In Memory: Tucker Eyler

Tuesday when I driving to work I was making plans for the holidays - taking the dogs to my sister’s house on Thanksgiving because it was going to be such a nice day, taking a walk after lunch, so thankful that Tucker was going to be with me for another Thanksgiving.  Thinking that he might just be with me for another Christmas and feeling so hopeful.  Then I started thinking how making plans can be such folly.  How things can change in the blink of an eye.  Probably best not to make plans.

October 2012 I found a large tumor in his anal gland and he was given two weeks to live.  Thankfully I got a second opinion, some good advice and listened to my gut and decided to go for the surgery which was a success.  Hopefully he might have another 8 to 10 months.  Thanks to Dr. Barbour and Yellow Springs Veterinary Clinic he had three more great years.  It was nothing short of a miracle.

Tuesday night when I got home and he looked at me with those big brown eyes I just knew something was wrong.  I called him in for dinner and he just laid there looking at me with his head on his paw.  If you know Tucker you know the boy loves his food.  Even after major surgery in 2012 he didn’t miss a meal.  I finally got him inside and put his bowl in front of him and he didn’t want to eat it.  All I was thinking was no Tucker, please don’t do this but looking into his eyes I just knew that today was the day.  I called his best girl Jo at YSVC (Jo also heads up Free Reign Animal Massage and does massage and energy work on Tuck) and let her know that I had to come in.  She let Dr. B. know and off I went with Tucker and Remy.  A sonogram showed that Tucker had a large tumor on his spleen and that it was bleeding into his abdomen.  Tucker was weak and anemic.  With his age (15) and his history of seizures surgery wasn’t a good option and I knew that Tucker was ready to go.  Tucker actually loved going to the vet.  He often had treats, massages and got to see his favorite vet techs, in particular Rebekah, and I was happy that she was there that night.  So Tuesday night he was perfectly calm and surrounded by people that he knew and Remy and I were both by his side until the end.  I can honestly say Tuesday was the worst day of my life but I know that I did the right thing for Tucker and have no regrets as to how he lived his life.

I adopted Tucker from the Mid Atlantic Border Collie Rescue on Sept. 8, 2001.  I headed up to his foster in White Hall, MD with a friend to meet him on that Saturday.  When we got there, he was running around barking like a mad dog trying to chase the horses in the pasture.  Adrienne said “you’re not going to take that dog are you?” and I said “yes I am”.  He was 10 months old.  He loved loved loved his big sister Scout who I had just adopted in July.  He was smart and energetic and the epitome of a Border Collie.  My neighbors said “you’re not going to keep that dog are you?” and I said “yes I am!”  After lots of training, exercise and love, a year later those same people were telling me what a great dog he was.  Terri Hoopengartner, you were his first trainer and I think you were pretty partial to him because he was a herding dog.  He was a superstar in class.  You were also there at the emergency vet when I had to bring in him after his 2012 surgery because my power was out due to Hurricane Sandy.

Tucker was bold, brave, smart, a lover, sensitive, and sometimes a total shithead and that is why I loved him.  He had “the eye”.  He never hurt another creature in his entire life, unlike Scout, who was a killer of all things small.  Watch out mice, bunnies and baby birds.  Once Tucker caught a low flying dove in his mouth and no one was more surprise the was.  You should have seen the look on his face.  I told him to put it down and he did and it flew away unharmed.  I feel so sad for my cat Rogue.  She loved Scout and they used to hunt together.  When Scout passed she latched onto Tucker.  There were times he found it hard to take a step in the yard because she kept head-butting him.  He would lick her face and ears until she was a soggy mess.  I don’t know what poor Rogue will do now.  Remy just has no use for her.

My favorite Tucker memory is from December, 2003.  My boyfriend at the time had a big black lab and on a really warm day before Christmas we all went over to Harper’s Ferry to hike on the tow path.  Owen had to carry Tucker up and over that bridge because he was afraid of it (you can see below to the river and it is pretty scary).  Owen had put flashing bicycle lights on Mike’s halter and I just thought it was the funniest thing ever.  I laughed until I cried.  We hiked for hours and the dogs swam and had a great time.  Hours later we piled back into the car and drove home exhausted.  We had to take a pit stop along the way because Tucker drinks water when he swims so I had to let him out to go potty.  Then the dogs slept the rest of the way home.  These memories are how I will honor Tucker - the greatest dog that God ever put on this earth.

