Rainbow Bridge
WINSTON
Winston was the sweetest dog that you could ever know and a good dog. Winston came into rescue with a number of skin cancer tumors which have been removed by rescue. Unfortunately these tumors returned and we lost him at 7 years old to cancer. Winston was a sweetie and he was loved dearly. We will miss him.
KATIE
Our little foster dog is now in her forever home in the garden with our other precious pets. Katie was our best watch dog. A great character, she was smart and affectionate. She arrived with 3 major medical problems, congestive heart failure, digestive problems, and weepy, bulging eyes, so she looked like a Chiuaua/Italian Greyhound mix.
Not all dogs are chow hounds, but Katie sure was and, as time passed, all of her medical problems grew in severity. Since she loved food, it was sad on the days when we could hear her digestive tract noisy and squishing. That always meant she was going to be unable to not only to eat, but to have her pills which we put in a little ball of her wet food. Then, the only way we could help her is to give her a syringe of peptobismol or a pepcid , half a prilosec or a probiotic smeared with butter and shove it down her throat. Then she would usually be able to eat by the end of the day. This worked for years for the digestive problems.
Her eyes became worse with the bluish tint of cataracts, plus she had suffered a corneal injury to one of her eyes as well. Because her eyes were so bulging, we had to have her wear a hood at times to protect them for getting rubbed. Our other dogs tails wagging happily would slap her in the eyes at times, and even her own gaily wagging tail would hit her eyes as all the dogs would welcome us or whoever came to our gate.
At one point, because it rubbed against her drippy bulging eyes so much, damaging them even more, we had to take away Katie’s beloved fuzzy snuggle bed that she had learned to crawl into by herself.
The worse symptoms developed from her heart problem, the congestive heart failure (CHF). Toward the end of her life, Katie was on 4 heart related pills and valium.
But nothing stopped her unbridled enthusiasm. For a dog cookie, she’d jump from the floor up as far as she could toward the top of the counter, then push off it. To get our attention, she’d walk under the table making sure her body rubbed against our legs so we’d notice her.
She’d be the first one out the doggie door when someone drove up our driveway or was at our gate, hair standing up over her back on both sides, barking ferociously to protect the place. She seemed afraid of nothing.
Most of the time, I’d let her stay home when I took the other 3 dogs out for a walk. I’d let her decide if she was up to a walk. Unless, we were going to the beach. Then I’d pick her up and put her in the car where she would sit in front with our other elderly dog. At the beach, she always would bark happily at nothing in particular, just bark for the joy of being at the beach. This was the beach where no leash was needed, all dogs could run free. This was good for Katie as she could tolerate nothing pressing against her throat or chest due to the CHF.
A very affectionate dog, Katie appreciated being petted and would put her head under an empty hand so the person would get the idea of what was wanted and needed. When Erv would read the paper at the table, Katie often came to him, and stood on her back legs, front legs in his lap, waiting for a petting. At the end, though she had some fluid in her lungs and was bubbling a little, the fluid wasn’t enough that she coughed or foamed. We tried to make sure she was medicated enough to be comfortable, we tried to make sure the coughing didn’t get started, because, if it did, it was hard to stop. To make sure she was comfortable meant getting up several times during the night and then every day for about a week at 5am, in order to medicate her before the coughing could take hold.
Once Katie had passed, we brought out her favorite fuzzy, snuggle bed and lovingly placed her into it one last time, forever to be our garden guardian angel. We’ll miss her special energy here. Each dog has so much to give.
Goodbye for now Katie. See you beyond one day.
NONIE
The instant the shelter sent me your picture I knew I was in love, the minute they put you in my arms I knew you were going to break my heart. You had the heart to continue on, but you had so many other things that weren't going to let you. During your short time in my life you were given love, warmth, the softest beds, warm clean blankets, your own personal chef, and your own chauffeur for the multiple times you visited the vet. You in return gave kisses and showed me how happy you were. Nonie touched the hearts of all that met her, she was such a gentle wise old soul. Run free my little Nonie, all dogs do go to heaven.
INDIE
You came into our home very old, vision impaired, hard of hearing and very sick with years of neglect. We nurtured you with food, love and good vet care. You rewarded us and blossomed back to a loving old gal with a spirit that could not be broken. You ate like a horse and enjoyed the sun, you loved to snuggle next to my lap. My only regret is you didn't get to pass in my arms. Rest in Peace Little Indie girl, you were very much loved.
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...
Author Unknown