This is Molly, loved dearly for all her 8 years. She will live in our hearts forever. Please visit her page here.
Our Maggie was born on March 7, 1994, and died on February 20, 2001 of cancer. When
one of us came home, she would wait right by the door as soon as she
heard the familiar car and would cry in joy at our arrival. She was
right there when the door was opened; our homecoming was the
highlight of her day. She loved to play in sprinklers. She would go
running up to one (while it was on), and jump right on top of it and lay
there until we chased her off. Her other favorite game was playing tug
of war with a (partially deflated) basketball. She also thought she was
a (75 pound) lap dog. Her call name was Maggie; her full name was
Princess Marguerite.
She is missed very, very much by Dad Gary and Mom Sheryl, and Field.
November 1979-August 1990. Pandi, acquired from a "breeder" in early 1980, when I was first bitten by the OES bug. We found her, along with her 4 month-old brother in a dirty run-down barn with two or three other litters of various ages. They were terrified of us and hid under the rotten floor boards of the barn, if you can imagine. Socialized, they were NOT! We took her home with us and, to this day, wish we had taken her brother as well. God only knows what happened to the poor, little fellow. She remained, all her life, frightened of most people. Her favorite thing to do, however, was to sneak up on those she knew well and bark very loudly. With her immediate family, she was loving and sweet and trusted us implicitly. She showed signs of severe hip dysplasia and heart problems in later life, but we managed the pain well and she was a happy girl until the very end, when she could no longer navigate at all. She's at the Rainbow Bridge, as the matriarch of the "family", keeping all together until we can join them. Carry on, Pandi.
November 1984-April 1995. Cassie arrived when Pandi was five years old. How happy the little one was to have a big sister. It was amusing to watch Pandi teach her the proper manners; one had to watch closely as a slight lip curl told Cassie all she needed to know. She went through all the expected puppy stages, including chewing inappropriate items. But things within easy reach from the floor didn't satisfy her; she crawled as far up on the furniture as she could get and retrieved things hanging on the wall! I finally caught her one day, gently removed her from the top of the sofa, placed a muzzle on her and walked away for about 15 minutes. She never chewed another thing unless it was given to her. Cassie had been an assertive puppy and grew into the 'alpha' of the household, next to the 'uprights', of course, and after Pandi was gone. She was the one that I swore could understand every word I said to her and seemed to remember conversations after several days. She also 'planned' activities. Uncanny! She developed a particularly vicious strain of cancer and was put to sleep with the household in attendance. She and Pandi, such good buddies, were together again.
"Sam" came to us in the summer of 1994, the product of a wolf/hybrid breeding. Her former owner agreed to give her up if we could find a sanctuary for her. We did find placement for her with the help of the U.S. Humane Society's regional office, which at that time was in Kansas. For a short time, I was able to keep in touch with the people who took her in; then they seemed to disappear from the face of the earth. I tried for weeks, calling every entity and agency in the state they supposedly resided, but no one knew of them. Finally, recently, one kind person was able to put me in touch with another that had some information. I am in the process of tracking her whereabouts, knowing that she must be dead by now, but hoping someone will remember that sweet girl and that her life wasn't as dreadful as I fear. Please read her story here and say a prayer for Samantha.
Absolutely Serenda Rose, CGC, HI, SDX (I made this one up; Service Dog Excellence) She made me
laugh, she made me cry but above all this, she LOVED me. Serenda had a real zest for life. She was on the go from the time she got up until she went to bed at night. She had to pack all she could into each day.
