Frisco
Frisco was eager to leave the animal hospital where his third owner dumped him. Libby had answered a request to get him into our program and I was closest to him and I love German Shepherds. I was delighted to have him pull me to the only vehicle in the parking lot and have him get right in. He was with us a year and a half. I never could get his fur to grow right or his autoimmune issues right, but he was loved with his fur thin or full and whether his ears needed to be cleaned or not. He was part of a triangle here. He was the best buddy of cat, Sabre, who he is pictured with, and he was the best friend of my son, and along with the crazy cat Sabre, who hung upside down in my son's arms, Frisco would hold Sabre's head and lick it. He slept with the other two and only they could get him to do all the fun things like chase a ball and play football. He was noted among a few of the RORR folks who deal with fosters as a frequent requestor for yet another football. In his time here RORR sent him no less than a half dozen footballs and we bought him several as well. We knew he was having issues when this last football remained in one piece. That was not his way. He lived life to the fullest, ate with gusto, played hard even on terrible knees and with progressive arthritis and his other issues. He had found his human, my son, and a best four legged friend, Sabre. He enjoyed the other dogs, JJ, (also deceased) a black Yorkie mix who tried to boss him around, Sasha, our EPI GSD, and Spanky, who annoyed him frequently and who returned her stares with a grumble only he could make. I could easily see he was saying terrible things to her. Until Sunday he managed....his pain pills for his knees worked and his meds to keep him in check. He went out for a last round of football and came in panting and happy after five minutes. Then he had his last meal. Something gave out. He couldn't hang in any longer and on Monday food was sniffed at only briefly. He managed a couple bites that evening but Tuesday he only drank water. I made an appointment as he felt as if he had a fever. Weds he did have a fever and it took all he had to get to the car then into the vet, where he knew everyone and they loved him. He sank to the floor which was cool and just rested. He had a fever of 104 and it was clear he had given all he had to stay and was ready to go. It broke the hearts of everyone for such a fantastic pal to leave us but it was not in his interest to remain with us....after all on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge I'm sure there are tons of footballs waiting to be destroyed by a healthy 120 lb German Shepherd who finally found his home near the end of his life. We miss you Frisco. Destroy a football for me. Love Dee

Molly
The topic of your recent email is fitting - Heaven, and pets, and friendship... Our sweet Molly died yesterday. She died with the same grace that she lived - gently, quietly, peacefully. Hers was a slow and steady decline towards death - nothing sudden or unexpected. Over the last few months, she just ran out of juice, bit by bit, and lost her appetite, and, eventually, stopped drinking. We are grateful to have had her in our lives for 13 months, and happy that she knew love and comfort during her final phase of living.

Miles fka Chopper
It's with a broken heart that I want to let you know that Miles passed on this morning. Fourteen months ago when he joined our family we didn't know how long he would be with us, but we made him promises. We promised him he would always have a full bowl, a warm bed, and a family that loved him as if he was raised from a pup. We promised him that we would give up a full nights sleep for the 2:30am potty calls, give up our vacations for fear of leaving him in someone else's care and give up our spotless carpets frequent accidents. We promised to be there on his good days and his bad ones; when he couldn't stand up on his own or go up and down the stairs to the yard. We promised him we would make the difficult decisions with only his well being in mind and promised to be there the very second he left this world. Today we fulfilled all our promises. Although he was only with us for a short time, he left an impression on our hearts and souls. He taught us how to love unconditionally, we learned to slow life down, be patient, and savor every moment. Most of all he taught us unwavering determination and when we are down, we help each other up to push on. Thank you for allowing us to be his forever home. We are truly blessed to have been his family. Respectfully, Alison and Dave Shirk

Snuffy
I knew when I met Snuffy what I was getting into, but I truly "ache" for these old ones who fall on bad times and, literally, no one wants; not entirely exclusive to critters, sad to say. IF we can give them a peaceful place to just "be", a nest to cuddle in, kind hands to calm them, and a gentle journey "home", then we have fulfilled our purpose in this "rescue" business. They will not die on the road, on the cold floor of a "shelter", or at the hands of strangers. Not all of them are pups, or in the prime of life. The seniors have other needs.

Anastasia
While we know dealing with seniors they don't have lots of years left, we are so saddened and heartbroken when they pass before we can give them their last home. For Anastasia who bloated on us this morning, she at least was in the comfort and love of a foster home who treats every dog as her own... and we know her late husband will now be Anastasia's caretaker!