Ray Charles was our first blind dog. We adopted him on his second birthday-October 8, 1999. We had no idea what to expect when we saw his Petfinder adoption page. We never had any experience with a blind dog before. What we found out was that they are just like any other dog. Ray was blind from birth, so not only couldn't he see, he didn't know he should be able to! He learned our house over a weekend, and could navigate up and down stairs, down hallways, into doorways and around furniture in no time. People were amazed at how well he got around, and some swore he must have been able to see! As he got older, he developed severe arthritis, and then cancer. We released him from his pain on Dec. 30th, 2009. Without him, we would not have known the love that blind dogs have to offer, and BDRA would not be here. Good bye, Ray, we miss you. Karen and Eric.
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My beautiful Great Pyrenees, Sindari, the love of my life for 13 yrs.
He was my first Pyr. He loved his Sibe brothers and watched over and
protected us. I love and miss you Sindari. Sir Sin crossed the
Rainbow Bridge Aug 7, 2005
Bev & Mike Shane Yasha, Yuri, Quinn, Lokai & Tristin
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She was our first Siberian Husky. We had no idea we could find a purebred Siberian
Husky in a shelter. We figured we'd go to the pet store at the mall.
Fate had other plans.My sister in law called me to see if I wanted
to go to the shelter with her, to help her pick out a dog to adopt. I'm
always for playing with dogs, so I went along.We walk in, and there
she was. Second cage on the left. A little black and white, bi-eyed
Siberian Husky. I couldn't believe it. I immediately called Eric, and
told him we had to get to the shelter first thing in the morning,
because we had to adopt a dog (by the time we had gotten there that
evening, adoption hours were over) We weren't even in our house yet,
so Sasha came home with me for 3 weeks, until we moved. My parents' old
dog hated Sasha and her energy, so she hung in the family room for 3
weeks, where she ate a computer plug, 2 bags of beggin strips, an Elmo
costume, and 3 jars of finger paints. We had pink and blue and purple
pawprints all over the basement, and the couch, and the love seat. We
knew nothing about Sibes, besides the fact that they're gorgeous. Sasha
gave us an education and fast. She loved to eat the phone book, and any
hardback. She was the boss of the house, keeping
Isis and Ray in line, as well as any fosters we had in the house. As
soon as they came in, she mounted them, so they knew who was boss, and
all was well. She didn't keep her bossing to dogs. My father in law
was in her spot on the sofa. She squeezed behind him, and shoved him
off the couch, then curled up in his spot and went to sleep. On March 18th, 2008 we had to put her to sleep. She couldn't get up, could barely move. The cancer had spread so much. I
can't believe she's gone. I'm waiting for to jump on the bed and shove
me out of the way, or claw me for my breakfast, or jump in my spot when
I got up, or hog the blankets, or do any of the million things she did
every day. We still miss you, Sasha. Karen and Eric
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Sparky 4/3/94 - 3/13/06
All my daughter wanted for the holidays was a
little black puppy. It was at the top of her list, the bottom of her
list, and sprinkled in between. Sparky came into our lives at eight weeks old.
