My Best Friends

When I first started this page there were only a couple dogs listed. Now there are more than 40 dogs here. Every time I have to add to this page I spend several hours going through the pages of all the dogs listed here and crying my eyes out. Most of these dogs were ours, either personally or through the rescue. But some weren't, some were simply dogs of people we knew through our rescue work or were dogs in other rescues we have worked with over the years.

The one thing that makes all the difference for me is that most of these dogs died in the arms of someone who loved them. That, and some time in a loving rescue with plenty of good food, and proper care, may have been all we and our fellow rescuers could give them in the end. But I know it meant all the world to them, and to us.

And the best part of it all is that most of the dogs on this page died in the arms of their adopted families, having known not only our love, but more importantly, the love of their new families. What our adopters did for these dogs, including that last and most selfless act, means as much to us as anything in the world. To know that our babies knew what it meant to be part of a loving family and had people who loved them enough to help them pass with love and dignity when the time came, means more to us than we can express. To all our adopters whose dogs are listed here, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

And to the dogs listed here, be well my friends, we loved you all, and we will never forget you. We promise, in your memory, to do all we can to see that no dog dies alone and that all dogs know love and a full belly before they die.

Marc Sayer, Deaf Dane Rescue

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I STOOD BY YOUR BED LAST NIGHT

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea.
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wished I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew,
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand there side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

- Author unknown

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won. 

You will be sad, I understand;
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test. 

We've had so many happy years -
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come, so let me go. 

Take me where my needs they'll tend
And please stay with me 'til the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see. 

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved. 

Please do not grieve - it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years -
Don't let your heart hold back its tears. 

- Author unknown

Gandalf

Gandalf came to us from a wonderful rescuer named Sharon at Dane Savers in AZ. He came with some pretty significant orthopedic limitations. He suffered from a number of problems and really didn't have a good leg to stand on. He also had a cleft in his nose that ran from his forehead to the tip of his nose. It made him look very clownish, which often matched with his personality. He also had a tail injury that was left untreated and turned gangrenous, so about half his tail was amputated. It may be only half there, but when he waged it, the meaning was very clear. He was an incredibly happy boy who simply loved people, and seemed to get along with just about all creatures. He was very secure in his mind, even though he looked very unsteady on his feet. He handled being part of our pack and getting jostled around, just fine. He was never threatened by it and seemed to really liked being with the other dogs. Of all the dogs to pass through our rescue, Gandalf was the one that touched us all the most. His spirit and joy were beacons, especially in light of the difficult hand life had dealt him. When we first found out about him, many people questioned why we weren't just "putting that poor creature to sleep" but, as Sharon had told us, there was something in his eyes and his courageous heart that just refused to be overwhelmed by his handicaps. There was just no way he was a "poor creature" in his mind or his heart, and so there was no way we could treat him like one. He found a wonderful home, with an incredible woman, who loved him and cared for him so that he blossomed and became the creature he was always meant to be, even if his deformed body fell short. Today I got word from Sue, his owner, that he passed away this morning. If the world seems just a bit darker to you, It is, because a brilliant light has been extinguished by his passing.

God Bless you Sue,
and goodbye Gandalf, my sweet gallant soul. Sleep well.
10/16/08