In Memory of Lucky

1993- March 15th, 2008

Lucky was the first special medical needs case our Sanctuary took in 15 years ago, even before we had our own children.

He is the reason we are who we are today and help the ones that are traditionally seen as "less than perfect".Lucky was tossed from a car as a puppy and left roadside, Lucky also had idiopathic epilepsy and separation anxiety that lasted years which finally faded away. In addition, as mysteriously as the epilepsy came on, it completely disappeared and he lived without seizures for the last 8 years of his life.

Lucky was always the first to greet any of the new dogs or cats coming through the Sanctuary doors, showing the ropes so too speak, and warmly showed them all, life was good here..he also loved every person whom he ever met. In 2006 he was diagnosed with¬ÝDegenerative Mylothopy, which we provided him with supplements to ensure he would remain as comfortable, carefree and mobile as he possibly could be. And boy did he remain mobile!

March 15, 2008 Lucky lost his final battle against bone cancer. His head in my arms, tears rolling from my face, onto his, telling him he would be safe, deeply loved forever, and we would meet again at the Rainbow Bridge

Lucky taught us everything we know about compassion, dedication, unconditional love in good times and bad, and most of all sometimes, hope, love and faith is all you need.

Many thanks to Dr Vachon and the staff at Lafontaine Vet Clinic, who treated Lucky over the years, in addition to being there for all of us, including Lucky,¬Ýwhen it was time to say good bye

Rest in Peace my Dear Boy Lucky..
We will miss you dearly until we meet again...

Waiting for Kelli & family

Daytona
June 2006 - March 28, 2008

Epi-Daytona got her halo this morning (3-28-08) at 2:30am after a hard night with many seizures. We are not sure what happened but we could not get her seizures to stop so when I took her in to the emergency vets I made the decision to set her free from this horrid disease and she ran over the rainbowbridge with me and her favorite vet by her side.

She was so young, almost 2 years old. She knew how to win over your heart with her soft eyes. She was my shadow. If I would have known how she would follow me around I would have called her Shadow. I only had her for seven months but she had my heart from day one.

At times I would think how it would have been if I never got her but now she is not here it is nothing like I thought. There is a huge vacancy in our home and in my heart. I would do it again in a heart beatjust to have her run into me one more time or take up the whole bathroom when I would take a shower.

My pupper buddy, you were the best dog I could have had. You were full of unconditional love and deserved a longer life. The cats have all been looking for you in anticipation of you chasing them. You taught me to be more responsible.

Live free and healthy and someday we will be together again. Find Angel Maggie and thank her for sending you to me. You will always be in my heart. I love you my velcro baby.

Sadly missed by mommy Elaine, daddy, (cats)Felix,
Dirty Nose, Scampers, Little Guy and (hamsters) Chip
and Dale.

April

Sandy
adopted 11/30/2002- 4/15/2008

We had to say goodbye to our Epi girl Sandy today. The epilepsy had taken its toll.

I adopted Sandy from a rescue in 2002. she was only a year old. She was such a terrier! Sandy was a Mix but a large part of the mixture was Irish Wolfhound. She talked about every thing, as Irish wolfhounds ar known for. Sandy loved her new home and her new family. She lived inside,slept next to mommy's bed, she was allowed on the furniture. She had cats to chase, toys to rip up and followed us around every where. One time Sandy got out of the fenced in back yard and she ran around frantically trying to get back in, she didn't want to be lost again.

In may of 2004 Sandy had her 1st seizure. It was terrible, we worked with our Vet to put her on Phenobarbital and suggested we take note of the weather. Sure enough, a day or two before a storm or weather change where a weather Low was involved she would have her seizures. We couldn't stop the weather, but knowing it would bring them on would help us predict and prepare. Sandy even donated some of her blood to research at North Carolina State to hopefully try to help other epi dogs.

