 Pet Pals For Life PO Box 173 Sioux Falls, SD 57101 |
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PET PALS FOR LIFE |
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Pets Adopted From Pet Pals For Life Will Be Spayed Or Neutered
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SWEET OLIVER We have been notified of another special little pet that has crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. You may remember Oliver, one of the special little dogs that Pet Pals For Life was able to help in 2005. THIS IS AN UPDATE OF SWEET OLIVER’S STORY
“I was taken to the local shelter at age 14. It was pretty obvious that I had a lot of medical issues. The shelter knew they would most likely not be able to find me a new home, so they called Pet Pals For Life to see if they ‘wanted to take me on’. A vet assessment was done and my tangled coat was groomed, revealing my soulful, beautiful eyes. That must have done the trick because the next thing I was ‘hanging out’ at Peggy’s Pet Palace where I had great fun playing with Chase and Meiko."
"After a few days, however, it was obvious that I needed more medical care since the tests revealed I had Cushing’s disease along with many other infections. So I became a ‘live-in resident’ at the vet clinic while Pet Pals continued to look for someone to give me a new home. While at the clinic I was definitely ‘Mr. Personality’ with all of the visitors and clients.” “It isn’t easy finding new owners for an older pup with so many medical issues, but one magical day, it happened. John and Chris had seen me on the Pet Pals For Life website and emailed that they wanted to come meet me because I reminded them so much of Dodger, the senior pup they had lost at age 16 who also had Cushing’s. I was very excited just knowing that someone still wanted an old pup like me!! John and Chris drove several hours to meet me. They immediately fell in love with my charm and sweet disposition. So the decision was made that I would go live with them."
The Pet Pals volunteers and vet staff watched me drive off with my new owners. Everyone was a bit teary eyed.”
“My new mom operates a beauty salon in her home – so it wasn’t long before I became the official greeter for her customers. Then it wasn’t long before I was sleeping and snuggling on their bed, on the sofa and in the chair. It was so good to be loved and cared for after my long ordeal.”
“In August 2007, Pet Pals received an email that after almost two years of being loved and cared for by Chris and John, I have crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. I was so lucky to have found someone to love me in my senior years, and I would like to share the email with you from my earth dog-parents.”
Hello Everyone - “I am contacting you to share the sad news that after almost 2 happy love-filled years with us, Oliver crossed the Rainbow Bridge on August 15th. We miss him terribly, but are grateful that he did not suffer and become a shell of himself as sometimes happens when there are complicated medical problems. Words cannot explain the joy he brought us and we will never forget his demanding little bark when he wanted to be fed or to snuggle on the couch. He was definitely a "Mommy's Dog" and wanted to stay with Chris in the shop every day. She finally gave up on trying to make him stay in the house and he was by her side all the time. When it was time to go to bed, he would curl up on his pillow and snore softly. He was the mostcuddly, loving little guy you could ever meet and even John would let him curl up on him while he lay on the couch. He loved to travel and was very good when we went to Chris's parents, almost a 4 hour drive!! His little bark would let us know he needed a potty break and he would hurry back to the suburban and wait for Chris to pick him up and put him on his pet bed. There are so many good memories we could never share them all, but we are thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of his life and we have shed many tears at his passing. Even Ali, our black lab misses him, as they used to play together all the time - Ali racing around and Ollie playing "center court" barking at her as she went by. We cannot express our gratitude enough at your efforts in making sure he had a home and all the vetting and TLC he received while he was with you."
"We are attaching a few pics. Chris's favorite was the last one taken while he was alive, the one where he is "wearing" Sarah's flip-flops. For someone so small and for no longer than he was with us, he has touched our hearts forever and will always be a part of our family.”
“With sincere thanks for all you did for us and continue to do for other deserving pets.”
Chris and John Fathke IN MEMORY - SWEET OLIVER
Pet Pals For Life ~ P.O. Box
173 ~ Sioux Falls SD 57101
REMEMBERING DAISY Soon after organizing 5+ years ago, Pet Pals For Life became involved with a little dog that forever touched our hearts and formed much of our devotion to rescuing pets in need. The call for assistance came from a veterinarian who had taken a nearly blind, deaf little dog into his care, hoping to help with her severe eye infection. There was nothing that could be done to help her condition, and the vet asked if we could possibly find a loving home where she could be cared for properly during the remainder of her life. Her name was Daisy, age estimated to be around 14 years. We went to meet her at the vet's office and knew immediately that we had to help. This bedraggled little dog looked so sad, having come from a very neglected situation.
