My Dear Sweet Peaches

The first day we met you, we took you for a walk and were impressed by how smart and well behaved you were.  I guess we impressed you too because you sat by our car hoping for a ride home with us.  After six long months at the shelter, you had found “your people” and it was a match made in heaven for all of us.

It didn’t take long for you to learn where you were free to go, what was off limits and what was by invitation only. You always came when called and never jumped on the furniture. You loved the big fields with all the wonderful smells, and canoe rides on the pond with John. You had squirrels to chase and deer to verbally reprimand if they got too close.  This was the perfect life for a dog, but you had your chores to do too.

You supervised the lawn mowing and bird feeding.  In the winter you landscaped the yard with doggy angels.  When there was fresh snow you would take John and the snowblower for a walk.  You were  co-pilot on the daily mail run.  You were physical therapist when we needed exercise and emotional support when were sad.

If we took a long trip in the car you always insisted on going along to protect us.  Every rest area we stopped at was checked as if you were a bomb sniffing dog.  At the hotel you’d stroll through the lobby and ride the elevator like you owned the place, but once in the room you wouldn’t rest until you were sure every inch had been inspected.

Your job as home security guard was your biggest responsibility. You had your post by the front door window, and it was important that the curtains be kept open and no car was left in the driveway to obstruct your view.  You never failed to warn us if something was out of place; and it didn’t matter if it was a moose, a bear, or some stranger in a vehicle. I’m sure anyone who heard you was convinced they’d be ripped to shreds, but I knew your secret.  You were all bark and no bite.

You liked your creature comforts and you had plenty of them.  You were spoiled and deserved every bit of it.  I’d like to believe you didn’t want for anything and were happy with us.  I just wish you could have stayed longer.  We knew the time was coming, but we never expected it that day.  I hope you understood that there was nothing else left for us to do.  I let Nick, Alex and Jake know you were on your way.  I told them you’d be the pretty one with wavy black hair and butterscotch eyes.

We’ll be forever grateful for the nine years of unconditional love you gave us.  Run free and be happy with the “boys” until we see you all again.

9/13/20

Our tears rained down onto your beautiful, thick fur as we said goodbye to you - our great, big polar bear, Sawyer. We will always remember the day we met you – too scared to let us touch you, but it didn’t take long until you nuzzled our hands for more. So big, so gentle - yet so cautious – as you “tip-toed” up to us for some loving, or gently laid your head on the armrest for some snout scratches.  You enjoyed your days here with us on long walks and diving into the cool grasses. Playing ball, tossing it up into the air and your intense passion for snow – oh, how you loved the snow. Digging holes (more like craters) in the play yard, and stopping to look up at us with what we swear was a smile. Thank you for coming into our lives and making us laugh and smile.  At ten years old it was too soon to say goodbye – we are forever sorry that we were not able to do more to help you.  We hope we provided you with lots of smiles - just as you did for us, Sawyer. We love you to the moon and back – now and forever. Say hi to all the others, and we look forward to seeing you again big polar bear.

In March of 2015, after participating in the Rush to Rescue program, Jake and Elwood were adopted into a once-in-a-lifetime home. This bonded pair of senior, black labs had no idea just how lucky they were when they moved up north to their forever home on a lake. 

Stephen and Cec wrote, “…Our day quickly revolved around their morning walk.  They were happy hanging out in the house with us, and really appreciated heading out on the pontoon for an afternoon of jumping off the boat to chase their toys and get their fill of swimming… For the first two or so years with us, they were never out of sight of each other.  Sleeping in separate rooms was a major milestone in their becoming totally comfortable with us.  They were quite the pair.  

Jake was always a very happy puppy, forever running around with lots of energy and exuberance.  He loved chasing balls and other thrown toys, always trying to get them before Elwood.  Jake was also great buddies with Cooper the cat, and we'd find the two of them nose to nose quite often, and taking naps together in the their bed.

When we adopted Jake and Elwood, you gave us their medical history, and advised us that Jake had a heart murmur that could become problematic as he aged.  This heart issue became an issue last spring as Jake began suffering from congestive heart failure.  We took Jake to a canine cardiologist at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital and after an echo cardiogram, the Vet prescribed additional medications and Jake stabilized.  Jake did fairly well all summer, occasionally having some bad days, but could still go for walks and remain somewhat active.  During the winter, he gradually declined to a point where his bad days were happening more and more frequently.  We made the decision to say farewell to Jake in early March. 

Elwood remained his constant companion to the end …occasionally we find him looking around for Jake, or standing on the front steps watching the woods for Jake's return.  He (Elwood) still loves his daily walks and wandering around the property surveying his domain.”

We are so thankful for all of the love and support Stephen and Cec gave to Jake and continue to give to Elwood. We have been so blessed by so many wonderful stories over the years from families who have opened up their homes to animals in need. Their precious lives are all too short, but so full of love and joy – thank you from all of us here at Rescued Tails.  

Sweet Frankie participated in the Rush to Rescue prison foster dog program, and she was a huge hit with everyone she met. Frankie really hit the jackpot when she met Dawn, and in February of 2015, Frankie went to live the good life with Dawn and her new feline "siblings". Much too soon, in January of 2019, after a battle with kidney disease, Frankie passed away in the arms of her devoted mom. Dawn wrote that Frankie, "was a joy to have around. Loving, energetic, smart and so sweet. She is greatly missed by me and the cats. Thank you for the tireless work you do to save these animals and match them to homes where they will be loved."  We thank all of the special pet parents out there who open their hearts to animals in need. The most difficult part of caring for our compa nions is having to say  goodbye.  

Haley came into the Rescued Tails family after being returned to a local humane society multiple times. She suffered from a condition known as Separation Anxiety and would become so anxious when left alone that she would destroy things to the point of hurting herself. In June of 2015, we were able to place Haley in the Rush to Rescue prison, foster-dog program. She bonded with her handlers at the correctional facility, who were carefully selected offenders who cared for, trained and loved Haley very deeply. A few months ago Haley had been diagnosed with cancer, and we were able to help her and treat the disease. But the cancer spread and there was nothing more to do except end her suffering and help Haley cross over the Rainbow Bridge. Thanks to this very special dog, these incarcerated men, some for the very first time in their lives, gave and received something they had never known - unconditional love. The power of our animal friends never ceases to amaze us. Thank you sweet girl for all you gave us - you will be dearly missed.