I spent many sleepless nights holding her and re-assuring her when she seized. I think caring for her in this special way brought me closer to her than some of my other dogs. The seizures eventually took their toll. she developed acid reflux, severe arthritis, and obvious pain and discomfort. Her vet and I did all we could for her. It became clear it was time for her suffering to end.

Sandy. I love you sweetie and I will think of you always. You made a big change in my life, I'm glad we had each other while we did!

Waiting for Lori

Moss

1st August 1996 - 28th April 2008

I remember the day I first saw her - 6 weeks old, in a farm yard, in the west of Scotland.  She came over and backed in between my boots and sat down.  I was"claimed" by her.  It was the beginning of a wonderful relationship.  From the start she was a "talker"-one of her most endearing characteristics which continued until the day before she died.  She amazed me as a pup when she brought things back to me without being asked, and dropped them at my feet. She sat immediately to the whistle and learned how to read hand signals from a distance.  This pup had the makings of a special dog. In time, she accompanied round my lambing time duties, on boats, up mountains, in cars, on adventures, on boring days, to dances, to musical events, to the college I worked in. In fact everywhere I went, she was not far away.

In 2005 we were on the hill one day when she stopped suddenly, held up a leg, limped back to me and, with glazed eyes, fell over. This was the start of a life with epilepsy.  It took nearly two years to be diagnosed, by which time we had been through some awful days. In 2007, the vet eventually saw her doing what I had been at pains to describe for many months.  "non text book" epilepsy were his words. The seizures were brought on by exertion and excitement, both of which are the mainstays of a bordercollie's life! From then on the relationship changed. When she knew she was about to seize, she would try to make it back to my side.  She now needed me in a very different way.  I grieved then for the dog who could no longer go anywhere or do anything with me. Life had suddenly changed. Much adjustment was needed. I began to love a familiar, but somewhat different, dog whose active world had shrunk to the house, garden and car.

I want to publicly remember the friend who stayed with me when I lost the love of my life, when I thought I couldn't go on when the days were dark and the pain was almost too much. She provided such unconditional love. She perceived my thoughts almost before I did. She was fun to be with. She was the special dog I'd always hoped I'd have.

Moss is buried on the hillside above my cottage. A cairn marks the spot ’Äì an unobtrusive reminder of this woman’Äôs most loyal friend.

Waiting for
Allison

May

May 9th 2008
.In Memory of
"Our beloved Shelby"

A piece of me died this week. Our beloved, "Shelby",has gone to heaven, as we had to send her to the "Bridge". In spite of her youth and vigor the seizures had taken their toll, over thepast year. This ugly disease was only found a little over a year ago.....not nearly enough time for me to acclimate to the dreadful spector of losing her. And in spite of numerousmedications, she is gone...quietly gallant to the end, perking her ears and cocking her head expectantly at my voice to the last.

Trusting, loving and independant, she sought to please¬Ýus with every breath. She began to seize on wednesday evening, around 11 pm, and continued every 2 hours thru friday morning. Calling her vet, Dr. Mich, said it was time to ease her pain and suffering. We arranged to meet Dr. Mich at the office a few hours later, giving us the opportunity to share a few last hours with our "Princess". And so we laid with her and held her and whispered into her ear as she softly licked my face. Finally, we knew it was time to visit the vet. Shelby suddenly while at her office, began to violently seize, We carried her to an exam room and laid her on the floor and I held her, as Dr. Mich sent her to the "Bridge".
I can't begin to say how much I miss my dear Shelby. I want her back. I am an open wound...a walking bruise. She gave me unconditional love, never complaining, asking nothing in return except a little food and water. To save her I would have given up everything.

How could this have happened to one so innocent, one so young, and one that we loved so much? We will bury her ashes with dignity, with her favorite toy and pictures of those who cared, under a new tree. From death will, a memorial will grow a living testament to her bright eyes, gallant heart, and inquisitive mind....She truly was our sweet "Princess Shelby".But nothing can capture how much I loved her. She will live forever in my heart.

 
Love Always
Scott and Jean