Rainbow Bridge
To read the Rainbow Bridge poem by William N. Britton, click on the picture at the left. |
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BARNEY, 1998 - Jan 26, 2010 Barney, the rock star dog--he was adored and loved by all. He was the Bruce Springsteen of the neighborhood! Everyone, humans and dogs, loved him, but the girl dogs loved him the most. The very little ones would jump up high to give him kisses. Barney was just a super cool dude dog, with a very mellow, sweet disposition. He came into Rescue after his former family left him tied to a pole for 3 days. A neighbor fed him during that time and turned him into Rescue. Thank heavens we found our way to each other! From the very beginning, he fit into our lives so easily, most especially with Athena, a special needs little red girl, with whom he played ever so gently. Then came Tommy and he, too, was taken in by the dude. Barney was a much loved companion to Athena and Tommy and me. ~Sarah C. IRIS, Feb. 8 - May 22, 2010
Iris and her 3 sisters were brought into rescue May 16th, 2010 at just 3.5 months of age. One after another they started falling ill with the Parvovirus. With a sad heart and tear-filled eyes, we let Iris cross the Rainbow Bridge just 6 days later. The Parvovirus was just too much for her little body to fight. We did all that we could to sustain her and give her the assistance that her body needed, but it wasn't enough and rather than let her suffer any longer we made the decision to let her go gently. Iris endeared herself to her foster family in the few shorts days she was with us. We will miss her and her shiny brown eyes. ~Ruth D., foster mom BUTCH, Dec. 24, 1994-April 24, 2010
Butch was surrendered to us April 3rd due to illness in his owner's family. He was deaf and had poor vision and limited mobility. Yet Butch showed he still had a decent quality of life and could smile and enjoy his stuffed toys. Jim S. fostered Butch and gave him a very loving, caring home for his last few weeks. Butch was able to keep Jim's Golden, Bode, from trying to escape. Bode became Butch's caretaker, watching over him, cleaning him, and being his constant pal. We discovered Butch had a collapsed disc at the back of his spine and infection in the spinal bones, causing a great deal of pain. He also had calcification of the prostate, indicative of prostate cancer. Our deepest thanks go out to Jim S. for giving Butch such care and attention. Butch passed at 4:30 a.m. in Jim's arms. Molly, 1999 - February 28, 2010
After being fostered for a short time, Molly fit so well with the other Goldens that she soon became an honorary Golden and a member of the family. She was also a velcro dog that soon made the backseat of my car her very own. Molly was very vocal and bossy. She let me know when she wanted "her" window down in the backseat, wanted her food, and when she wanted to go for walks. Although she was a senior when I adopted her, she kept up with the youngsters just fine until the day she passed. This big dog on short legs with huge ears, enormous feet, and a deep "woof" drew a lot of attention when we went on walks. I will never forget my Bossy Molly. Thanks for keeping me in line for your last 3 years. ~Kelli THISTLE, ~1997 - February 5, 2010
Thistle was rescued in the fall of 2007 from a shelter where he had been taken by his owner to be euthanized. Although initially I fostered Thistle, I quickly adopted him...he so obviously needed help and love as he had little reaction to any stimulation. It took a long time for him to show his true self, but finally he wagged his tail, ate sufficiently and became interested in the outside. He watched my other dogs explore the orchard, and with tail held high, he started sniffing, scratching and finally even eating persimmons that had dropped. Thistle thrived, interacting with the other dogs and visitors. He slept peacefully by my bed each night. He will be missed as he was a quiet, loving friend whose background may have denied him all he deserved, but he gave so much to my household. PEACHES, ~1999 - December 7, 2009
Peaches had a very hard life for her first 8 years... grossly abused to turn her into a guard dog, neglected, tied in a yard while she watched other animals steal her food. Luckily, neighbors turned her owners in and Peaches found her way to rescue and a foster home with me. We laughed when we took her to her first adoption event...she growled and bared her teeth at anyone who approached, not so subtly letting everyone know she wasn't going home with anyone but me. So Peaches adopted me and I adopted her. Deep inside she lived up to her name...she was a sweet, sweet peach, but she couldn't overcome her fear and food aggressions. When her sister Scarlett died, Peaches took over as foster mom and welcomed fosters into our home as best she could, although she still felt any 'chew' they had belonged to her. I hope the nearly three years she had with me made up for the horrible years that went before. I love you, Peaches. ~Barbara K. TIKI, November 30, 2009
Tiki
I have an ache inside my heart
It feels as though it is broken apart
My sweet old girl, I loved you so
But I knew I had to let you go
You brought joy and you were sunshine
So happy to be here and you were mine
You needed me, I took care of you
You gave me happiness and love so true
So many things with you were not well
But you didn't care and it was hard to tell
You had such a special and kind little soul
Without you, I just don't feel whole
You made me laugh with your silly ways
I was blessed to have you so many great days
Now you are somewhere far above
I hope you can still feel my love
Your body now matches your mind and heart
So find your wings and get a fresh start
But never forget that you're always with me
In my heart you always will be
I love you
Love, Breezy
LUCKY Lucky was a rescue dog owned and loved by the H. family: Heidi, Jeff, and Lucky's beloved kids, Maddie & Sam.
