In Memory of Our "Shelter Survivors" Who Have Crossed Over The Rainbow Bridge
Years ago, I owned the very best dog in the world. I was a child when we got her. She was a graceful brown hound, a foundling who taught me that our pets are not purchased, but ordained. She romped when I did and knew how to smile in the funny way that only some dogs have. She grew up with me, always there when I needed her. My grown hand still remembers the sleek bump on the top of her head and that gentle divot just past her nose that fit my index finger just perfectly. She passed away during one of my college vacations. My heart broke then, and I knew that there would never be another dog like her, and there hasn't been. I was sure that I could never love another dog as much as I'd loved her. Fortunately, I was wrong about that part.
My next dog came into my life when I was married. My husband traveled for a living, and I was often lonely. This dog grew into a lumbering Wolfhound and Sheepdog mix who taught me patience. He was a large, grizzled sentry, that dog. He rarely left my side until the children were born, and then he became their guardian too. I can still feel that swirl of fur along his back and the weight of his chin when he rested it in my lap. When he passed away, my heart broke. As much as I had loved that childhood dog, I had been wrong. This was the very best dog in the world. There would never be another dog like him, and there hasn't been. I was sure that I would never love another dog as much as I'd loved him. I was wrong again.
We got the next one, a loping black Lab-and-Terrier mix, when the children were little. He taught me the importance of adapting. He was everyone's dog from the beginning, and that was just as it should be. When he played tug of war with the children, he dragged them across the kitchen floor as they shrieked with laughter. He always seemed to sleep in the room of the child who needed his company the most.
These days his face is expressively gray, and he spends more time with me since the almost-grown children aren't around so much. The other day my oldest, home from college, played tug of war. We all laughed--just a little-- as the dog was gently pulled across the kitchen floor. He is, of course, the very best dog in the world. I will never forget that exquisitely soft tuft of fur behind his ears or the tickly feel when he nuzzles. There won't be another dog like him.
And that's okay, because we will never be at this point in our lives again. Sometimes I've wondered why two species that get along so well should have such different life spans. It just doesn't seem right. And then I wonder if that's part of the lesson: To teach us that love itself has a spirit that returns again and again and never really dies. It's amazing, in a way, how they bring to our ever-changing lives exactly what it is that we need at that moment. They make room for one another, this family of dogs who has never met. And they fit--into our families, into our lives, into our memories, and into our hearts--because they always have been and always will be the best dogs in the world.
~ Author Unknown
My next dog came into my life when I was married. My husband traveled for a living, and I was often lonely. This dog grew into a lumbering Wolfhound and Sheepdog mix who taught me patience. He was a large, grizzled sentry, that dog. He rarely left my side until the children were born, and then he became their guardian too. I can still feel that swirl of fur along his back and the weight of his chin when he rested it in my lap. When he passed away, my heart broke. As much as I had loved that childhood dog, I had been wrong. This was the very best dog in the world. There would never be another dog like him, and there hasn't been. I was sure that I would never love another dog as much as I'd loved him. I was wrong again.
We got the next one, a loping black Lab-and-Terrier mix, when the children were little. He taught me the importance of adapting. He was everyone's dog from the beginning, and that was just as it should be. When he played tug of war with the children, he dragged them across the kitchen floor as they shrieked with laughter. He always seemed to sleep in the room of the child who needed his company the most.
These days his face is expressively gray, and he spends more time with me since the almost-grown children aren't around so much. The other day my oldest, home from college, played tug of war. We all laughed--just a little-- as the dog was gently pulled across the kitchen floor. He is, of course, the very best dog in the world. I will never forget that exquisitely soft tuft of fur behind his ears or the tickly feel when he nuzzles. There won't be another dog like him.
And that's okay, because we will never be at this point in our lives again. Sometimes I've wondered why two species that get along so well should have such different life spans. It just doesn't seem right. And then I wonder if that's part of the lesson: To teach us that love itself has a spirit that returns again and again and never really dies. It's amazing, in a way, how they bring to our ever-changing lives exactly what it is that we need at that moment. They make room for one another, this family of dogs who has never met. And they fit--into our families, into our lives, into our memories, and into our hearts--because they always have been and always will be the best dogs in the world.
~ Author Unknown
Sweet Stretch....
Dear Shelter Survivors,
Eleven years ago we adopted "Stretch", a most loving basset hound, through your organization. He was found wandering on Staten Island and was in the pound slated for euthanasia when Shelter Survivors stepped in. We adopted him at the end of April 11 years ago, and he left us this past April 15 at the ripe old age of 15. He had arthritis and had developed lymphoma which eventually caused him to cross the Rainbow Bridge. It broke our hearts to say good-bye to this terrific member of our family. He was great with whomever he met (other than being afraid of men with black goatees!). He adored our grandchildren and was definitely attached to my husband (though I was the one who wanted to add Stretch to our home).
