Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge
To a poor and lonely stray I’d give: I’d Will to the sad, scared shelter dog, the place I had in my human’s loving heart, of which there seemed no bounds. So, when I die, please do not say, “I will never have a pet again, for the loss and pain is more than I can stand.” Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope and give MY place to HIM. This is the only thing I can give… The love I left behind.
“Banjo is a puppy mill survivor! She adopted Amanda (a human) for her Momma 6 years ago and they started their journey of love, bliss and happiness together. She enjoyed boating, swimming and kayaking with her momma, sister, grandparents, uncle, aunt and cousins. Her greatest pleasure was belly rubs from her momma.
Banjo is dearly loved and missed by all that were blessed to know her. Rest in peace sweetheart.”
Tasha was rescued in August of 2008 from an abusive owner. She was 13 years old and was simply put outside to die. When we picked her up she was covered from head to toe with maggots and fleas, was severely matted, and underweight. Within a few more hours she would have been dead. We rushed her back to the shelter where I began the long process of removing the bugs that were eating her alive. The vet said if she made it thru the night it would be a miracle. I think Tom knew that if she did make it, I would want to bring her home, where she would undoubtedly remain for the rest of her time.
Well I am happy to say that she lived with us until December 24, 2009. During her time with us she had to have most of her badly infected teeth removed as well as her right eye that was badly damaged from glaucoma. She was one of the most loving cocker spaniels that I have ever met. She truly lit up our lives with her personality and spunk. She wouldn’t hesitate to chase a cat away from the water bowl or steal a toy from one of the younger dogs.
I still miss her everyday and cry when I think about her. We are glad that she got to spend her last year with us, living the good life, and didn’t die that hot summer day in someone’s side yard with a chain around her neck. I find peace in knowing that justice was served and her owner did serve jail time for what he did to her.
Tasha, we still love you very much. Our only regret is that you didn’t get to be with us longer!
Love,
Mom and Dad
O
ur beloved Alice also has passed away. You will forever be remembered as the loving, sweet, and compassionate pet you were.
Katey
In the summer of 2011, I (Sarah) started fostering dogs for Best Friends Forever Rescue. During that summer, I took in this beagle-dachshund mix named Odie.
Odie was from a puppy mill, which means he was in a dirty, smelly cage for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When he came to me that very first day, nothing could lure him into my house; not gentle words, hot dogs, nor even her dogs’ most coveted treat: Velveeta cheese. He stayed in my backyard all.day.long. Finally, when it became dark, I was able to bring him inside to meet her other dogs.
Over the course of the next couple of months, Odie was adopted by multiple people. When that last person who adopted him brought him back to the rescue, I decided that he would stay with me to live out his years. People gave up on Odie because he was shy. He was an Omega in the pack, or one who follows the leadership of others. His favorite buddy was my other rescued dog, Maggie Mae. It took Odie a good two years with me before he really came out of his shell and became a dog.
Sadly, after Maggie Mae went to the Rainbow Bridge in 2017, Odie didn’t seem the same. And in April 2019, at just shy of 10 years young, I had to send Odie to Rainbow Bridge to be with his sister.
It is so heartbreaking to lose your animals. However, because of Odie, I realize that sometimes it takes animals a long time to warm up, rescued dogs especially. If more people were able to open their hearts to older, more timid dogs, the world would be a much better place.
I know my world is better because Odie was in it. Run free at the Rainbow Bridge, sweet sausage dog!
RIP Odie Duane 2009 – 2019
It is with a very sad heart that I (Sarah) share the news that my Maggie Mae went to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. Magnolia Blossom, as my mom liked to call her, loved to get butt scratchies, give kisses with her stinky breath, and follow me everywhere. She literally had to be beside me all.the.time.
Although I am saddened by her loss, I also want to express what this dog meant to me. Some of you may know that Maggie was a foster dog who came into the Best Friends Forever Rescue as a seven-year-old lady. Apparently, her former human died and that human’s family did not want her. Our rescue took her in, and tried to find her a forever home. After a few months, Maggie needed a place to stay while her foster mom went on vacation. I stepped up and said I’d dog sit. For one week. Well, one week turned into 10 days, and 10 days turned into a couple weeks. I realized that no one was coming to get her. At that time, I had three of my own dogs, plus an additional foster. It was madness at my house!
Over the next couple years, Maggie had adoption applications taken out on her. I was determined to find her a better home than I could provide for her, but no one fit the bill. Maggie became a fixture in my house. Although she was a “foster” dog, she really wasn’t going anywhere. She knew it. Her fursiblings knew it. It just took me FIVE YEARS to figure it out. Last summer, I finally adopted Maggie. But that’s really just details.
Maggie was with me for six years. I was able to give her a comfortable life in her golden years. Maybe she wasn’t a dog that got to go on vacations, but she knew and gave love for those six years! Every time I sat in my recliner, Maggie had to sit between my leg and the arm rest. Every time.
And you know what? If I hadn’t agreed to dog sitting a senior dog, I wouldn’t have been able to give and receive the love I have for Magnolia Blossom. Senior dogs are AMAZING companions. I don’t care who raised them as puppies, they can and do learn (good and bad) new tricks!!! They are laid back! Really, they just adapt to the life you lead them in. Consider adopting a senior pet!
Run free at the Rainbow Bridge, sweet girl!
Kelly
