"Providing a bridge from despair to hope"
"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us." - Robert Louis Stevenson
In memory of Jesse...
Sweet Jesse passed away from cancer on July 19th leaving behind Mocha, Bella Rue, and Molly. Jesse came to me three years ago through Special Needs Dobermans as an abuse case from Boise, ID. Emaciated, dehydrated, and scared to death, it took a while to win him over. Once he started to trust me he blossomed into a gentle, sweet, and goofy boy. Every day, at least once, I'd look across the room while spreading my arms wide and say, "I need a dober hug". He'd jump up and run over, positioning himself just right so that all I'd have to do is bend over and wrap my arms around him and give him a squeeze. Life is a little less bright without him. -Debra____________________________________________________________________________
In memory of Brewster...
Brewster came into our lives a few short weeks ago, a boy named Blue. He was forgotten and unloved, abused and neglected. He had been living on a chain, covered in fire ants with no way to get free of the agony. Ava took him home and wanted only to make him better. The vet check did not go well, Blue was HW positive, anemic, and emaciated. Dr. Judi Vogt with the Charlotte Humane Society took over the care of Blue in a desperate effort to save his life. Blue was renamed Brewster and was enjoying the love that both Ava and Judi were showering on him; a soft bed, good food, cool air and clean water, but it was too late...
Brewster took a turn for the worse. The coughing more frequent, his belly began to fill with fluid, the horrible side effect of severe heart disease. There would be no reprieve for Brewster, his race was run and within the loving arms of Judi and the blessed memory of Ava... Brewster crossed the bridge. Try as we might, we are not always able to save every doberman, and in this case, he had spent too many years uncared for and unwanted. Our only consolation is that his last weeks on earth were with people who loved him, people who cared whether he lived or died, people who will not forget him. Thank you...
And as he started crossing over the "Rainbow Bridge" he turned, knowing that the bad things had left his mind. He only would remember soft touches, smiles and real love shown by Ava and Judi. He knew his condition, he knew there was no other way, even that final decision showed love and caring to him. He wagged his nub almost prancing as he walked on thinking of his real happiness and one other thought " I love the name Brewster". He then disappeared in the light to run, jump and eat all he wants, never to forget two angels and so many prayers here on earth that changed his life forever. -Michael Taylor
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In memory of Laddie...
In March of 1997 I went to the Delaware Humane Society to look for a new puppy. When I first saw Laddie I fell in love. When I first saw Laddie she looked like a angel with cute little deer eyes and looked like a furry little bunny rabbit. At first I was told she was not available , and she was on hold for someone else, so I insisted on a second hold. As fate shined on me, Laddie became a part of me and my family. All throughout her life she was the alpha leader to all the other furry children. She was very motherly and nurturing and she helped all the other dogs learn the rules of the household. She was very happy and full of joy, she never just wagged her tail, she wagged her whole body. Her loss was sudden and unexpected. We didn't have a chance to say goodbye, but realize that was her way of protecting us from making a difficult decision. For that we are thankful. She chose to pass quietly in the night (Thank you Ry Ry for being by her side until morning). Thank you Laddie for being a part of my life for so long and I will never forget all the fun that we had and the hard times you helped me get through. You will be greatly missed until we meet again. -Rebecca , David and Hannah
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In memory of Jade...There are times in life when fate steps in to right a wrong... such was the case with Jade. For whatever inexcusable reason, Jade was dumped in a rural shelter by her owners. This was not a young, easily adoptable healthy female, on the contrary; she was over 12, intact, unkempt
and unvetted. There was no room in rescue for this old girl, especially down south where dumping a dog is common, and that's when fate stepped in...
Summer opened her heart and her home and welcomed Jade into her life. Didn't matter that Jade would soon be diagnosed with cancer and her time would be short. This tough as nails old girl had found her way home, to a new brother in Jonesy and loving mom Summer... there were days filled with playing on the beach, laying on the couch and doing the happy dance for her favorite activity- eating! Jade learned the joy of gentle pats and would sit happily to hear her favorite words..."you are such a pretty girl". And she was definitely a pretty girl...
She will never be forgotten. Good bye sweet Jade... -Mom and Jonesy
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A Letter to my father....
My life has been so confusing. I have gone between a world of abuse and fear, to a world of never ending love. I knew you had done the same thing, but later in your life. The one thing that kept me from giving up, was to look at my Dad with such pride. You always stayed strong during the Hell that we endured. I am sorry that I broke during all of the madness. I tried to stand tall, like you, but I was forced by fear to hide.
I tried to avoid the mayhem, by standing in your shadow. When we were taken to die, you told me not to be scared, all would be fine. You explained, if we were saved by someone, life would have to be better. Then you whispered, that if we were to die at a place we never knew, that at least we were going to a better place. You explained the Rainbow Bridge and once you cross over; there is nothing but happiness. You knew that all we wanted was for a Dad and his son to be happy with their surroundings and life.
I remembered the look in your eyes as we entered the place. It was the first time that I saw fear in your eyes. That caused everything inside of me to change, I had seen fear in the eyes of the one I loved and looked to, for protection. You motioned to me to hold my head up and not to cry. The bad person pushed us back and forth and then took the other dog, you and me, into a room we had been to before for healing. You told me even you were confused by the place you come to heal and get better, is also the place that would take our life.
The doctor that had helped us before, entered. He talked, in sometimes strange, tones to the wicked one. The time passed so slowly and I wondered why so long to have us die and find that bridge. The crazy lady turned and walked away and we, the three of us paced, awaiting our fate. Again, you told me to be strong and hold up my head, like you. Every noise, every movement scared me and you my hero stood so strong and I knew it was just for me.
We were put into vehicles and taken to another place. You turned to me and said, we have been spared, we were rescued. The people were so special, both you and I could not contain our excitement. They gave us food, treats, comfy beds and smiles. Every touch was genuine. You told me to grow to be a great guy and to make you proud.
You were chosen by a family and as you left to go to your "Forever Home", that dream place, you turned to let me know there was hope and these people could be trusted. I stayed for a while and then so luckily, I found my "Forever Home". I had grown to love those that had saved us both, but I felt something that I had not felt before. I knew you were feeling that exact same thing. Happiness and an emotion, only shared by the two of us, love. I had heard of your home and the new world, you had been filled with happiness. We both had achieved this perfection.
I was told, today, of you going to that Bridge, because of being ill. I so much wished that you had the chance much earlier in life, to feel this Euphoria. There was a tear in my eye and my new "person Daddy", wiped it away. I lived the way you had said, being proud of myself. You had given so much to me, that I always felt you near. Now that you have passed over the bridge, I know you are truly as happy as when you went to your family and became Harley.
I will never be able to be as wonderful and strong, as you were. I will remember, forever, the things you have taught me on survival. I was tortured and I carried that for so long, even some still today. There was one thing that made so much of a difference, it was your love, that you shared with me and your "Forever Family". I will forever feel protected and loved with my new family, but I will conquer all of my fears, because I will be forever "protected in your shadow". Your impression has positively affected so many people, you have always been the strong one and the loving one in the minds of so many.
I will miss you and I hope I make you proud of me always. I have always been proud of you. I wish you peace as you cross over the Bridge, and remember, I love you.
Your son, Baylor Taylor
In memory of Baylor J Taylor, beloved friend and companion of Michael Taylor.
Rest well sweet boy, shine bright and wait for us, we will meet again. - Teka
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Baylor
Dad & Mom