October
30, 2007
Dear
Family and Friends:
Maureen
and I regret to tell you that Zeke the Wonder Dog passed away peacefully earlier
this evening. He was 13, going on 14, and had enjoyed a cherished life in our
happy home.
When
we became his owners on February 7, 2004, no one knew that Zeke suffered from an
incurable disease - Acute Chronic Hepatitis. Maureen and I took the time and
spent the money to have him properly diagnosed by our vet. Luckily for us, we
were able to control the disease with diet only. We learned later that if we had
not forcibly acted on his behalf, his ACH would have surely killed him years
ago.
In
the three and a half years that he was ours, I took him camping, I took him
swimming, I took him to the Lakewood dog park every Sunday and daily threw the
tennis ball to him - the love of his life. I think he liked Maureen more than
me, since he spent most of his time curled up beside her, at her feet or flaked
out behind the television set. She was the one who fed him, spoiled him with
treats, took him to the groomer and played with him indoors. Zeke would trundle
up the stairs to visit me at the computer every evening, but not until around 11
PM.
When
visitors would arrive at our door, Zeke would always wag his long tail and stand
quietly next to our guests in a quest to be petted. Perhaps you remember our
Christmas gathering late last year - he plopped down in the middle of the
crowded dining-room floor. He knew that he was amongst friends, and that sooner
or later someone would accidentally drop a yummy morsel onto the hardwood floor
which he would quickly scarf up.
In
the past week or so, old age and multiple maladies caught up with Zeke. His
heart had greatly enlarged due to a bad valve. An ugly bladder infection caused
him to pass blood. X-rays revealed a nasty tumor on his spleen. But the surest
indicator that the end was near was that he more or less stopped eating, even
when his supper was home-cooked chicken.
At
6:45 this evening, Zeke silently took his last few breaths. Maureen softly sang
into his ear, and I gently held him and stroked his tummy. Less than a minute
after the injection, the vet removed the stethoscope from her ears and, without
a word, looked up at me and nodded at me that he was gone.
Maureen
and I greatly appreciate the kindness and generosity that you showered upon our
little black mutt. We have no idea what his life was like during his first ten
years on planet Earth. (We obtained him from a rescue shelter in Dayton, Ohio
called Cherished Cockers.) But what we are absolutely certain of is this: the
final chapter in Zeke’s life was filled with affection, peace and happiness.
We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Many
hugs and much love,
Rex
and Maureen
We are sorry to report that Angus passed away
after a very short illness. We want to thank his adoptive home for
making his last year so happy and taking such wonderful care of such an
appreciative little soul.
We are sorry to report that Rocky had to be put to sleep because of his age/heartworm complications and declining health. This is another one of those stories that make rescue so hard... Life just didn't treat him right but he did have a wonderful foster home for his few months he was with us. Take care sweet Rocky....we know you are much happier and healthier now
Oh, it was a sad 4th of July weekend for us and it is still hard to
write this.
I lost our 16 yr. old cocker in March after her birthday and over the 4th, Molly, your Lindsey, colapsed in our driveway. We rushed her to the vet, but he said her body just gave out. There was nothing more we could do for her.
Everyone was in tears. We put her to sleep and had her cremated at
the Lebanon Pet Cemetary.
She now has a special resting place in our home with the other pets we
have lost over the years; but more importantly, she will forever have a
place in our hearts. Everyone at the vets' office were also upset since they knew about her special situation and how she came to be with us. She is missed daily. She was such a dear little lady who was loved by us and all who met her for the time she lived with us. She went to heaven knowing she was truly loved
by all of us..........
thank you for all your work taking care of these dear little
creatures.
Phyllis
It with a very heavy heart that I have to report that Connor has passed away. No one knows exactly what caused him to start seizuring and not stop. The vet was unsure. We are all so shocked and sad, this little guy (and he was little) was just so happy and sweet. The night before he passed away he was eating popcorn on the sofa with his foster mom. This is what makes rescue work so hard on all of us, a little guy like this who never had a real home in his entire life and when finally there may be a chance away from the life he had lived as a breeding dog and this happened. We thank Connor's foster mom for giving him a few months in her home to be a "pet". We are sorry Connor that we didn't get you that "forever" home....
Justin was a beautiful chocolate cocker that was rescued from the puppymill raid down in Pike County, OH. He was only 4-6 years of age
It is with a very heavy heart that I have to report that Pepper
passed away unexpectantly. He had cancer of the stomach. No one
even suspected he was ill. It came about so suddenly we are all
in shock. He was a beautiful soul and we can't THANK his adoptive parents enough for giving him a happy , loving home for the remainder of his life. We'll all see Pepper at Rainbow Bridge. ******** Pepper's new family came to Mingle looking for a cocker other than black. Well, they met Pepper and Pepper met them and that was all there was to it. He won their hearts and vice versa. Way to go Pepper!
It is with a heavy heart that we must report that Lady passed away last night. She was one of the sweetest, loveable dogs we have ever had, unfortunately no one would look at that when they heard she was 10-13 years of age, she never got her "Forever" home and she had so much to give and asked so little but so many people just can't see beyond the age. We thank Lady's foster moms for filling her remaining 3 years with love and care. Lady was in rescue for 3 years, someone definitely missed out on a wonderful 3 years with a wonderful dog.