I really couldn’t have asked for more (even though of course I want to).  God gave me three extra years and Tucker was happy and healthy until those last couple of hours when he wasn’t.  He was a true miracle.  I will miss him more than I can say.

If anyone would like to make a donation to MABCR in Tucker’s memory you may do so at http://www.mabcr.org.

Godspeed Tuckerman and I will see you again some day.  Have an awesome time over the bridge with Scout and Albus.

Carol

In Memory: Fritz Tallman

Sarah,

It is with great sadness I have to tell you I had to put Fritz down today. 

I adopted him seven years ago at Christmas and has been the most incredible companion since then. 

He came down with an auto immune disease and in the end could not recover. He will be terribly missed.

Reuben 

Another life changer....

A little more than twelve years ago, I got a call from a guy who wanted to turn a puppy over to rescue. Seems the guy had a new girlfriend, and the girl couldn't handle his puppy AND his three kids (all under 6). Who'd have thought.

A few months later, a young woman applied to us to adopt her very first dog. She had a well thought out plan for hiking and taking classes, and long story short, the young woman adopted Katie, the aforementioned puppy.

Flash forward a couple of years, Suzy and Katie where a happy pair, had started working sheep, and visited the farm for sheep time. And then to visit...and to train more, and visit more. Suzy began fostering, helping with home visits, and occasionally attending events with MABCR.

Tuesday night, Katie wagged her tail for the last time after a brief but serious illness. In the nearly 12 years that Katie'd light shined, she changed Suzy's life, and mine. Twelve years after Katie's adoption, I call her human one of my very closest of friends.

You never know what a dog will bring to you, and you never know if it will be your dog that does it, or someone else's. Cherish every moment, open your heart to the possibilities, and embrace the ride.

You go get those sheep, Princess Katie, and I'll see you when I see you, sweet girl.

Life Changing Dogs

I don't know about you, but I have been lucky enough to have had several Life Changing Dogs come into my life. About 15 Novembers ago, a young dog was brought into rescue, and lived with me for a time. This dog was one of 'those dogs', dogs rescuers like me wish they had room for, time for, money for, but know they need to live a better life in another home. 

One morning I received a phone call from a fellow who had put his border collie down the day before, and was on the hunt for another, one to 'rescue in his honour'. Within a couple of weeks, Peter and his wife Barbara had convinced me to break several rescue rules, and took Bienn home right before Christmas (something we do not normally do).

Usually, when a dog goes home, that is that. We get updates from time to time, photos, cards on holidays, etc. Not with Bienn's new family. This is the life changing part. MABCR got HUGE supporters...Barbara is our storekeeper, my right hand and sounding board, Peter gives advice when needed, and was our treasurer for a few years. Eventually, Barbara and Peter, along with Bienn, Copper, Casey (an MABCR dog) and Bonnie, moved to Maryland, and live only 7 miles from the farm. For me, personally, Bienn gave me my best friend (Barbara), and a mentor (Peter) who have helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life. 

Up until today, his days have been mostly good, though he had stopped traveling with Barbara and Peter, I don't think he minded too much, as he got to stay here with me. He had also stopped going upstairs, but still took walks every day, and sniffed and pee'd on stuff.

Bienn passed today in his own back yard, under the big sky, with his people around him and his canine companions just feet away.

I suspect Bienn was a life changing dog for Barbara as well, though I've never asked her, and honestly, if I asked her now, we would both cry the ugly cry, and wouldn't be able to speak. I'll just have to assume it's true...

I was going through my photos to find a nice photo of Bienn, and found this, a photo I had taken as part of a photo shoot for Barbara's latest book (she needed a new author's photo). I was struck by the fact that only Bienn is in focus (an obvious mistake) and that he is out front and center, and that Barb is looking at her boy. As it should be.

Goodbye, Beans. I'll see you when I see you, sweet boy.

In Memory: BuddyLee Merwin

In Memory: Sadie Kilgore

Sarah, 

It is with a very heavy heart that we are informing you of the passing of Sadie. She was 13 1/2 years old. 