The networking began to help Daisy. One day, a call came that would forever change Daisy's life. Marilyn came to meet Daisy, and when she did, she knew that she had to somehow change her life and give her a home. This is where our story really begins. Ann groomed Daisy and offered to foster her until Marilyn would be able to take her. What a difference the next time we saw Daisy and her happy smile!
Marilyn took Daisy home several weeks later, and since that time, Daisy has had a wonderful life. She has spent the last 4 years letting her ‘nose’ guide her through the yard, lounging on a vacation to the Black Hills, ‘hanging’ out with Wanda and Sandi, two other rescue family pets, and enjoying the life of a pampered, spoiled little dog. On April 19, 2007, Daisy quietly slipped away and crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. She left behind years of wonderful memories with her caregiver and with our volunteers. Following is Marilyn’s story in her own words about ‘Letting Daisy Go”. ~~~~~ Marilyn’s Tribute to Daisy~~~~~ Letting Her Go “I got her by chance. I had no business looking for another mouth to feed. I had just gotten divorced; I worked in a small town and barely had the money to pay my bills.” “I saw her one day on the rescue web-site. Such a pitiful looking thing. Her hair was long and stringy; the listing said she was blind and deaf. I closed the page and went on to other things. It was lonely in my apartment. I used to have three girls, but they were lost to me. I came home from work to an empty room. Nothing to greet me at the door. Just silence.” “Weeks later, I looked on the site again and she was still there. In the back of my mind I knew I was making a big mistake. I couldn’t have her where I lived. Why did I even think about calling? Her picture drew me to her and I had to go to see her, just to have a look at this sad girl. That is what I told myself – just a look and then I could put her out of my mind. I got there and held her. Her warm nose snuggled into my neck and I was smitten. I gathered up her meager things and took her with me. I snuck her up to my apartment and hoped for the best for us. Maybe my luck would change and I could keep her.” “The only luck I had was bad luck. NO was the answer. In my mind I knew I had to find a way to have her with me. I had a plan, and for once, my luck changed. She and I moved to a new home, a new beginning for both of us. Such a warm loving girl she was. She had her hair cut and was a totally different girl. Her nose sniffed out all the new smells. She had a smile on her face that would not end. She was no longer alone and abandoned and neither was I.” “Four years passed. I knew she was very old when I picked her up. Her walk was a bit slower; she slept almost all the time. She was slowly slipping away from me. I took her to the doctor – my luck was once again bad. Her organs were shutting down. Just a matter of time, he told me. Maybe hours, maybe days. I took her home and held her in my arms. I cried and cried for this poor little lost soul I had tried my best to give a good life to. I had been cast aside and so had she. We both deserved someone to love and love back. She did that for me and I hope I did that for her.” “The final night came. I wrapped her and held her in my arms as we went on that final trip to the Doctor. I knew it was for the best – I did not want her to suffer any longer. I held her and stroked her head as the Doctor gave the injection. She was still a survivor; she hung on longer than I thought. Slowly she slipped into her last slumber. She was at peace finally. She is gone from my presence but she will never leave my heart. Memories of her can never be taken away from me, no matter what happens. Good memories and bad, they will be with me always. I will place her where I can think of her every day. I will surround her with flowers that will always remind me of her – daisies for my little Daisy.”
Postscript: As webmaster and sometimes photographer, I took
the first picture of Daisy at the vet’s office. I can still feel
her anxious little body as I held her close to my chest. She needed
so much. I remember the day she first went home with Marilyn and am
so very happy that we were able to find such a wonderful caregiver.
Marilyn has sent a donation to Pet Pals For Life in Daisy’s memory.
It is we who thank you, Marilyn, for what you did for this brave,
beautiful little dog.
Webmaster: Sharon Rae www.heartofthevine.com
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADOPT US?
EDDIE - "I am a handsome Golden boy"
PYPER - "My story is featured on the homepage. I'm now ready for adoption"
VALENTINE - "I have beautiful green eyes and a lovely coat"
PEPPER -"I have come such a long way"
BLACKIE - "I am a gentle Newfie giant"
KODIAK - "I am a spectacular Malamute Husky"
COWBOY AND RODEO - "We are nice orange tabbies looking for a new home" TO ADOPT ANY OF OUR PETS, CLICK ON THE ADOPT A PET, THEN ADOPT A DOG OR ADOPT A CAT PAGE ~~~~~~~~
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PET PALS FOR LIFE EXISTS To speak for pets unable to speak for themselves To reduce the unwanted pet population by spaying & neutering To provide a link for homneless, unwanted and rescued pets so they are rehomed into loving homes |
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Sioux Falls
Community Foundation |