To Minnie With Love

You were something else Mrs. Minnie. You were quite possible the most incorrigible, ill-tempered, hard-headed, and grumpy little dog we have ever met... yet you still found a place in our hearts. Your spirit was indomitable, your loyalty was unquestionable, and your heart was as big as an Irish Wolfhound's. You were a special girl in your own rite, and we wish you a happy journey up to play with Kelsey again! We will miss you baby girl.

- Josh & Tanya Willis

Goodbye, Sweet Muggle, Beloved Rock Star

I can still see you on that November morning in 2007. I had gone to the park that morning with my sweet Bichon, Jackson, feeling a bit sad that we had lost our dear Lily only a few weeks earlier.

You were walking with your foster mom, Gayle Kerr, and her guy Simon, the 90-pound lab. I thought that was quite a picture, this little Chihuahua (formerly known as Tater Tot) and this rather large lab walking side-by-side. And after catching up to you all, I knelt down and you came to me and put those cute little front paws on my knees and kissed me.

It was later in our walk that Gayle told me that you would be up for adoption the next day. After that kiss I knew I had to have you in my life – and that you had already found your forever family. Your foster mom also told me of your serious medical problems, but that was okay because I would take care of you and provide a good life for you. And we did … your forever family and me. You came to us on November 17th, a wonderful day for us all.

What we didn’t know was that you would leave us years too soon … succumbing to your illnesses.

We are so grateful for the short time we had with you, dear Muggle, sweet Mugglemeister. What a joy you were to us all. Dad C, Molly and Jack miss you so. And Gus had just come into our lives only days before you left us. You were my little “Mr. Wiggles” and I held you so much that I’m surprised you remembered how to walk. My arms feel empty without you here.

Thanks to all of the friends you’ve made on your journey, Muggle: Gayle (who has become such a dear friend), Simon, Nancy, Tanya, Donna, Ziggy, Marshall, Joe Cowell, the staff at UT Knoxville, and the many others along the way … especially those you met at Parmer Park.

On June 25, 2010, you left us behind with shattered hearts, but with so many wonderful memories.

Sail on sweet boy. Rest easy. I’ll see you in my dreams. And I will always love you, little buddy.

Daddy Roger, Dad C, Jackson, Molly, and Gus

With much gratitude to Agape Animal Rescue and the wonderful work that they do.

Kelsey Willis

We miss you baby girl, but we know you are in such a better place now. You are finally able to hear again so you can listen for those bags of cookies being opened up in heaven. Thank you so much for all the years of joy you brought us. You were here for the good times, wagging that little tail of yours and making piggy snorts when we rubbed your belly or scratched your chin. We laughed and just shook our heads when you scratched your eyes on our shoes or our coats ... you even made us smile on those rainy days when we just felt bad or things weren't going so well. No matter what it was, you were always there beside us. We love you, girl, and we will see you again one day with the rest of the family.

Josh & Tanya Willis

In Loving Memory of our Beloved Family Member, Bailey

Bailey was a scared 4 yr old hiding underneath a porch when I first met him. He and his litter mate, Dharma, trembled together as we reached to pull them out. I brought them home for the weekend, and they have been there ever since, until Bailey passed away suddenly from a blood disease that we were unaware he had. He was 12 1/2 yrs old.

Bailey was a Canine Good Citizen and a TDI Therapy Dog who loved meeting everyone, but he will mostly be missed for his pure love, devotion and affection for me and all animals who visit and live with us.

Bailey, you were the sunshine of the party, and you are still with us.

Peggy Duszynski

A Sad Goodbye to BELVEDERE

Belvedere was a Rottweiler neighbor of Jewel (a female beagle rescued in early 2007) at her forever home. When Jewel first came to her new home—even though he was fenced—Belvedere was chained in a back corner of his overgrown yard. As soon as he was unchained Jewel's forever family could tell he was a big teddy bear. Jewel and her family always took time to interact with him. Other kind neighbors gave him food and water. Bevledere died suddenly and inexplicably. He will be missed by all. Our hope is that all animals will have all the food, water, shelter, and LOVE that they need during their time on earth!

