In Memory of Hercule

I had to help our sweet, funny Herc leave his worn out body behind today. We opened the gate about 2:30 this afternoon and he ran through it like Forrest Gump … no more disabilities, no more pain, just foot loose and fancy free. We talked about it, Herc, Rosie, Darla and I, and all agreed that he just couldn’t stay any longer. His decline was quick and totally unexpected, and his end came painfully soon, but everyone who knew him will always cherish the time we had with him. I am deeply grateful to FBRN for bringing him into our lives and sparing no expense to give him whatever he needed. I’m also grateful to my vet, who not only cared for him, but also cared about him.

I love this picture of Hercy and Sabrine wondering what adventures wait for them on the other side of the fence. Hercy went to find out today … I hope it exceeds his wildest dreams.

He was dealt a really rotten hand in life, but that didn’t stop Herc from being one of the sweetest natured, most affectionate little guys I’ve ever met. There aren’t any words to describe how much we all loved him. It was love at first sight for he and Darla, he was Rosie’s baby boy, and my grandchildren thought he was the bomb. He was.

I don’t have any idea who wrote the following poem, but I’m sure the author knew a sweet brown-eyed pup just like Herc. For Hercy who lived with us from July 2007 to April 2008 and stole our hearts in the blink of an eye …

You can’t buy loyalty, they say,
I bought it, though, the other day;
You can’t buy friendship, tried and true,
Well, just the same, I bought that, too.
I made my bid, and on the spot
Bought love and faith and a whole job lot
Of happiness, so, all in all,
The purchase price was pretty small.
I bought a single trusting heart,
That gave devotion from the start.
If you think these things are not for sale,
Buy a brown-eyed puppy with a stump for a tail.

−Unknown

Lynne Scott
FBRN Foster Volunteer
Kansas City, Missouri

 

In Memory of Elsa

We lost our beloved 16 yr. old border collie, Elsa the end of March, 2008 Thank you, Elsa, for 16 years of trails, vistas, sunsets, moon rises, wildlife, seasons, and the lovely way you pranced. No friend could have given me more. In her dotage she took to snacking on the occasional piano roll, ever the chow hound. She wasn't so much interested in the rolls as she was in the boxes, which I'm sure were made with glue from animal hooves, a flavor she quite fancied. For Elsa, I won't wish that she rest in peace. Nope. You go, girl. Run those tits off. Nothing to stop you now. Nancy and Pam

In Memory of Buddy

This is one of the last photos of our beloved "Buddy". Buddy got to celebrate one last Mardi Gras this year, then succumbed to a brain tumor on Feb. 19, 2008. We could not have been given a more perfect companion. Words cannot describe the joy and love that this little one brought to us. We are confident that Buddy is racing around somewhere, totally whole, totally pain-free.

Thanks to all at FBRN for what you do.
Sincerely,
Susan Afeman

Buddy’s heart was too big for this world. Now, up in heaven, I picture Buddy watching over the families that loved him most. Up there he can eat all he wants, sleep in a comfy cozy bed next to Tillie, and feel no pain.

For those of us lucky enough to have been loved by Buddy, we will be forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him. The three families to whom he once belonged are linked together with fond memories of a furry little dog who loved to be loved. We were blessed.

Mia Harpel

In Memory of Versailles

It is with heavy heart that we bid fare-thee-well to FBRN Foster Dog Versailles. At the tender age of a year and a half, Sy was surrendered to us by his owners who were financially and emotionally exhausted by Sy's complex assortment of physical ailments that caused him to regurgitate his food, have difficulty breathing, and seemingly waste away before their eyes.

Despite several veterinary recommendations that he be put down immediately, we took Versailles to a special care foster home in Southern California where he was able to see the best specialists. He enjoyed his time there and was happy and affectionate despite his troubles. Everyone loved his sweet ways and distinctive "Marty Feldman" eyes. Versailles was a charmer. Alas, the specialists concluded that he was suffering from a laryngeal and tracheal collapse. The only possible action would have been a permanent tracheotomy which would have resulted in an inevitable outcome of death by pneumonia.

Versailles deserved a kinder and gentler end than that, so wrapped in his foster mom's arms, he quietly bade the world goodbye. We are glad we were able to know him, and love him, and tried our best to help him. He was worthy, and he had those goofy eyes. We'll never forget Versailles, and we are grateful to all those who endeavored to help him in his quest for a better life.

In Memory of Dozer

Sometime around 5 years ago I laid my eyes on the most precious being I have ever seen. You swooped in & captured my heart with your big eyes, your crazy attitude and your ability to love, snuggle, snort, and sneeze in my face like no other. You seemed to be just as enamored with me as I was with you my dear friend, Dozer. You completely took over as head of the dog world in our household and everyone that came in contact with you couldn't resist your larger than life attitude and your zest for life and of course how darn cute you were!

You taught me how to just let go & laugh at things, as you were always the clown and had the best expressions I have ever seen from human or dog. My favorites were your wide grinned smile that you would get when you would see "the ball" which was your absolute favorite toy, or you tucked in lips & cocked head when you were looking at me & wanting to ask "whatcha talking about ma"?

My little shadow is what you were, always following me everywhere I went and never knowing that the bathroom door being shut meant it should probably remain shut! lol. Always looking at me with those dark deep eyes as if you could tell every word I was saying and completely understand and always knowing what to do. It's like you were loooking into my soul and it gave me comfort. You were my best friend.

My dear friend life dealt you such a harsh card. You always were upbeat, even after 2 debilitating back surgeries that left you unable to walk and eventually led you to the rainbow bridge to wait for me. I know you are whole know, running around like a crazy man chasing your ball and not letting any of the other dogs get to play with it. I want you to know that I miss you dearly and not a night goes by I don't think of you & miss you so much. The couch seems like a foreign place to me now without you laying by my side, without your wet kisses and Frenchie sneezes, without your funny little butt wagging, and without your smiling face looking at me.

Thank you my dear friend for coming into my life, even for a short time. I cherished every moment of it and will always hold you close to my heart.

Till we meet again, I love ya little man more than I could ever say.
Julie Farrell, aka MOM & Dad

In Memory of Peanut

About 4 years ago I adopted a little girl named Peanut (12ys old) from the Carolinas through FBRN. I just wanted to tell you what an absolute joy and privilege it was to share our life with her. She was truly the love of our lives, my husband and I can't thank you enough for picking us to be her family. Last week, we put our poor baby to sleep, she was losing a battle with cancer. I can't say enough about how wonderful she was and how much we both miss her. She really was our greatest love. Though it is impossible to replace her, we are considering adopting another frenchie in need of a family. We can't imagine not sharing our life with another wonderful little heart. Thank you again for Peanut, I can't imagine what life would have been like without her.

Kelly Nilsson (formerly Kelly Harrington)