His favorite activities, besides playing with his huge assortment of toys (one of which ALWAYS seemed to be in his mouth), were pick-up rides with husband Terry, visiting the nursing home where I work, lounging on top of an antique trunk under the picture window in our living room (where he could watch the cars go by), and receiving lots of attention from our visiting nieces and nephews. He could be a sneaky little fellow, running off to play with the bigger dogs and returning bedraggled, muddy and full of cockleburrs. Lucky that I am also a dog groomer! Halloween was a special time at the nursing home; most of the staff would arrive in costume. PJ and I became, for a day, Dorothy and Toto or Little Orphan Annie and Sandy. He was in his element and always a big hit with everyone. When the children would visit our home, they were awakened at first light with piles of toys and a thorough face washing. Then it was a contest as to who could acquire and hold onto the most toys. And, of course, they would see to it that he received his favorite treats; popcorn, marshmallows or McDonald's French Fries! Christmas was the most exciting time for PJ. As decorations began appearing, he wriggled in anticipation. He knew which presents were his, wrapped carefully and tucked under the tree, but showed great restraint in leaving them alone until given permission to tear them open, even though I DID tease him a bit with them!
He suffered with arthritis during the early part of this year, then suddenly developed congestive heart failure. For the first time in his life, he lost interest in his beloved toys. He went to Rainbow Bridge, with our tears and blessings, on May 21st, sixteen days after his eleventh birthday.
The quiet times at home are when his absence is felt the most; he would follow me from room to room just to be close. PJ was our baby; spoiled, loved and missed terribly. God speed, little one. "My little dog; a heartbeat at my feet" Edith Wharton For the first month, she was frightened of our steps to the back yard and I fear she'd been shoved or thrown down stairs when her previous owners became impatient with her. Tesha was a kind and tender-hearted dog, trying hard to please us. A constant clown, she loved playing with her canine siblings, Alex and Lakota, and her feline brother, Manie. Manie always seemed to get the best of her and, even though de-clawed, knew how to give her a good pop with his front feet. He would stalk her, pounce, and it was hilarious to watch them play, especially when they would pause to make sure we were an attentive audience. She liked everyone and, because of her friendliness, was a favorite with many, people and animals alike. It didn't matter what the activity was, she wanted to be in the midst of it. Whether it was going for a run, taking a car ride, trips in the 18-wheeler; she loved it all. Even trips to her vet for check-ups were joyful for her and, as she was well-behaved, was a favorite with the staff at the clinic as well. I loved watching her sleep, curled up with her favorite toy, a soft, fluffy squeaky. Her tongue would stick out as she snored away. Many of our special times were spent quietly cuddling, with me whispering to her. She really was a 'velcro' dog. As she aged, arthritis developed in her back. It progressed and began affecting her hind legs. Soon, walking, getting up and down, eliminating, all became very difficult. I raised her food and water bowls so it was easier for her to eat and bought 'wheels' to replace her legs. As I strapped them on for the first time, she looked at me as if to say, "You've GOT to be kidding!" She was 'cool' with her new legs, scooting all over, realizing that they kept her from falling, and so proud of them. However, within about 4 months, her feet were dragging, causing sores, and it became too much of an effort to even use them. She began to lose control of her bowels and the quality of her life was sadly lacking. It was time to say good-bye. I knew I couldn't keep her for myself any longer. Her last day was spent with us together, doing what she loved best, being cuddled and talked to. The next morning, her vet gently helped her pass and it was one of the saddest days of my life. It was my final gift to her; letting her go. She was my best friend, my shadow, and no day passes that I don't miss her. There is always some little thing that reminds me of the life and love she shared with us. But I know she is at the Rainbow Bridge, healthy and whole, running and playing with all her friends, waiting for me to join
her. I love you and miss you,Tesha. You will be in my heart forever.
More to Come 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 begins to quiver. 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.....Author Unknown
May 5, 1990-May 21, 2001. PeiGin, (pronounced pay-gin, which in China, where his breed, the Shih Tzu originated, means 'white-gold') or PJ, as was his eventual nickname, was so full of life and brought joy to so many.
June 17, 1989-May 21, 2001. It was LOVE at first sight. I had answered an ad posted by, I realized as soon as I entered the home, a 'back-yard breeder'. I never made it to the puppy pen where the Boxer puppies, all fawn, were playing. Coming toward me, crouching against the wall and piddling submissively, was a 5 month-old female Boxer pup, all white. My decision was made in a split-second; Tesha Marie, formerly Candy, was going home with me!
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.
Copyright © 2000
Pages by "snowshoe"