The Light of My Life Has Gone Out: Beauregard

The light of my life has gone out. My Beau Beau dog was sent back to heaven to be God's angel instead of mine. I know he doesn't need wings because he's got those big, beautiful beagle ears. I always knew he was only on loan to me for a short time, but it was too short, and too soon he is gone.

He came into my life at age 1 in May of 1997, became my own #1 companion in January of 2003, and left me with a lot of dog hair and a heart full of memories, all of which I will treasure forever.

He was my coast-to-coast rock & roll dog, my housesitting trooper, the self-appointed dog park protector of underdogs, and my shotgun road warrior to the end. He never put up a complaint no matter how much I dragged him around. He took it all in stride—even five days in a U-Haul and hotels crossing the desert in August--and saw both oceans with me.

He was a sweet, easygoing dog with a beagle-collie heart bigger than the whole country that lies between Virginia Beach and San Francisco.

He took his last breath in my arms in Mill Valley, California, on November 13, 2006. God blessed me with this adorable dog, and I just pray I made him half as happy as he made me, and that someday God will think I've been good enough to go where he has gone.

Godspeed, my beloved friend Beau, the only close family I've had these last 10 years.

If you, dear friends, wish to honor this beautiful, generous, sweet canine soul, please make a donation to a place like www.agaperescue.org, some place that cares for dogs and/or does inexpensive spaying and neutering. Also please let it be known that Dr. Mobley in Nashville, who always loved Beau and told me from the very first time I took him in for his shots, "You know you're never going to find another one this good," (said. Dr. Mobley), who was infinitely more helpful and compassionate by phone from 2200 miles away the last five weeks of Beau's life than the hospital that diagnosed his lymphoma in Los Angeles. Not enough thanks can be given to my friends Alice, Anni, and Jarion, who let us come to the end of his journey in the warm, loving space of their home, rather than in the empty void of L.A. The doctor they chose to administer Beau's deliverance from his failing body was compassionate and gentle. Thank you, also, to Dr. Blood and the nice people at the Marin Humane Society.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed him or us into your homes, and your hearts.

I will love him more than forever.

Jennifer Geis
Los Angeles, CA

Farewell to CJ

Our sweet CJ is suffering no more. This precious girl left us here on earth to join her canine friends at the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, July 13, 2006.

CJ spent the last few months of her life with foster mom Tanya, where she flourished in mind and spirit, but, sadly, not physically. CJ deeply loved Tanya and loved playing with Tanya's other dogs (Mack, Tessa, Minnie, Kelsea, Bert and especially Faith), but her depilating arthritic condition eventually robbed her of a quality of life. She is in pain no longer, though our hearts are greatly saddened by her loss.

Though CJ never found her forever home, she was loved and adored by all who met her. She taught us about courage and determination ...a determination to enjoy life like every other dog, despite a cruel and insidious health condition. CJ's sweet and gentle spirit, her shining brown eyes, and those darling big ears, were her endearing qualities that we will remember always.

Goodbye, sweet CJ. We will miss you so.

Asher

It is with great sadness that I send this last update about sweet Asher. After 6 hard months of surgery, recovery, and tiny improvements, it was decided that his quality of life would not get any better. After 6 months of recovery time, he still drug his bad foot, causing it to bleed if he was not wearing a bootie. He also could not control his defecation and ended up with almost daily partial-baths. Asher could not ever urinate on his own and the 4+ time per day that he had to have his bladder expressed was causing him problems, he had developed obvious pain when this was done and neither antibiotics nor antiinflammatory drugs helped. On Friday, March 10, 2006, Asher went to run and play at the "rainbow bridge" where he is complete and healthy once again. He had a great 6 months of love and care and was always a very happy dog. He will be greatly missed.