We rescued him August 3rd, 2016. He was sitting atop the hay bales - so thin and covered in fleas - too weak to even wipe the crawling parasites from his face. At first he ran away into the brush, but after some coaxing he reappeared. This beautiful, cream-colored feline was too scared to be picked up, but he let us pet him, and then he would follow us. And that is how we rescued him - pet him, call him, walk a few feet away and he would follow.

It was on that warm August day that he walked into our hearts forever. We will never forget it.

He had the funniest little meow that sounded like a tiny bark and that is how he got his name - Barkley. During his first vet visit this sweet, senior cat was diagnosed with kidney disease. Later it was discovered that Barkley also had heart disease - not a good combination. We provided much needed supportive care, and no one could have asked for a better patient. One vet tech described Barkley as, "very forgiving" - so true.
Recently the daily sub-Q fluids, multitude of medications and special diets no longer worked very well.
Barkley's illness started to win the battle, and he let us know. So today, as we petted and told him how much we loved him, we helped Barkley cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you for finding us, Barkley.
Thank you for greeting us at the door with motor purring.
Thank you for climbing proudly up onto your bed for morning pets.
Thank you for playing and making us laugh.
Thank you for being a ray of sunshine in our lives - actually more like a big ball of sun.
Thank you for letting us care for you and love you oh, so much.

We will now look up into the night sky, and see all the bright shining stars - and we will know that the brightest one is you.
 

We covered our precious Packer with a blanket of tears as he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
At fifteen years old, illness ravaged your weary body.
What an athlete, what a beauty, what a snuggler – oh, Packer we miss you so.
You were one of the first misunderstood dogs to come to the sanctuary. You were the last of the original six to pass away.
Your favorites - snoozing in the sunshine and running in the rain! Somersaults in the grass and jumping. All-time favorite? Couch time! What a joy, seeing you jump up to claim your spot.
Such a gentleman taking your treats.
Car rides – perfect little traveler.
So thankful that you found refuge in our hearts and home. Rescued Tails was created for you. You gave our lives meaning, and you taught us so much.
Save us a spot on the couch old man, we can’t wait to see you and the others again someday – you have all stolen our hearts.
 

About six years ago a man drove up and said that he was going to shoot a small, brown tabby cat he had found if we didn’t take her.  Of course we took the frightened feline, and that day Clover became part of the Rescued Tails family.
Throughout the years that sweet Clover lived with us she beat all the odds.  She came to us FIV positive and deaf, but with some loving care she thrived. Clover enjoyed many days sunning herself in the outside dog pen – she actually seemed to enjoy her canine companions. Other days Clover could be found purring away in the laps of people reading. About two years ago Clover was diagnosed with cancer, and given 6 months to live, but Clover decided she wanted to keep on living and that is just what she did. Clover actually got better after her tumors were removed, and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Then, a few months ago, Clover was diagnosed in the beginning stages of kidney disease. But, once again, that didn’t stop Clover from enjoying life here. Clover marched on and enjoyed her days playing and taking cat naps in the sunshine.  Last month Clover started sleeping more and had a decrease in appetite. On a recent trip to the vet it was discovered that Clover had cancer in her lungs, stomach and liver. This time Clover was not able to beat the odds, and she came home to sleep in her favorite bed under the sunny window and receive hospice care from the family that loved her. Yesterday we made the gut-wrenching decision to help her peacefully cross over the Rainbow Bridge. We miss our sweet  Clover and the sound of her little motor that would start purring each time we walked into the room. Clover was truly one of the sweetest cats we have ever met.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” – Winnie The Pooh
 

~On June 3, 2016, my beloved Nala crossed over the rainbow bridge.  Memories of her will be cherished by all who knew this one of a kind, 80 pound, Rottweiler mix.  Nala touched, impacted, and created unforgettable bonds with four generations of our family with her calm, loyal, and human-like demeanor.  Lady, Sophia, Simba, and Rafiki are going to miss swimming in the pool, running around the yard, and competing for grandpa’s affection with you.  I will miss the gleam in your eyes and Kool-Aid smile whenever you heard the phrase, “do you wanna go for a…….”.   Your Scooby-Doo antics will never be forgotten.  Thank you for being a part of my life and my heart.  You were and will always be the best dog ever, my baby.  Nala, I will see you somewhere over the rainbow.             

Rescued from the streets, after eight years in a home
Sick, obese, so sad – but oh, so sweet!
You ran down the “road to recovery” so quickly
– all were amazed!

Trotting over to greet us each time we
opened the door.
 BIG meows, to hurry us along, at “feeding time”
such soft, silken fur, perfect to brush, lots of purrrring
– even belly rubs!

You gave the best hugs, and loved our “cuddle time”
Snoozing in the sunshine

Perfect patient …but too many times a patient.
We tried so hard to save you,
and then cried so hard at the end.

Go climb to the top of your kitty tree, sweet Calista,
until you run to us again.
Forever in our hearts