She was born 4/3/94 to proud parents Magic and Hershey. When we first
brought her home she weighed just 2.2 pounds and you could hold her in
the palm of your hand. She was our first dog. I think her ears were
bigger than the rest of her. My husband and children named her because
she was black with a little white running down her chest. My husband
said she looked like a little spark plug, hence Sparky. Sparky was a petite little girl. She had the
prettiest little face and was the love of my life. She was so soft; she
had such silky thick black fur. If I move my hand I can still feel her
fur. She was my shadow. If I was sick, she would stay snuggled next to
me and never leave. Sparky was about 5 when we adopted Sarah. And she
was definitely a princess. At first she ignored Sarah. She didn't want
us to know she really liked her, but at times we would find them
snuggled together on the steps or on a bed. In October of 2005 I noticed something starting
to protrude from the side of her mouth. We had it removed and it proved
to be cancerous. We were told that oral cancer is one of the worst for
a dog. After speaking with an oncologist we decided not to put her
through treatment. It would have involved travel to NYC and would have
been too stressful on Sparky. It would have possibly given her only a
few extra months at most. She was too good and too sweet to put her
through all that. And so, about 3 weeks before her 12th birthday, my
little baby Sparky lost her battle. It was time and she told me so with
her eyes. My daughter and I held her as we gave her hugs, kisses, and
through tears, our final gift of love. Sparky, you are now free of pain at the Rainbow
Bridge. We miss you so; you taught us the meaning of unconditional
love. Someday we will all be together again. I know that you are with
Grandpa smiling down at us now. We love you so much!! Love, Mommy (Sheila), Daddy (Walt), Cheryl, Matthew, Richard & Sarah
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NIKITA
I wanted a Siberian Husky and for Christmas in 1986 I got my
Nikita. I always wanted a blue eyed boy, but when I got Niki, he was
the one for me. His name means Unconquerable, and Nikita had no fear
of anything. He put Sindari, my Great Pyrenees, in his place right away
without even getting up off the floor. It was my love for Nikita that
got me into Siberian Husky Rescue after he crossed the Rainbow Bridge on
Dec 29th 2000 at the age of 14 yrs and 2 months. Niki was one in a million
Niki so I know how lucky I was to have him. He's running with pride
in his silver harness with all my dogs that passed before him and after, Kim,
Bandit, Chief, Sindari (#1), Sindari (the Pyr) Pirate, Casey, Daisy (my
inherited Pry) and Buffin.
Niki's nickname that he loved to be called was "Dahling"
We love and miss you Nikita.
Your Mommy and Daddy Bev and Mike Shane
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Rastus came to me when I needed him most, on the same day my partner died. I looked at him at the wake and said to myself "I would love a dog like him," as he made his way from one person to another, asking for a pat, but not too worried if he was ignored.
Fate meant he stayed - he was 7 years old, smart, cheeky, and very active. I knew nothing about dogs - had never owned one before - so he forced me to learn how to care for him, train him, walk, and feed him.
From the beginning he had collapsing trachea, but it only rarely slowed him down. He would have "attacks", and I would sit with him, massage his throat, and comfort him until the attack passed. On one of these occasions he snuggled closer to me, not to gain comfort but to comfort me and tell me it was all going to be ok.
He made me laugh, which was so important at that time. He loved cats, literally. Would go up to them and lick their faces, much to the cat's confusion. He would chase my cat, and run past when my cat stopped, as if that was the intention all along. He would have to be told four times to stop eating the cat's kibble, and only stopped if I put the bowl up high. If a smell in the grass was interesting, all the calling in the world wouldn't get him to come back to me.
In October 2009 he developed a cough, which turned out to be collapsing of his airways lower down. Various treatments were tried, from various vets, but nothing really helped. He would have one good day, and two bad. Then on 15 December I found him collapsed on the floor of his kennel. The vets tried all day to get him stable, but nothing worked - oxygen, steroids, diuretics. So I made the decision to let him go. Even the vet had tears in her eyes.
I still look up and expect to see him looking up at me. Rastus, I miss you, but know you are in a better place now.
Kim
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When Joy came to our door that freezing January 1999, little did we realize what a true gift she was .
Wearing a Montana Vet tag, we called and
were told they would contact the owner with our information. It was a
Rescue who gave us her history. She had just turned 1 yr. old when she
got here. It appears this almost perfect girl had been in 6 different
homes in that one short year. What huge mistakes these prior homes
made not giving her a chance to grow up a little . But what a blessing
for us.
Two years ago this coming Xmas I noted her
eye , having seen glaucoma was shocked to see that look in her left eye
. In June that year she lost her eye . She handled it like the champ
she was . I didn't do too well .
A year later she had a tumor on her elbow
and it was removed . Again she just accepted it . I also was able to
deal with it . In this very time she lost sight in her right eye . She
again amazed us and moved on. I was in awe of her ability to face her
problems and continue , I was not so strong .
