Hug All Your Fourlegged FurKids Tight- You Never Know When It May Be The Last Time!

Jazzy accidentally died in a devastating house fire at my home yesterday.
I was able to save the other dogs.
Jazzy, I'm so sorry. I tried to go back in to find you but I just couldn't make it through all the smoke.

Rest in Peace, Dear Jazzy- Feb 15/10
Run free and wild in the wind at the Rainbow Bridge.

Please everyone hug all your 4 leggeds and 2 leggeds tight and often, for me and for Jazzy.

I'll be away from the blogs for while.

Gwyn, Casper, Buddy, Nikki and Jazzy (now at the bridge)

Run Free, Dear Hana

We are stunned and deeply saddened to hear that our Eskie friend Hana has unexpectedly crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Please visit Hana's blog to give some support to Hana's family.

We would like to share our favorite pictures of Hana:

Hana wearing her Ribbon Necklace and driving her bright red sports car .

Hana wearing her ButterEskie wings
Run Free At the Rainbow Bridge
We will miss you, sweet Hana

Remembering Sandy

It's hard to believe that it has been 4 years since you crossed the Rainbow Bridge... seems like just yesterday.

SANDY - Fall 1994 - Sept 22, 2005

After wanting a dog for as long as I could remember, I finally adopted my first dog from the SPCA in February 1995. Sandy was about 6 months old when I got her. I loved her with all my heart and she was very devoted to me.

When Sandy was about 1 ½ years old she developed a seizure disorder that was fairly well controlled with medication. At about this same time she also began to have many issues with fear and aggression. I spent many years learning about how to deal with her issues. I took obedience classes, worked with her, and consulted experienced dog owners, trainers, and Vets.

The best thing I ever did with her was agility. I was looking for a fun dog activity that would also help with her issues. That is how I met Shirley and Diane. Sandy and I only got as far as Advanced Beginners II / III and we never did enter an agility trial. Several times we repeated classes at the same level, but it didn’t matter. We were both having fun.

Agility classes helped Sandy much more than any of the other things I had tried with her. It helped to decrease her fear and aggression and she made friends with people and other dogs. I learnt how to manage her issues while continuing to have her in the agility classes which we both loved. I am so grateful to Shirley and Diane who helped me to be able to do this.

Eventually Sandy’s aggression issues escalated to the point that I had to make one of the most difficult decisions ever. On Sept 22, 2005, Sandy crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Rest easy, my girl
All is now well.
Play and have fun

At the Rainbow Bridge.
I will love you forever

And I know I will see you again one day.

Our Eskie Friend Destiny Has Crossed the Bridge

Please go and give some support to Destiny's mom Cilly at

http://awalkwithdestiny.blogspot.com/

Bye sweet Destiny,

Rest Easy and Run Free at the Rainbow Bridge

Goodbye Girl Girl

We are saddened to hear of your crossing the Rainbow Bridge. We will miss you. Below is our favorite picture of you.

Rest Easy Dear GG!

TRIBUTE TO SANDY - MY FIRST FOREVER DOG

I've never written about Sandy on this blog except for the small Rainbow Bridge Tribute on the right side of my blog. I feel the need to write about her now after I have read the recent stories of Booker and Zen at the Zoo Crew . I've been there where you guys are with Booker and Zen.

Warning : this is a very sad post.

Tribute to Sandy- My First Forever Dog
Fall 1994- Sept 22, 2005

After wanting a dog for as long as I could remember I finally adopted Sandy a beautiful 6 month old long haired dachshund / cocker spaniel mix from the SPCA . Little did I know but she came with many issues. I was then a 'newbie’ dog owner and I know I made many mistakes but I do know that I did my best with what I knew at the time. And boy did I have to learn alot with her!

I loved her with all my heart and did everything I could do to work through her various issues (general fear, fear aggression, dog aggression, sudden unprovoked aggression etc). She also developed a seizure disorder which may have contributed to the problems.

As she got older the situation worsened even though I was actively working with her. She was a wonderful dog 95% of the time, but the other 5% was unpredictable, scary, and aggressive. Still I decided to keep her. I was committed to working with her. I was in a situation where I could do that as I lived alone and had no children.

I managed and controlled every situation with Sandy. It took huge amounts of energy and time. I kept her away from all children, and all people she did not know. I crated her frequently to keep visitors safe. I saw different vets, put her on medication, and saw dog behaviourists, worked on behaviour modification exercises. I socialized her with other people and dogs in safe places where the people were very dog savvy and aware of my situation with Sandy.

Basically I did everything I possibly could to manage, control, avoid her triggers and better the situation. Still there were many problems. I was bit many times. Sandy would draw blood but not enough to need stitches. Sandy would immediately be in an uncontrolled rage, bite and then 'come to', realize what she had done and run to her crate being very contrite, knowing she had done wrong.

I did this till she was 10 years old. In the last 4 months of her life she was becoming worse despite all my work with her. I could no longer safely take her out anywhere. Then one day she attacked me after I told her to get off the couch. It was the worst bite ever and I knew it was time.

I euthanized her 2 days later. I wanted her to have a peaceful quiet cross over to the Rainbow Bridge, but it was not peaceful nor was it quiet. She had to be sedated first. I fed her Snausages treats and she was happy as could be while I was alone with her waiting for the sedation to take effect. The plan was to have her fall into a coma from the sedation. She would then be given the final injection. The plan didn't work. Everytime the Vet came into the room Sandy became aggressive. The sedation started wearing off. So then we had to muzzle her for all of our safety, and 2 of us held her down while the Vet gave the needle. The whole time she was viciously trying to attack us. In the last few seconds her eyes were wide with terror. It broke my heart to see her so fearful and so aggressive even at the end, but I knew I had made the right decision. This was 3 years ago and still I am balling my eyes out as I write this.