I want to thank you for the tremendous job that you do and wanted you to know that Stretch had a loving home where he was spoiled rotten. He gave to us so much more than he got. Again, thank you so very, very much from the bottom of our hearts.
Audrey and Charles Balogh
Eleven years ago we adopted "Stretch", a most loving basset hound, through your organization. He was found wandering on Staten Island and was in the pound slated for euthanasia when Shelter Survivors stepped in. We adopted him at the end of April 11 years ago, and he left us this past April 15 at the ripe old age of 15. He had arthritis and had developed lymphoma which eventually caused him to cross the Rainbow Bridge. It broke our hearts to say good-bye to this terrific member of our family. He was great with whomever he met (other than being afraid of men with black goatees!). He adored our grandchildren and was definitely attached to my husband (though I was the one who wanted to add Stretch to our home).
I want to thank you for the tremendous job that you do and wanted you to know that Stretch had a loving home where he was spoiled rotten. He gave to us so much more than he got. Again, thank you so very, very much from the bottom of our hearts.
Audrey and Charles Balogh
Cutie-pie Cassie
Dear Shelter Survivors,
My heart is broken to have to share sad sad news. Cassie has had several bouts of what the vet diagnosed as an autoimmune problem. Another started yesterday morning and I got her on medication immediately and I got her to the vet within an hour. Unfortunately this bout of it was evidently too much for her little body. I was taking her from my vet to one that could give her a proper blood transfusion. She looked up at me, I scratched her head she laid her head down and was gone.
She was a truly wonderful little dog who was deeply loved and she will be missed terribly.
Gary
My heart is broken to have to share sad sad news. Cassie has had several bouts of what the vet diagnosed as an autoimmune problem. Another started yesterday morning and I got her on medication immediately and I got her to the vet within an hour. Unfortunately this bout of it was evidently too much for her little body. I was taking her from my vet to one that could give her a proper blood transfusion. She looked up at me, I scratched her head she laid her head down and was gone.
She was a truly wonderful little dog who was deeply loved and she will be missed terribly.
Gary
Gorgeous Goldie Mae
Dear Shelter Survivors,
It is with so much sadness in my heart that I write this tribute for our late Goldie Mae. In February of 2019, we unexpectedly lost Goldie to hemangiosarcoma. While we only had the joy of owning Goldie for 2 1/2 years, she gave us so many amazing things to remember her by. From her, awkwardly toothy smile to her eccentric butt shakes Goldie knew just how to put a smile on our faces. Goldie grew with us and was there as we got engaged and planned our wedding. She was an important member of our family and the true cornerstone of our relationship. Thinking back on her fondness for fuzzy blankets and belly rubs reminds us of our sweet girl that we had hoped for more time with. Goldie was an amazing animal with a gentle spirit and deep brown eyes that could gaze right into your soul. Even though she had a rough start in life, Shelter Survivors gave us a chance to give her the happy ending she deserved.
Bill & Nicole Thomas
It is with so much sadness in my heart that I write this tribute for our late Goldie Mae. In February of 2019, we unexpectedly lost Goldie to hemangiosarcoma. While we only had the joy of owning Goldie for 2 1/2 years, she gave us so many amazing things to remember her by. From her, awkwardly toothy smile to her eccentric butt shakes Goldie knew just how to put a smile on our faces. Goldie grew with us and was there as we got engaged and planned our wedding. She was an important member of our family and the true cornerstone of our relationship. Thinking back on her fondness for fuzzy blankets and belly rubs reminds us of our sweet girl that we had hoped for more time with. Goldie was an amazing animal with a gentle spirit and deep brown eyes that could gaze right into your soul. Even though she had a rough start in life, Shelter Survivors gave us a chance to give her the happy ending she deserved.
Bill & Nicole Thomas
Just perfect Ginger
Dear Shelter Survivors,
Eight and a half years ago we adopted our sweet little Ginger from you. Yesterday she went to the rainbow bridge. Her arthritis got so bad she just couldn't walk anymore so we made the painful decision to put her down. The vet came to the house and she quietly slipped away surrounded by her loving parents.
Thank you for saving her so many years ago. I always told her, " We needed a puppy and you needed people." God brought us together at just the right time. May she Rest In Peace.
Joyce
Eight and a half years ago we adopted our sweet little Ginger from you. Yesterday she went to the rainbow bridge. Her arthritis got so bad she just couldn't walk anymore so we made the painful decision to put her down. The vet came to the house and she quietly slipped away surrounded by her loving parents.
Thank you for saving her so many years ago. I always told her, " We needed a puppy and you needed people." God brought us together at just the right time. May she Rest In Peace.
Joyce