Last night, fate kicked us in the teeth.  We had to unexpectedly put her to sleep.  She was limping around all last week but last night something serious happened.  We took her to the ER and discovered her leg had broken due to bone cancer.  We had no idea.  The prognosis was very, very poor, so we had to do what was best for her. 

We will miss her very much.

 

We also wish to thank you for helping, and actually selecting, her for us.  She was a perfect match!  She gave us many years of happiness and memories, along with Callie (Josie), your other selection for us.

 

John and Linda

In Memory: Jeb Wallace

OUR LIVES WITH JEB

I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since we first met Jeb.  We brought him home on April 16, 2002.

Jeb was a rescue from somewhere around Charles Town, West Virginia.   When we first met him, he was about 6-7 months old.  It was suspected that he had suffered some form of abuse.  He had been ill, was underweight with thin fur, and was a little shy.  It was love at first sight, though, for my family and – we’d like to think – for Jeb as well. 

One of my first comments, after having Jeb for 2 days, was “He is the most polite dog I have ever met!” That continued to be true for all of his life. He was truly a family dog.  He enjoyed everyone’s company but – when it was just him and me – he was my little shadow, by my side from room to room throughout the house. 

My family and I had such a great time with Jeb through the years – running through the woods on the campus of St. Andrew’s School in Delaware and on the old logging roads in Maine; camping trips to Shenandoah (Jeb’s first), Acadia National Park or on the shores of Lake St. George (never could overcome his fear of water, though); or simple pleasures (for Jeb) like chasing tennis balls until he would nearly drop. 

Jeb did finally discover how to bark – when we first met him at Victory Farm, we were told no one had never heard him bark – only “roo” (which was an amazing and beautiful sound).  As he got older and more courageous, his barks grew louder and louder.  When he lost his hearing a couple of years ago (probably due to his loud barks!), he couldn’t got outside without a bark!  So out he’d go, pinwheeling and barking to his heart’s content!

Our family lost our gentle, sweet, smart, polite and loving boy on April 7, 2014.  Letting go of Jeb and saying goodbye was one of the hardest things for my family and especially for me.  Jeb became ill in early March, and by the end of the month, his condition had declined such that he could no longer walk.  Caring for him in his final days was a labor of love – love that I continued to hope would bring him through whatever was ailing him.  In the end though, our love for Jeb took on a different meaning – that of letting go.

My family and I would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Sarah Ruckelshaus and the Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue for introducing us to our first border collie love.  And for being there with advice and support over the past few weeks as we battled Jeb’s illness. 

We turn our attention now to surrounding ourselves with memories of Jeb and giving our hearts to Leap, our other MABCR love!

Donna, with Bill, Lyndsay & Selena 

In Memory: Luce McNenly

It was with a heavy heart that we had to let Luce go to the Bridge this morning. Her back legs started failing, then her front legs started last night and then she refused her dinner last night so it was time

We adopted her from Mid Atlantic Border Collie Rescue on St Paddy's day in 2001. She was the perfect "intro to border collies" dog

After a neglected "childhood", she learned how to play with toys, learned to tug and to play with other dogs. She loved "orbiting" other dogs that were playing fetch. 

She ended up being a very happy little dog. Always wanted to see what we were doing. Would make her rounds several times a day if she wasn't sure where we were in the house. Always made sure she said good morning to everyone in the house every day. 

She was a beautiful dark red - so dark she looked like she was made of mahogany in the sunshine 

She earned lots of titles in the ten years we competed together in agility, including her PDCH and Platinum P3 Snooker

She will be greatly missed as she was so much a part of our lives

Luce 09/04/1999 - 04/13/2013

Go in peace, little one

Helen 

In Memoriam: MABCR Pete Painter

Hi Sarah-

Just wanted to say thanks for the many years of wonderful companionship we had with one of the dogs we adopted from your Rescue. We took "Flash" from you on a rainy day in Va. about 11 years ago at a sheep trial event. he was a stray- not used to people, kind of aloof at the time, had no recall, and really had the weirdest saliva a dog could have (?)- all of those things changed over the years and we also learned that what Pete, as he was renamed, really wanted was a small dog to care for. He had a few (my daughter's dogs who stayed with us for a time) and another dog we got from you, "Snaggle" ( a sweet border terrier renamed Frank  sent to you from a shelter in NC) three years ago.. he really loved Frank and Frank loved him.

