Pokey
We were supposed to humanely euthanized you, a partially paralyzed puppy in a gas chamber shelter. That did not happen. Your bright eyes captured me. The huge spirit in that little body sealed the deal. We named you Pokey. The entire trip home your pointy little nose poked at me for attention. Nicknames abounded, Pokey Dokey, the Pokester Little Brat, Brat Boy, Pokers. You knew them all. Your spirit never faltered from the depths of your illness through tortuous physical therapy to partial recovery. Your illness paralyzed you totally. we had to flip you like a pancake to keep you clean and comfortable. Loads of towels used to cushion and clean you were washed daily. You regained more than anyone expected ...that powerful spirit in play again It wasn't enough. Upon graduating from the crate to kitchen, You knew you were the King of the World. You knew my voice, the sound of my footsteps no matter where I was. You would raise your head to look for me. When I came to you, your ears would go back your whole body would wiggle in delight because I was there . When I sat at the kitchen table to eat or just read, you would scoot over to me, lay your head on my foot and with a sigh, go to sleep. You had the "Imperial paw" down pat, albeit a little floppy. You enjoyed your toys, riding in the car, doing anything as long as you were with us. Your biggest thrill.. one of the big dogs would deign to play on your level, "jaw wrestling" with you. On the shaded back deck you spent cool mornings sniffing the air, checking the 'hood, Barking imperiously to be brought in after I walked last dog. You always KNEW when it was the last dog. How ? A favorite on Facebook People waiting to hear the your next update, sending you love, healing thoughts and prayers. Rooting for your recovery, as entranced by your great spirit as I was. You went to adoption events, the pet store, and everywhere you were, you made conquests of those whom you met. You grew older and bigger. your disabilities became more apparent. It was harder for you to lift yourself up, to move around . Your limbs just could not do it. Yet even then, frustrated beyond belief at your body's inability to respond to your wants, that glorious spirit still shone through. Physical therapy, swimming, braces, a cart, nothing could overcome the losses your illness inflicted ; nothing could return you to normal functions. No matter how much I loved you, I could not give you the life you so richly deserved. This would break even your indomitable spirit in time. In your brief time with us, You crashed my defenses and wormed deeply into my heart . I loved you unreservedly. You returned that threefold It took me a while, maybe too long, to decide to let you go . I was selfish, wanting to keep you with me. I finally made the choice to set you free of the body that limited that incredible spirit. I have made many difficult decisions in my life. This was one of the hardest. I cried for days before and after making it. I once said that one of the greatest gifts of love is letting go. I gave you that gift , my beloved Pokey. Smiling and upbeat, I held you in my arms and let you gently leave this life. Run Free, run fast, play like a puppy. Give kisses to the others who wait for me. When we meet at the Bridge, I hope to see you jump for joy at our reunion. We WILL meet again. Jodi Marcus July 2013

Yoda
Yoda's original owner passed away from cancer, the second owner relinquished Yoda to his final owner in terrible shape. Yoda eventually ended-up lame in his back legs. After spending thousands of dollars on acupuncture, vet care and a special cart for Yoda so that he could get around, he tragically bloated! Yoda's journey from paralysis to being able to trot up stairs inspired us all. We are forever changed and shall never forget you, dear Yoda!" Cared for, nurtured and loved by Kathy Chiavola. Run free, healthy and PERFECT at the Bridge dear Yoda!

Manny
The Heart of One who loves BY Cyndi Lott for mcaspets.org Once you have loved an animal truly with all your heart it's hard to see another suffer in any part. The love you have for yours is transferred to all others, And to see one hurt in any way makes you hug your own much tighter. In their sad eyes , you see instead a face you know and love Imagining what ifs and could have beens you never want to dream of. Except for fate and chance this could have been your own. And THAT is what will break you the love this one SHOULD have known. Because I 've given MY heart to a pet, It will never again belong to me. a little piece breaks off to travel with every homeless pet I see. Manny was so very special. Although he was only with us for 5 days, he took a huge chunk of our hearts with him when he left. Jodi and Charlie Marcus

Pancake - Lemondrop
We found out about Pancake, then known as Lemon, via another rescue. We had sent out an inquiry on a missing Akita and someone asked if we knew about the Akita at a local shelter? The shelter was thrilled we contacted them. Her stray time wasn’t up yet, but by that weekend it would be and they were happy for me to come meet her. When I arrived at the shelter, I asked why we hadn’t been notified and they explained that a) she was incredibly shy and was currently being housed in a sick ward and b) she came in with a small male terrier and they thought possibly an owner might call looking for them. That being said, both dogs were so filthy and encrusted with fecal matter that the shelter bathed them immediately. When I saw them, the small terrier had been clipped and looked very dapper and the white on Ms. Lemon sparkled. It took some coaxing to get both dogs out of the run and the staff person commented that a week earlier, both dogs were being carried outside. They just flattened themselves to the ground and refused to move. I could only wonder what type of environment these poor dogs had endured to be so literally petrified of humans. Pancake/Lemon seemed to relish sitting in the sun and watching the other dogs interact with humans and smelling fresh air. Her terrier companion was a friendly fellow and loved being petted and fawned over, but neither dog asked for attention. They just sat or stood and watched the other dogs, run and play, jump and lick staff or rescuers as if they were seeing a revelation for the first time. It really was heartbreaking. Here were two utterly beautiful dogs that obviously relished kindness and attention, but didn’t dare ask for it. If you moved towards Pancake/Lemon to talk or pet her, she cringed and sank to the ground. We bailed Pancake. She was what we started Rescue for. I angsted over her companion and how she would do away from him? Fortunately, another rescue stepped forward to take him. Pancake tested positive for Heartworm, as did the little male terrier. Both had a long road of recovery ahead of them. We inquired about spaying Pancake because it appeared she was going out of heat and she was kenneled with an intact male terrier….the clinic wouldn’t spay her. So fingers crossed she wouldn’t have a surprise litter on us, she went to the kennel. Pancake was fascinated and petrified at the kennel. So many happy, barking dogs. This wasn’t a shelter, but she wasn’t quite sure what type of environment she was in. It was busy and active. She needed a quiet place. She was put in a building with two cruelty cases and some puppies. That helped her integrate. She did not like the short term Akita enroute to Big East Akita Rescue. The only dog she showed a definitive dislike for. We finally felt Pancake was able to make a trip to the vet for some xrays. She had been maintained on the ‘slow kill’ treatment for heartworm, but we needed to know what was going on with her heart, lungs and liver, as well as eliminate the possibility of pregnancy. She was happy to come out of the kennel run and walk around but when she saw she was going to the van, she flattened herself to the ground and had to be carried to the vehicle. The vet visit was bittersweet, she wasn’t pregnant, but there was something going on in her thoracic xray. It was speculated that she had a mass. The only way to determine what her future held, was to have a sonogram, so another appointment was made. The sonogram was plain depressing, Pancake was in advanced stage of right side heart failure and her liver was severely misshapen and grossly enlarged by a heavy parasite infestation. The mass that had appeared on the xrays was her misshapen liver. Her prognosis was dire. She was not even a candidate for slow kill heartworm treatment. It has been a long time since we have received a dog with heartworm. It is so easily preventable, I find it difficult to grasp how anyone could have let such a beautiful and obviously affectionate dog die so miserably. Rest In Peace sweet Pancake.

Kimoko
Kimoko will be sorely missed by his family, Dwight, Gene, and Zoe Those we love don't go away They walk beside us every day Unseen, unheard, but always near Still loved, still missed and forever dear