REAGAN, 1999 - November 26, 2009
A Golden Retriever/Irish Setter, Reagan was our fun-loving goofy boy. He joined the family in 1999 and hailed from Kings Bay, GA. Reagan added much joy to all our lives with his silliness and snuggles. He loved to play with his toys and could be found relaxing on the patio in the early morning hours. Reagan's favorite place to spend the day was on the arm of the couch where he could oversee the activities of the house. His favorite toy was anything that squeaked and he loved all treats! ~Mike & Liz D. | MEMORIAL GARDEN AND WALL
For a $25 donation, you can pay tribute to your furry companion who has gone ahead, and have his/her name inscribed on the wall. Click on Donate and note the name and tribute for the wall in the Comments area of PayPal or include with your check.
Beloved companion of Sarah C. See story at left.
Our littlest angel that stayed with us just 6 days. See her story at the left.
Our first Golden lost in rescue. See Butch's story at the left.
An honorary Basset Retriever who fostered many a Golden Retriever.
A gentle, old soul who found love and a better life in his last few years.
Charlie Brown was our first rescue. He was the quintessential gentle senior golden who just wanted to be loved and have a soft place to lay his head, love, something to eat and mostly love. We miss his gentle spirit, one that asked very little in return. ~Ruth & Vince Di G.
Evening Star's Golden Lucia's everyday name suited her better, as our Lucy made all the dogs and people who crossed her path feel at home. She was a rascal of a puppy who grew into an elegant and loving lady. Lucy was taken from us much too early at the age of 10 by a very aggressive cancer. She is still missed by all who knew her. We love you, sweet Lucy.
Beloved feline companion of Sam & Katherine The joy and love you have given me will stay in my heart forever. R.I.P my sweet Tiki dog. Go get your wings. I will always love you! ♥ ~Breezy S.
A little bundle of sweetness buried in a fearsome-acting exterior. No more arthritis now, Peach; you're a happy, romping puppy again. ~Mom
12/18/1999 to 3/12/2008
Koa was my beautiful, courageous boy who was pure love. He was a "show quality" puppy who was diagnosed with severe genetic hip dysplasia when he was 10 months old. His "respectable" breeder offered to exchange him for another puppy and euthanize him. At that very moment I became a rescue person and he was my constant inspiration! Koa and I chose to have several very expensive surgeries which were highly successful and he went on to do agility and run to his heart's content up until he was taken way too young by a horrible cancer. My only solace is that I cherished every day I had with him. Over the years, he was the consummate host to many visiting rescue dogs from Labrador and Golden Retriever rescues and he would always share his toys and treats and let them sleep in his bed and he seemed to bond most with the dogs that had been through the worst. He was regal in a way that cannot be explained by words. He taught me so much! If we could all be more like Koa, the world would be a peaceful place indeed. ~Heidi T.
8/28/90 to 7/25/2002
Marley was known by everyone who met him as "canine perfection". He was such a wonderful dog that people often complemented me on my skills as a dog trainer but really it was just that he was perfect from the start and I had little to do with it. When I started law school, I asked my parents to dog sit until I was settled and when I came home to get him, they flatly refused to let me take and stated that they simply could not live without him. So I had to do the right thing for him and let him live out his charmed life on the beach on Maui. I was already a devoted Golden lover before Marley but he managed to turn the entire family into Golden fanatics. He will always be missed! ~The Thorson Family
Red was a permanent foster. During the two years I had him, he welcomed many fosters, making them feel comfortable during their stay. Red was like the grandpa in his rocking chair watching over the youngsters, telling them to "knock it off" from time to time. His smile lit up any room. Red suffered a stroke and struggled valiantly for four months to stay with me, knowing how much I loved him and would miss him. ~Kelli M.
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