All around Pete was a wonderful, wonderful border collie and great friend. Sadly, Pete died about a month ago at  the age of either 16 or 17- liver tumor and loss of movement due to either  cancer and/ or arthritis. We made a very difficult decision to put him down in October after he able longer to metabolize any food or get up on his own. Our vet was great and really helped him through a tough old age for quite a while. We are still mourning his loss, but we know he had a great life and  we had a great life with him- he was such a wonderful part of out family- can not imagine him not being a part of it.

Just wanted to say thanks again for him, and also for Frank. He is also a really special dog.  We are thinking of adopting another dog..moving slowly though as we are still missing Pete.

Happy Holidays to you and yours. We are sending a donation in memory of Pete and for all the hard work you do.

Lori and Eric Painter

P.S

The picture is of Pete with one of his "charges"..my daughter's dog, Richie who lived with us for about 4 years.

In Memory: MABCR Scout Eyler

I'm really sorry to say that Scout left me yesterday afternoon.  She got sick on Sunday and went to the emergency vet that afternoon.  She spent Sunday night and Monday night at the emergency vet and all day Monday and Tuesday at my regular vet.  Even though her fever broke Tuesday morning and I was hopeful that she would pull through, an ultrasound showed that her pancreas was still extremely inflamed and that she had a lot of fluid in her belly. Plus, her blood work was getting worse. Doctor Barbour, who has my complete trust (he saved Tucker's life last year), thought she might have another 48 hours.  My greatest fear was that she was suffering and that if I took her back to the emergency vet that night she would spend her final hours with strangers instead of with people she knew and who loved her.  I was able to bring her home Monday night for a couple of hours so that she could see all of her furry brothers and sisters again and they could say goodbye.  I was with her until the end. She will be particularly missed by Tucker and her cat Rogue.

Scout and Tucker were both adopted from the Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue in 2001.  Scout in July and Tucker in August.  Thank you Sarah for bringing us all together.  Scout's name at that point was "Goose".  Seriously Sarah, what were you thinking.  After I loaded the big hairy mess in my back seat I turned around and told her her new name was Scout - and the rest is history!  It's funny that that day I was planning to come home with a male dog, who was black with white markings with shorter fur.  Well, I chose right that day and was fortunate enough to add Tucker to the family a month later.  They were both meant to be mine.

Scout was happiest when it was cold outside and her fur would blow in the wind and snow.  She was wonderful with kids and particularly loved tween girls.  On more than one occasion she would walk up to a blanket full of girls at the park and lay down between them, perfectly content.

I loved:

The way she would "woo woo woo" instead of barking
Her beautiful coat and long furry tail
How sweet and protective she was
How much she loved her brother Tucker
How stubborn and mule headed she was
The way she "patrolled" the yard

Scout loved:

Eating any kind of poop
Biting the heads off of small rodents
Carrying live mice around in her mouth, inside the house!
Rolling in mud and poop
Taking walks and visiting her friends
Carrots and ice cubes
Having her belly rubbed

I will miss her more than I can say.  It's so hard to believe that she is gone and I can't begin to tell you how much I wish she was still here.  I'm so happy that many of you were able to know her.  A couple of pictures are attached that show her at her best!

If anyone would like to make a donation to the MABCR http://ww.mabcr.org in Scout's name it would be greatly appreciated.  They do wonderful work, gave me two fabulous dogs and changed my life.

Thanks to the wonderful staff at the Yellow Springs Veterinary Clinic for providing such wonderful care and emotional support.

Ilsa Sternberg

This afternoon I learned that one of the most inspirational people I have ever met has passed away.

I met Ilsa several times over a few year period. We ran into each other at herding clinics and sheepdog trials, and always, I was so amazed by her strength. 

You see, Ilsa was confined to a wheelchair. She had very little ability to move, her wheelchair was electronic, and her voice was barely above a whisper. Yet, her passion was training dogs, and dog training she did.

