This was one of our girls, Belle.  She was a rescued GSD mix.  She passed away very unexpectedly but she has left forever paw prints on our heart. She was really Steve's dog, he was the one she loved and trusted like none of the rest of us.

Frankie was our Queensland for 13 years and a very loyal and devoted family member.  Frankie was very loved and will be terribly missed.  Not a day goes by that I do not think of him.

A Dog's Purpose -  (from a 4 year old)

 Being a veterinarian, I was called to examine a ten year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.

 The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa and their little boy, Shane, were All very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

 I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia

procedure for the old dog in their home.

 As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.

They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

 The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last

time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. 

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

 We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had

been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

 Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

 He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?

Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have  to stay as long."

 Live simply. 

Love generously. 

Care deeply. 

Speak kindly.

Leave the rest

to God.

This was our Appaloosa/Quarter horse, Heritage Fanticy..."Poe". Poe was owned by Karen since he was 6, he was her barrel horse and gave all he had for her, she won a saddle with him and the next year retired him from barrel racing. Once he was retired she taught him to drive, everyone told her to forget it because he was too hot, but she worked and worked with him. He didn't win in driving that first year but the next year he won everything. He was in parades and even fulfilled a life long dream by pulling Karen in a Surrey on her wedding day.  Poe came to live with me the last four years, training me to drive and because of his patience I learned how much I enjoyed driving, which then actually brought me to minis.

A Tribute to “Poe”

Heritage Fanticy

February 9, 1982 – September 17, 2006

 You have a special place Dear Lord,
That I know you’ll always keep
A special place reserved for horses
when they are quietly laid to sleep
with large and winding pastures
and green grass for grazing free
with maybe a little babbling creek
that chatters through the trees
with wide green fields and flowers
for those who never knew
about running freely under
your sky of perfect blue.
Lord, I know you keep this special place
and so to you I Pray,
for one special Appaloosa horse
who quietly came to you today
He was full of strength and beauty
and so very, very, smart
That elegant movement he once possessed
will ever be in his heart,
He is dearly missed my Lord,
he was a Very Good Friend of mine
He went to join his ancestors
To your land that is Devine
So, speak to POE softly please
and give him a warm hello.
He’s a special gift returned to you dear Lord
from Karen and Kathi who loved him so.