleep. We were allowed as much time as we needed to be with her. We stayed approximately 30 minutes before we decided to leave. On the way out I turned around and went back to her for one last kiss. The only comfort that we were able to salvage was that our wonderful family member would no longer suffer.

Greg

P.P.S.

Kandy was the best dog in our life. She was like a little kid. She usually came to us when it was time for her dinner. One Halloween I decided to make her a costume. It was a sunflower skirt and had a headband. The shirt also had sunflowers on it. She took it all in stride, as she was mommy’s little live drss up doll. On more than one occasion she let me dress her up, and was very good at standing still while I dressed her. There will never be any dog that could or will take her place. She kept her mommy company while daddy was away. She would sleep right by the side of my bed, waiting to be sure I didn’t oversleep in the morning. She would lay by my chair and occasionally look up as if to be sure I was still there. She would always follow me around the house, and had to be underfoot at the same time. She knew when it was time to go to bed, or to go out on the porch when I had to leave. I will miss her dearly.

Barbara

We will NEVER forget Kandy!

Dog: Tuffey – Bangalore – India (09/13/2005 – 09/13/2009)

Our pet Tuffey is a Stray Mongrel – Labrador mix. He was put to sleep on a beautiful Sunday morning and was left to a better place on the 13th, Sept 2009 after a long battle with lymphatic malignant cancer for a few months.

He was the center of all attention and gave love to all of us. Tuffey was the most loving dog. Everyone loved him. He heard all our conversations, gave us some good peace of mind, specially to all at home.

Even as I type this, I have tears rolling down and a sore throat.

I have always loved my dog and cannot forget him. I believe they have a soul and hope he remembers us andn plays with us when we all meet him one fine day.

Forgive us Tuffey, Forgive lord.

I’m sure you’re smiling now, waiting for us to take you for a walk again. We’ll play and have fun forever.

Rest in peace my loving pet.

Love always,
Ajay

Dog: Mimi – Dallas, GA (10/17/1999 – 07/15/2009)

Mimi, a  Toy Chihuahua, was a spunky old gal who lived life to the fullest. She loved going Bye-Bye and she loved cold slushies on a hot GA Summer day. She was truly loved.

Mimi came into our lives so quickly and before I blinked ….. she was gone. I miss her and I want everyone to know that YES she wore clothes. She loved them. In fact, she loved junk food, as well as a nice warm lap to lay in. She loved to cuddle and snore.

Most of all, Mimi was very loved by all of US! She was our baby and spoiled rotten, and she knew it. So did half my family and friends. She never met a stranger she didn’t like. She was too friendly. She was playful and gentle.

She had her own share of my bed for 9 years and her own side of the couch that she hogged. Most of all, she loved with all her might. She was the best gal I ever had. I loved her for all my life. She will always be my MIMI, my BABY, my BUBBY.

She was loved, oh yes …. very loved. I wish you all knew her. Today I had to give her back to Jesus to go play with her friends at Rainbow Bridge and meet her brother who passed not long ago.

I miss her and my heart is aching to pet her, to kiss her, to call out her name. I know where she’s at, but she won’t hear me. I never knew love was that powerful. Oh, I didn’t know I loved her so.

She was my “sunshine” and today she passed so quickly. Her life was gone and today I’m alone for the first time In 9 years. Oh how lost I am without my side kick. Oh how I wish this was all a very bad dream. But I know tomorrow I’ll awake without her and my heart will ache for her.

I miss you Mimi and will always love you.

May GOD Smile Upon You … Today … Tomorrow and Always

Love, Jess
xxxx

Dog: Brandi – Briarwood, NY (04/27/1997 – 06/12/2009)

Brandi was a Labrador & Grey Hound mix. She was adopted from the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington Long Island New York. At that time my boyfriend and I decided to get a puppy to keep me company as he worked as a flight attendant in order for me to have some companionship.

I had decided to adopt a male dog and call him Brandon. Once at the North Shore Animal League, I fell in love with a beautiful puppy that turned out to be a girl. I had to have her. Needless to say, Brandon became Brandi.

Brandi was a dog full of energy and love. The type of loving girl that cries when you leave and when you come back, even if you were gone only 5 minutes. Brandi was friendly with all people and other animals. She was the welcoming committee. I slept with her everyday until she became a senior dog and she could not make it onto the bed anymore. As Brandi became older and more ill my boyfriend prepared her meals daily. Yes, home cooked meals and managed to keep her weight under control in the most amazing way.

Brandi developed a cancerous tumor on her neck. Fortunately the tumor was on the outside of her body. For about four years I would surgically remove this tumor that kept growing back bigger and bigger. I removed about 4 tumors a year for 4 years. Last year the tumor stop growing. It seemed as if the fight was won. The vet was impressed with this and said I added at least two years to her life. Brandi was always very good during this procedure. It was very upsetting for me to do this and the healing process was a battle in itself, with a moving dog with a thick coat.

In the last year Brandi developed more tumors but they were in her abdomen and hind legs. She became lethargic most of the time. There were times when she was full of energy and would play with Apollo, our second dog that was adopted to give Brandi a companion at age 6. Brandi had her own dog. Brandi was the type of dog that always seemed to be happy and smiling.

Brandi developed very bad arthritis, where walking became more about collapsing. Along with that came incontinence as well. When she got to the point that she would not attempt to drink water or eat unless it was brought to her and the fact she could not climb the stairs to get inside anymore, it was time to put her to sleep.

It was a decision that to this day we cry and have suffered a terrible loss. We were with Brandi to the last breath at the vet’s office. I was face to face with her and kissed her lots. Very ill humans do not have it this good. She literally feel asleep quick and without pain.

Brandi was cremated and her ashes are kept in an urn with a beautiful Brass plate, that has her photo as the one seen in the memorial.

(Apollo meets Silas)

Silas, a Jack Russel Terrier immediately became a new member of the family to help us recover in such a horrible time of mourning. Silas came to his new home at 10 weeks old. He has definitely helped with the pain of the loss of our beloved Brandi. It has been a month and I still wake up crying. I still find myself looking for her…

There is a song on the radio that keeps coming on that goes “FIRST TIME, EVER I SAW YOUR FACE” and I think of Brandi and start crying. I find myself saying in my mind everyday “Good morning Brandi, Good night Brandi, I love you Brandi, God please hold her for me for when I arrive” daily.

(Apollo misses Brandi)

Our dog Apollo is still mourning Brandi terribly. He has been completely inactive and sometimes has to be convinced to eat. Apollo is just opening up to Silas after nearly a month. Yes, dogs do mourn other dogs. Even though we are grateful for Silas, who has made it a little easier, Brandi’s absence is still very much real.

Brandi, you will be in our hearts forever and we thank you for all the love you have given your whole life. We love you.

Mario Alvarado, Perry Mondidu, Bobby Dean, Apollo Alvarado

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This poem is Brandi ….. the best girl in the world:

The Rainbows Bridge Poem

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 to them, who had to be 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 quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him 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 the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….