Before I met her, I was told she trained her pappillons in agility. I was told that her dogs worked well for her. Then she got the bug for herding, and trained her  border collies to work the flocks. Last I saw her, her dogs wore a receiver on their collars so they could hear her commands. I heard through the grapevine that at trials she did have assistance on the field, a human closed the gate for her, but other than that she worked her dogs.

I am certain it was not easy for her. I didn't have the privilege of knowing her well enough to know of her struggles, or her triumphs, but common sense says she had them. Yet she kept at it.

I understand she had property in Florida, and had sheep. I am sure she had quite a bit of help and support, but she did it. She kept at the training and being with her dogs.

Ilsa had written a book and she gave me a copy. It is still the book I recommend to physically challenged people who call looking for help. I am sure someone has written one more recently, but Ilsa was extraordinary in her understanding, since she herself was physically challenged. The book is available at amazon and other book selling outlets.

When someone tells me they can't train their dog for XXX reason, I think of Ilsa. I am sure loads of people told Ilsa she couldn't, and yet she did.

I have no doubt there were dogs waiting for Ilsa at the bridge.

Memorial: Faith Hoolachan

Dear Sarah -

Ten years ago, on October 19, 2001 and not long after 9/11, you gave us Faith.  

I don't know if you remember her but you said when you got her from the Harford County pound (where, coincidentally, I had seen her originally on their website) it became immediately clear that she had no plans to sleep anywhere other than in the house.  

When we drove up to the farm, she left her post on the porch guarding the food and jumped in our car. Faith passed away yesterday after giving us 10 wonderful years of her company.  Every member of our family had a special relationship with her and although she was our first dog, she was the best dog ever!  Exceedingly polite (except perhaps to other dogs on the street), smart, gentle, funny, adventurous (she had a knack for wandering far and wide), patient, and over the years, established a truce with the deer and squirrels on the property.  Her last Christmas was highlighted by a significant number of meatballs.  She was one great dog.

The little boys in the attached photo are now grown up but they will always keep Faith in their hearts. 

Thank you Sarah and MABCR. 

 Janet, John, Jordan, Aidan & Nolan 

Jake and John

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog... anonymous 

There has never been a dog so missed, or a man so loved by his dog. 

In loving memory of Jake and a piece of John he took with him. 

Donation made in honor of Jake and John by Kit

In Memoriam: Bandit Guttag

I am embarrassed to say that I cannot remember how Bandit came to rescue. What I do know is that he was a lovely, big boofy boy who was sweet, gentle and kind. And that he brought together two of my favorite MABCR peeps, Kris Guttag and Erika Leckington.

MABCR adopted Bandit to Kris and her husband in 2002. Not long afterwards, I learned that Steve referred to me as the Cult Leader, so I became the Supreme Leader of the Divine Church of the Border Collie, and Kris became my friend.

I have been privileged to become a part of Kris's life. Kris has volunteered with MABCR since shortly after Bandit's adoption. She has enriched my life, I am happy when she visits, and even happier when she cooks. Her son Gary has played with every moving thing on the farm (that he can convince to be still enough to touch) and I know that Bandit was instrumental in teaching Gary how to appreciate and to be kind to animals.

This morning Bandit went peacefully with Kris by his side.

I am ever so grateful to Bandit for bringing Kris and her family into my life, and even more so to the Guttags for giving Bandit the loving forever home that he so well deserved.

Rest easy buddy. See you at the Bridge.

One of My Greatest Saves

This post is very personal. It isn't really my grief to own, but I call it mine anyway. I am selfish that way sometimes. This story began back when I was an independent rescuer, and MABCR didn't exist as it does today.

Sometime in the late '90s (can't remember exactly when, too long ago, too many cobwebs and lives have passed me) I received a phone call from a woman who asked me to help her save a dog. Her sister had this dog you see...and the dog was not being treated well. Oh, she was cared for, but she wasn't loved, and the woman knew the dog deserved to be loved. She knew the dog could be great. But she needed a new home, and a new name. Her name was Brat. No dog should be called Brat.

The woman flew the dog from Idaho to her home in Virginia. She had her spayed and fully vetted, then drove her to me. And Brat became Brit.