The last of July, we noted a small lump on
her spine and rushed her to the vet . It was a calcium build up from
two vertebrae and the future was not bright .. One month later it had
tripled in size and she could barely get up or down. But she did to go
out and do her business . Through all her problems she never made a
mistake in the house.
On August 23, 2008 her vet came over and
released her out in the back on the hill she loved to lay on. She
handled it with all the grace, strength and class this wonderful girl
possessed. Her mother didn't handle it well at all and still is not .
When she closed her eye and left, all the joy in my world went with her
.
If Perfection had a name, it would be Joy.
Jan.21,1999 - Aug.23,2008
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We joined BDRA because of our love for our little blind
Pom. He was a rescue from the south, we pulled him and adopted him
"sight unseen" based on his listing as blind, senior and friendly...he
came to us on one of the transport trains from the south that we help
with when we can. I originally adopted him really for me, but my son
fell in love with him when we picked him up on train transport....and
never really put him down after that...he slept with him, watched TV
with him and generally spent all his time with this little guy. My son
is a 6' 2" high school football player and just had to snuggle with
this little 8 pound puff ball. My son also has a cockatiel that is very
attached to him....and whenever my son leaves the room (even if other
people are in it) the bird will shriek for him...very quickly our
little blind guy learned that if the bird was calling like that it
meant that my son had left the room and he would jump up whining and
"looking"....so funny! I would have to call him back to pick both of
them up. We adopted Rizzo with a heart murmur and for the last several
months he had to have a big increase in meds, became incontinent due to
the meds, and had trouble with coughing. This past Monday night, he
passed away at home during the night. I was lucky enough to get a
picture of him with my son at Christmas....such good looking boys! We
miss you Riz! Kay
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In Memory of Skeeter
April 13, 1994 – August 31, 2009
Skeeter was my constant companion for 15 ½ years. When
I turned twelve, my parents gave me a Shih-Tzu puppy – Skeeter – in
hopes that she would teach me responsibility. She, of course, taught me
much more than that. She saw me through changing friends, many schools
(high school, college, grad school), and many states (we lived in New
Hampshire, New York, Arizona, California). She had a strong
personality, even as she got older, and was spunky and opinionated. The growing cataracts in her eyes didn’t faze her, nor did when she could no longer jump on the bed, or easily on the couch. And
when an eye infection took away the sight in her left eye completely,
she learned quickly to deal with that as well and was patient with the
many medications I had to put in her eye. For three years she had that
big, blind eye. And even though the cataract in her seeing eye
continued to grow larger, and her hearing and her sense of smell
poorer, she was still cheerful, happy, and very loved, both by me and
her adopted dad, Jake.
Skeeter
became sick with complications of old age and died exactly three weeks
later. We’re glad she didn’t have to suffer long. Her wonderful vet was
still telling me that she wasn’t in much pain, might get better, and
not to put her down yet when she died naturally while in my lap. She was graceful, spunky and opinionated to the end.
Skeeter, you are very loved, and much missed. Love, Liz and Jake.
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Buddy, we tried to help you. We're sorry it was too late for you. We wanted to show you that you don't have to fear people. Godspeed, Buddy. You no longer have to be afraid. BDRA volunteers
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Keiko was a sweet dog who had a rough life. She ended up at a shelter in Texas with severe trauma to her head, requiring her eyes to be removed. Pablo and Val, BDRA volunteers, hoped to foster her and help her get past the pain to show her the love she so needed and deserved. Unfortunately, they never got that chance. Keiko died during surgery. Thank you to the BARC volunteers who worked tirelessly on Keiko's behalf. Godspeed, Keiko. You deserve so much more than you got. We will never
forget you. Pablo, Val, and the volunteers of BDRA.
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On May 2, 2010 I carried perfect Macey for the last time in this world, to a backyard burial site, and now she is waiting, playing at Rainbow Bridge.
Val and I are so thankful to each of you for your support and especially to those who brought Macey to us: Danielle, Colleen & Karen who facilitated Macey to BDRA, Kim for noticing an issue during transport and keeping her in VA (which allowed Andrew to go to Karen & Eric and on to a Forever Home). Kim and Val then spent a Sunday transporting this sweet girl back home to us.
