Lizzie
Our time with Lizzie was way too short, but was certainly precious. She had worked her way into our hearts even before we got her home. The one thing that best described Lizzie was "purr machine" and "bundle of joy" and "sweet as can be." As short as our time was with Lizzie, she could not have done a better job of winning us over if we'd had her for years. I told Janet that I think the reason God brought Lizzie to us was because He knew she'd need someone to love her and take care of her and be with her through this difficult time. As hard as it was to say good bye to her, she knew she was loved. We'll miss her.

Olympia
Olympia August 11, 2011-November 5, 2011 Olympia, you were too sweet for this cruel world and your body too weak to fight. I am so sorry that we couldn't save you. It will be a huge regret in my heart, until we are together again at the "Bridge". I know that Porthos has found you and that you frolick together, and that helps to ease the pain of your loss a small bit..... until we meet again, my sweet "scruffy face". "Beyond The Rainbow" As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played, I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade. I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity. I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide! And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be! My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do. I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night. 'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold. For although we may not be together in the way we used to be, We are still connected by a cord no eye can see. So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart. By Cate Guyan © 1995

Layla
Friend, please dont mourn for me Im still here, though you dont see. Im right by your side each night and day and within your heart I long to stay. My body is gone but Im always near. Im everything you feel, see or hear. My spirit is free, but Ill never depart as long as you keep me alive in your heart. Ill never wander out of your sight- Im the brightest star on a summers night. Ill never be beyond your reach- Im the warm moist sand when youre at the beach. Im the colorful leaves when fall comes around and the pure white snow that blankets the ground. Im the beautiful flowers of which youre so fond, The clear cool water in a quiet pond. Im the first bright blossom youll see in the spring, The first warn raindrop that April will bring. Im the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine, and youll see that the face in the moon shine is mine. When you start thinking theres no one to love you, you can talk to through the Lord up above you. Ill whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees, and youll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze. Im the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep. Im the smile you see on a babys face. Just look for me friend, I'm every place!

Missy's Puppies
After a long hard summer with low adoption rates, fall came and T.A.R.A. finally had room to go and save 3 dogs from a high kill shelter. As I walked through and looked with another volunteer, we went slowly up and down each aisle. Looking at all the sad faces, so deserving of a chance at life in a home with a loving family. The first time through, even we didn't see Missy. She was particularly quiet and with her dark coloring, didn't show well in a shelter environment. As I passed by her cage near the end of our visit, she quietly got up and came to see what was going on. I knew she isn't a dog that anyone would immediately notice and pick to take home, which made me all the more eager to see if we could save her. We got her out of her cage to test her with the other dogs we had already chosen. She was a gem, not bothered by anyone or anything. As we made the decision that she would be one of the lucky ones to get a second chance at life, we noticed that she was pregnant. Little did we know she was just two days away from delivering 5 beautiful puppies. She gave birth to Matilda and Macademia (two girls who looked just like their momma), Macbeth (a little black girl with a fat, wrinkly nose and a white patch on her back), Melinda (who looked like a Rottie mix with black and tan markings) and Maddox (the lone boy, the biggest in the litter, with brindle coloring). She was the perfect mommy, never leaving her babies. She was so attentive that she wouldn't even eat or drink and I had to sit and hold her bowls right in front of her so she could eat while she nursed and cleaned her babies. All 5 were fat, happy, and adorable! The day she delivered her puppies, she started showing symptoms of upper respiratory infection, a common disease in the shelter. 10 days later, her puppies started getting sick. They were so young and fragile and completely lacking immunity, the illness hit them hard and most didn't survive more than 12 hours after the onset of symptoms. Two were rushed to the vet and kept on oxygen and a heating pad, injectable antibiotics were started, and the rest were moved to a foster home where they could be cared for around the clock. Despite our best efforts the last two passed away the day of their 2 week birthday. It seems ironic to me that just as their eyes were opening and they were catching their first glimpses of the world around them, the world was just too much for them and they crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Though these five little ones were only with us a short time, they will be forever missed and never forgotten!

Porthos
Porthos (May 2010- September 10, 2010) Porthos came into my life on a sweltering hot day in July when Tracey and I went to Halfway Home to save some of the urgent dogs from living in stifling heat caused by a power outage that day and maybe possible euthanization because of the perpetual overcrowded conditions the shelter always endures. I walked up on a kennel filled with three totally different looking brothers that had been named after the Three Muskateers and were just a little shy of 12 weeks old. What a band of ruffians they were. Tracey kept inticing me....."Look how sweet they are, Sherrie....how cute.....come on, you know you want to save them." How many times I have heard those words from my various trouble-maker rescue girlfriends! Against my better judgement (at that fleeting moment), I caved in and agreed they would be my next group of fur kids. How lucky and blessed I was for not listening to the voice inside me that doubted these babies would be easy to adopt out, because of the chow mix designation HH had hit them with. Little did I know..... Long story, short....Athos was adopted within 10 days; Aramis within 6 weeks. They were all lovely in their own right, had their own distinctive personalities that glowed even with them all suffering through kennel cough. But something about Porthos that just radiated brightly and drew me in. He was placid and loving and simple....simply beautiful, really. I instantly knew he would be the one that it would hurt the most to see adopted out to a wonderful person or family through our group. That, unfortunately, though, was not to be. My Porthos not only suffered through kennel cough, but then battled pneumonia and finally succumbed to a secondary condition of some form of Connective Tissue Disorder, despite all of TARA's best efforts to seek treatment and healing for him. He truly was too good, too pure for this sometimes hard, cruel and cold world. But I was given the glorious gift of caring for and loving this exquisite boy for 7 long, hard, yet, beautiful weeks. He will forever be in my heart, and will be the force that drives me to continue this sometimes difficult, yet life-saving rescue work for the voiceless, the helpless, the ones that need us so. So sleep well, my beautiful Prince.....I will forever remember you and cannot wait until we are reunited forever. What a fabulous day that will be....until then, my Port boy..... Fly Fly, fly little one Fly beyond imagining The softest cloud, the whitest dove Upon the wind of Heaven's love Past the planets and the stars Leave this lonely world of ours Escape the sorrow and the pain And fly again Fly, fly precious one Your endless journey has begun Take your gentle happiness Far too beautiful for this Cross over to the other shore There is peace forevermore Hold this mem'ry bittersweet Until we meet Fly, fly do not fear Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear Your heart is pure, your soul is free Be on your way, don't wait for me Above the universe you'll climb On beyond the hands of time The moon will rise, the sun will set But I won't forget Fly, fly little wing Fly where only angels sing Fly away, the time is right Go now, find the light... ~ lyrics to Fly, performed by Celine Dion ~