Brit was a tough nut. She was full of fire, a real little pistol. And FAST!!! I called her my Pocket Rocket. Oh my how I loved that little dog. She was tiny, she weighed maybe 25 pounds. I knew that in the right hands she would make an amazing agility dog, and that was before I really knew anything about agility.

Brit drove a rocky road here on Victory Farm. She fought constantly with another bitch I had here at the time, and among other major infractions, she killed a new lamb. I had her about 9 months and was beginning to wonder if I would be able to place her when Maryellen Miller mentioned to me that she would really like to have that little dog.

My heart soared, the adoption was made and history written.

I don't know what would have happened to Brit had she not come here. I don't know all of the awards, titles, and ribbons Brit and Maryellen won. I don't know all of the venues Brit and Maryellen have competed in.

I do know that Brit had a great life with her humans. I do know she had a rockin' good partner to play agility with. I do know that Brit is one of the reasons I still do rescue today. I do know that Brit is one of the reasons Maryellen and Al work so hard along side the rest of the MABCR volunteers and will forever be a part of my own extended family. I do know my heart fills with tears when I know that I will never scrub that tail nub again. And I do know the Miller's house is one empty house tonight.

When you see Maryellen and Al, please don't tell them how sorry you are. Tell them just how happy you are that they gave Brit the life she was meant to have. Tell them how wonderful it is that they uncovered the great dog she had hidden inside. And be sure to tell them that rockin' little dog had the best life ever thanks to them.

And if you are wondering...no, there never will be another Brit. She was one of a kind...

Brit, may you rest easy in your mama's heart. I am ever so proud to have known you.

A Child's Grief

I received this email yesterday from a friend.


"My Aunt's granddaughter is trying to deal with the sudden loss of her dog.  She drew a picture for my Aunt to show her dog in Heaven.  We should all deal with grief is such a constructive way."


Looks like heaven to me.


Sarah

In Memoriam: Otis Schemm

OTIS 2003??-03.08.11

Otis entered my life in late summer, 2007. A handsome lad with a sweet demeanor, Otis was a wonderful companion. I asked Sarah for a border collie and she thought I wanted a high energy dog to compete. When I told her that I wanted a mellow dog, she suggested Otis. When I got out of my car at the farm, there was this gentle dog. Sarah showed me how he “danced” to music. That was it. How could anyone resist such a happy guy.

He was the perfect height for pats and hugs, right under your fingers when standing. He loved to chase deer and ground hogs, nuzzle the barn and house cats and watch the horizon for encroaching wild life. He monitored the fields around the house.

Otis had a sense of humor and liked to lunge at the horses—as long as they were behind fences and ran to me when Bea got too aggressive with playing. 80 lbs. trying to hide behind me!

It is sad to have no Otis watching out the window as I pull up the driveway into the garage after work, no guy to greet me quietly as I open the door and no nuzzle for treats.

His health was fine until a week before his death. I noticed large lumps in his throat area and went to vet and got the bad news.

Otis followed me everywhere even on the last day of his life, when he was gravely ill. His quiet departure in my arms was a comfort because his health was so compromised by a fast moving lymphydema. He knows how much I loved him and I am grateful for the honor of owning him for 4 wonderful years. He will always have a special place in my heart.

Ruth

Goodbye Jacob

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Friends,

Please understand that I am in a difficult time of mourning and am not able to function as well as usual. Yesterday I said my final goodbye to the most influential friend in my life so far, and watched the light drain from his eyes as the vet put the drug that stopped his heart into his vein. I don’t expect everyone to understand how the loss of a pet can be so devastating, but I want to tell you how special Jacob was to me.

He was part of a litter of 8 that was born at my neighbor’s. My daughter had saved her babysitting money to purchase a pup from this long anticipated litter. She picked her pup when they were only 3 weeks old. I admired the pups and was very interested in their development the following weeks. One day I was puppy-sitting and the pups were in a pen in my yard. All but one of the pups were at the fence, jumping and vying for my attention. Jacob, however, was sitting back a ways and looking right into my eyes. I knew at that moment that he was for me. Thus began my 15 + year relationship with what I consider to be the most vital life force I’ve ever encountered.