Though a BDRA doggie, Macey had good vision; she was mostly deaf and had neurological issues and learning disabilities. Macey truly was at home and we were perfect for her. Val has a deaf sister and a daughter, Kayla, that passed away at 16 from heart failure and also had some issues that Macey faced. So - though not blind at all - Macey through BDRA found herself in our home, the one right place in the world for her.
That same day, I did a write-up for Macey's adoption page and we laughed about it, knowing Macey would not be adopted - too many issues. Macey would live all her life with us and Val was already figuring what to do next winter as Macey just loved being outdoors all day and would pout and whine when kept in.
Of course we built her a special pen, placed along a tree line for shade plus covered too. Macey would play there, with us or alone, sometimes with Mama Buffy or neighbor doggie Rascal. She loved to lie low, ready to pounce on her prey - us! Macey enjoyed her rawhides, stuffies and being loved on. It took awhile, yet she gave such good kisses and loved the ritual of nighttime loving before bed, a loving she received each and every night ... good for her and even better for us.
All of us will pass, though we know not when. Some will have long lives, others like Macey short ones. We can only hope to really have lived ... Macey really did live. Macey played, she was happy, she loved us and we loved Macey. Macey knew she was home here and fit right in to our pack of misfits, defectives and cast-offs. Macey was a Bassim and a BDRA doggie and again Val and I thank each of you for helping make that true. Please enjoy lovely Macey's pictures, attached.
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Sweet Carly came to BDRA heartworm positive and very sick. She was found wandering through a swamp in South Carolina. After coming to BDRA, she required 2 separate ER visits and had to stay there several days for monitoring and treatment. She received an immiticide injection for the heartworms, requiring her to be kept quiet. In true Husky fashion, she escaped her enclosure, and was found sleeping in the hallway. Thankfully she was not a typical hyper Sibe, and rested throughout her treatment. Despite this, a clot traveled to her lung. This caused her to be short of breath, but she still enjoyed her walks, her meals and belly rubs. A second clot proved to be too much for her. When her foster parents went to take her for her morning walk, she was gone. She passed away in her sleep, leaving many broken hearts behind. Carly was always so sweet and happy, despite everything she had been through. She had a wag and a kiss for everyone. We desperately wanted her to get better and enjoy her new life being happy and spoiled in a loving home, but it was not meant to be. BDRA wants to thank Carly's guardian angel, Lisa, who found her, took care of her, and transported her to her foster home when she was healthy enough to travel. Godspeed, beautiful Carlita girl. We miss you so much, and can't believe you're gone. Karen, Eric and the BDRA family.
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"Van Halen was pulled from Floyd County Animal Control near Rome, GA. He was a very sick boy and had a cataract in one eye. When we put him in the car, he wasn't even able to jump in the backseat, but had to be lifted. He was loved on and petted all the way back to Atlanta. When we got him home, we tried to bathe him as he was filthy. His fur was so matted and dirty three bath rinse made no difference in how he looked. He went to the vets and we were told he had no muscle tone in his back end at all and little muscle tone in the rest of his body. I asked if we could try to get him to eat and get better. The vet didn't think he would get better, but agreed to let us try. He ate everything we gave him and drank and drank and drank. He was house-trained and loved to walk outside as much as he could. He went a couple of days later to get shaved and bathed. He was like a different boy when he came home. Still very weak, but seemed to really be glad to be clean and mat free. We thought he was getting better with his good food and rest and love. On Monday night he started breathing oddly, like he was breathing through water. It continued to get worse through Tuesday. He was also trembling more as we walked him on Tuesday. We took him to the vets as his breathing was getting worse and worse. When he got into the room at the vets he collapsed and we talked with the vet. It was time to release him to be pain free. We were able to be with him as he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. We know he is running and playing there like he was not able to here on Earth. He left paw prints on our hearts for the short time we were blessed to know him. Run free sweet boy!"