I grieved for a long time over Sandy. I second guessed myself. I felt I had made many mistakes with her. I thought maybe I could have done more or had done things wrong. Then I thought that I kept her too long as she was clearly dangerous and unpredictable in the last few months.

One of the kindest things was said to me by a friend who also loves dogs. She said “Sandy had a great life with you because you were so committed to her. You were so willing to work with her. She wouldn’t have had those 10 years if she had been adopted by anyone else”. It was true. I felt better after that because I knew I had given her 10 good years and many wonderful times. I had done my best in a very difficult situation. I had worked with her until it was no longer safe to do so. I will always love her and remember the good times with her.

Rest easy, my girl.

Run and play at the Rainbow Bridge.

All is now well.

I will love you forever and I will see you again one day.

To All Pet Lovers- In Memory Of Ella

We read this sad sad story on one of the Eskie groups we belong to. It is a grim reminder of how easily such a horrific tragedy can happen. We are honoring Ella here by posting this story:

Please share this info with everyone you know, so that no one else suffers the way I have.

PLASTIC BAGS ARE DEADLY TO YOUR DOG!

In honor of our precious Ella's memory, I am crusading an effort to let everyone know that this can and does happen and hopefully I can save someone else from the same agonizing pain!

Our 9 month old Sheltie puppy, Ella, suffered a tragic, sudden, senseless death this past Friday. She suffocated to death on a bag liner that was inside a box of Cheez-its snack crackers. We were out for the evening and someone had left a box of Cheez-its within Ella's reach. She put her head in the bag inside the box to get to the crackers. The bag came out of the box but she couldn't get the bag off of her head.

We came home and found her dead from suffocation. It doesn't seem possible, that a dog couldn't get a bag off their head, but they can't.I have since learned that this occurs more often than you would imagine. There was also a family whose 6 year old Labrador got hold of a Doritos bag when they weren't looking. They found him dead with the bag over his head, having died the same way as Ella. I also learned from the man that is cremating Ella for us that he has had FIVE other dogs that have died like this in the PAST MONTH!

Make sure that ALL PLASTIC BAGS AND BOXES WITH BAG LINERS IN THEM (chips, snack crackers, cookies, cereal, etc.) are WAY out of your pets reach!!!!!! This tragedy has been a tremendous blow for our family! I have tried to be strong, but the whole scenario has played out in my head over and over and I have been a total mess!

I cannot begin to understand the senselessness of this and my heart is absolutely broken! Ella was so young and full of life...an adorable, sweet, smart, loving dog, and her life was cut short way too soon!

Please help me honor Ella, and save someone else from this horrific tragedy by passing this email to as many people as you know!

Thank you!
Anne Mackey
adrycecil58@hotmail.com
Charlotte, NC

Rest Easy Brandi

Momma has been too upset to do this post so I decided to do it for her. She crys everytime she talks about it.

We had to say goodbye to Brandi last week. Momma took Brandi to be peacefully euthanized on Jan 9/08 at 2:15 pm. This decision had to be made after she repeatedly and viciously attempted to attack a dog trainer. The dog trainer did not get hurt, but that was only because of the trainer's extensive experience in dealing with dogs with issues. If Brandi had managed to hurt this trainer it would have been a very severe injury. Brandi had also previously bit someone else and it was clear that she had no bite inhibition. This decision had to be made because Brandi was not safe to be adopted out to anyone. Even Momma was afraid of Brandi after she saw what happened.

Momma explained to us that is was not Brandi's fault. No one took the time to socialize her when she was younger. Most likely she was removed from her momma dog and littermates early. No one took the time to socialize her or teach her manners, good dog behavior, or obedience. We believe she was mostly left out in a yard. She even had a litter of puppies when she was very young herself because she had not been spayed.

We want to know why do people get dogs if they are not going to be responsible dog owners? It makes Momma very angry and we just don't understand it.

Brandi did have many good quailities too and that's what made it really hard for Momma.


Brandi we will remember the good things about you:

You were such a cutie. Such a pretty girl.
You ran and played like a big huge puppy.
When it was time to go outside you would pick up a toy as you ran to the door and you would carry it outside with you.
You loved to be outside in the snow running around with one of your favorite stuffed toys in your mouth.
You were such a happy girl playing with your toys.
You loved to pick up a toy and toss it and then go and get it yourself. You would endlessly repeat this play.

We are so sorry Brandi. Rest Easy. Run and play at the Rainbow's Bridge.




Momma has decided to take a bit of a break from fostering. She says this one was just too hard. We will take care of Momma. When she cries we will cuddle with her and Nikki will lick her tears.

Woofs from Casper, Buddy and Nikki

Rest Easy Scubee

Scubee, we hope you are running and playing and having a wonderful time with all the other doggies over the Rainbow Bridge.

Scubee- the Weinerblab is Very Sick

We just read a very sad post. Scubee- the weinerblab is very sick and will soon be crossing the Rainbow Bridge. We are very sad for Scubee and his people Sara and Ryan. Our thoughts are with you Scubee, Sara and Ryan.

In Honor of Our Special Friend, Fufu the Hamsterrier

This poem is to honor of our special friend, Fufu the Hamsterrier who recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We will truely miss you Fufu! Run and play and be happy Fufu, and one day we will see you again!

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

"Just this side of Heaven is a place called

The 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 and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals that 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 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.

The bright eyes are intent, the eager body quivers.

Suddenly they begin to break away from the group, flying over the green grass,

their legs carrying them 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