At the time of Jacobs’s birth, I had been in a lengthy period of illness and depression, and medicine and therapy were not helping me enough to be able to function on any sort of normal level. The love and support of my family kept me alive, but this young pup pulled me back from the darkness and helped me to find joy again. He would not let me sit idle, he would fuss at me and bring every toy and pile them on me until I would laugh at him and get up and go play with him.

Because he needed, indeed, demanded “work”, I met wonderful people that loved dogs and dog sports and activities and I started getting out in the world again, at least in the dog world. We went to puppy classes, agility classes and herding classes, and later to some competitions. Jacob was always the star, the smartest, the fastest, and the most focused. He gave me the legitimacy to run my heavy, uncoordinated body around a course, because I had the best dog, and didn’t have to be so self-conscious of my lack of grace and skill. This time brought my daughter and I closer as we attended classes and events together with our “super” dogs.

Because I was a novice, of limited physical ability, and had limited financial resources, he did not attain all the championships and titles that might have come under a better, more fit handler; I don’t believe he understood or cared about this, even though an “animal communicator” once told me that he was “cussing” at me as we ran a course. He always seemed to be happy in the moment and put much gusto in everyday activities, whether it was fetch in the yard, learning tricks, or fussing at me till I took him in the car somewhere: to play, swim in the river, chase geese, “shop” in a pet store, or just enjoy the air blowing in our faces.

The last two years have had their times of sadness and dread for me as I watched his physical body giving out on him and the activities he loved were no longer possible for him. It was hard to decide when it was time to do him the last service he required of me. I finally came to that determination this past weekend, as I watched him unable to get up from the floor or stay up when I lifted him and tried to steady him on his legs, and having to lie in his own urine as it came out beyond his control.

I made the appointment and, of course he had a rally, getting up and walking about and going down and up the ramp that has been necessary for him to even be able to get outdoors the last few years. He walked to the car and he walked into the vet’s under his own power. When the procedure was started he fought it, and looked right into my eyes as he had that first day, demanding that I stop this thing, but I knew that it was the right time and that his suffering of body and dignity needed to end. They took him in the back room, sedated him and put a catheter in his back leg before they brought him back to me for the final procedure. Even then, he kicked about and didn’t make it easy for the vet to administer the dose.

I still have a yard full of Jacob’s relatives, but I have a hole in my heart today. I know that grieving is another task of life and that I have to go through it rather than try to hide it, if that were even possible.

Please know that I covet and rely on your kindness, forbearance, and especially your prayers at this time. I am trying to focus on the work before me, even as I know Jacob would be fussing at me to get up and get moving forward little by little.

Thanks.

Editor's note: Jacob was not an MABCR dog. I posted this because Jacob's human spoke so eloquently of her loss and of Jacob's love. Rescue or not, we all understand that. Sarah

In Memoriam: Scooter Dog Thoreau Schmidt Fisher

Dear Friends and Family,

We write to share the sad news of Scooter Dog Thoreau Schmidt Fisher's passing.

For an epileptic Border Collie mix, Scooter lived a long and adventuro

us life (b. July 4, 1994 d. January 22, 2011.) He went to Baltimore and Washington street festivals, crashed parties, hosted parties, was Best-Dog in our wedding, loved to camp along the shores of the Chesapeake, the backwoods of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Canada - the only time he ever appeared displeased with camping was up in Algonquin Provincial Park when the mosquitoes were so thick his snout was pink from bites!

Scooter attended Schmidt Family reunions, Clean Water Action reunions, and multiple American Library Association meetings (Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, and Toronto to name a few.)

Jim and I have talked about all we've learned from him - may we all age as gracefully as Scooter. He approached life happily and was up for anything. He was a good dog and we miss him.

Love,

Sarah and Jim

Editor's note: I for one am grateful to Scooter for bringing Sarah and Jim to MABCR. Sarah and Jim and Scooter (and Thai) have volunteered many hours to MABCR and I have always enjoyed their company. Scooter will be missed.

In Memoriam: Terry Kellam-Quinn

Sally,

Sad news.  We put Terry down this morning.  She was blind and deaf and could hardly get around anymore.  She would have turned 18 February 7th.  The winter with all the snow was really hard on her.  

Sharon