Rich and Colleen Wheat
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Nadya was a sweet little 4 yr old girl that came into rescue blind and deaf and heartworm positive. This little girl lived in a world of darkness and silence. A beautiful little girl with one brown eye and one parti eye, which had a little crescent of blue in one corner of her eye. A couple of weeks ago, the bedding in her crate moved and her hind legs splayed out on her. I know she was kept outside on dirt and grass all her life and anything slippery underfoot made her uncomfortable and spooked. So thinking she strained her leg I waited a few days to see if rest would help, there was no improvement. So off to the vet we go. To our shock and horror it was not a strain, it was bone cancer. This is when the worrying started because we know how fast spreading this cancer can be. She was on pain medication and a organic holistic grain to help her. The last couple of days she was not putting any weight on it at all and it was decided that it was time to help her across the Rainbow Bridge. So on July 21, 2010 our sweet little Nadya went to play with the other Sibe's in the Sky. Nadya is now running free of pain and can now see and hear once again. Godspeed little Miss Nadya, there is another star in the sky and it has your name on it. You will be sadly missed by all in rescue and especially by your foster Mom Bev. I miss seeing you spin little girlie.
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In Memory of Little Xavier
Recently, on a Monday night, we had the good fortune of meeting little Xavier. Despite a long history of neglect, emaciation, and being blind & deaf, he had a sweet loving nature that clearly shone through. The first few days he was still able to eat a little here and there but unfortunately his body wasn't able to handle it and his health steadily deteriorated. Blood tests revealed that he was in 4th stage kidney failure. During the week here and his short time in Texas, everyone who came in contact with this little guy could see his strength and desire to live and be loved. Because of this, BDRA went the extra mile and tried flushing the little guy's system. We all were heartbroken to hear it had no effect. We all find some comfort that in such a short time, he was loved and cared for by many. And that now he no longer has pain or hunger and is running, and jumping again as only a Min Pin can, over the Rainbow Bridge.
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We found Foster’s picture, by accident, in a book of adoptable dogs at a local store in July of 2009. When we called the shelter to ask about him they were a little surprised that we were calling specifically for Foster. He had been at the shelter for 3 months and no one had wanted him because Foster had cataracts and was mostly blind. We went and met him, and a little over 24 hours later he came home with us. We had him for about 4 months when we learned he was diabetic. He was put on insulin and a special food. In March, we took him to the University of Tennessee Veterinary School to have his cataracts removed. After some pre-operation test, we were told Foster had zero retinal function and that removing the cataracts would be pointless. Foster was completely blind. My husband, Jay, and I took the news hard, but then we realized Foster was happy and healthy otherwise and that was all that really mattered. A couple weeks after Foster’s 1 year anniversary with us, he had a sudden loss of the use of his left side. We rushed him to the vet in the middle of the night. The vet told us that she believed it was something neurological and referred us to UT Veterinary School. There they did a MRI, spinal tap, and a lot of blood work. It revealed he had a mass on his brain stem that was or had been bleeding. They believed the mass to be the result of an Auto-immune inflammation disease, and that it was putting pressure on his brain stem blocking the signals to his left side. He was started on low doses of chemo, to suppress his immune system. Even through all this, he was a happy little guy. We could see he was fighting. He would have a good day or two, where he could stand or even walk if we helped balance him a little. He would get so excited when he started walking, so would we. Then he would have a couple bad days. On Aug. 16th 2010, one year and one month to the day from when we got him, he began to have seizures. We again rushed him to the vet. On the short drive to the vet he had three more seizures. The treatments were not working. He was getting worse by the day and on that day he looked for the first time like he was in pain. As much as it destroyed us to do it, we could not let him be in pain. It was the hardest decision my husband and I have ever had to make, but the look in his little eyes told us he was ready. We miss him terribly, and know there will always be a hole in our hearts. Foster gave us so much love and happiness. He is now running, playing, sun bathing, and seeing everything with perfect vision on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you, buddy, for all the love and memories. We love and miss you more than words could EVER describe. Love, Mom and Dad
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