In Loving Memory ...

This page is dedicated to all the pets that ended up in the shelters and on the streets that have died because of irresponsible people. The pets that were not rescued in time, pets that were rescued but couldn't be saved and the pets that never had a chance ...

Tank died due to neglect and ignorence of an irresponcible breeder and a bad owner. He had a condition that affected the growth of his bones, joints and muscles because of malnutrition and starvation. We did everything we could to provide him with proper food, vetting, comfort and love but in the end we had to give up. His condition got the better of him and caused his joints to lock up and prevent him from bending his legs. At just over a year old Tank had to be put to sleep because he could no longer get off the couch and move around. On February 18, 2006 we had to say our Good-Byes and help our little man pass over to the bridge. Rest in peace little man, you are never far from our thought and you are always in our hearts.

11 years ago Precious found her way into Andrea's life, not many would give a second glance at an old, frail, horribly cared for little dog but Andrea saw something in her that most would over look. Precious was something special, she could feel it and it didn't take long for Precious to capture her heart and become one of the most important creatures in her life. Precious was the princess of the house and all that entered knew right away where their place was, she was a fighter all the way to the end. There was never a question of the bond that was between them, Andrea loved her and Precious knew it.

On September 15, 2007 at age 17 1/2 Precious passed away peacefully in her mom's arms, the one place she knew she was loved. She is very missed and will never be forgotten.

I received a very sad e-mail today, it said that Rusty, aka Vin, has passed away unexpectedly.

Rusty was our first rescue to be adopted when we opened in Oct 2005 at 12 weeks. He was lucky enough to get a wonderful home with a great family. His family loved to hike and he was right there with his back pack loving every second of it. His family loved him dearly

My heart, thoughts and prayers are with the family. I know he will be at the bridge waiting for them full of life and happiness.

THE EULOGY
Look not where I was
For I am not there
My spirit is free
I am everywhere
In the air that you breathe
In the sounds that you here
Don't cry for me Mom
My spirit is near
I'll watch for you
From the other side
I'll be the one running
New friends by my side
Smile at my memory
Remember in your heart
This isn't the end
It's a brand new start
© Carol Kufner
Winwood KennelsGerman Shepherds

Every year we meet and have the opportunity to save the lives of hundreds of dog and cats and we do the best we can to do just that. Every once in a while we come across one that touches your heart and who's story you will never forget.

We were told about a little Shih Tzu that had been in the back of the shelter in holding because his owner had gone to prison. He sat back there for several days waiting for his owner to surrender him. Finally the day came and we went to look at him, he was a matted little fur ball with no life left in his eyes.

I took him home, gave him several baths, then took him over to our groomer to get his hair cut. After a long time of shaving, cutting and trimming we found the cutest little man under all that nasty hair. For the first time in a long time this little Shih Tzu was able to walk on all four feet and when he did he had a slow moving prance, almost as if he was moving to the sound of Jazz music. That night he got his name ... Miles Davis.

After several months of good food, grooming, several more baths and lots of special attention he was ready for his new home ...

Alone came a wonderful woman named Cathy, she sounded perfect for Miles' needs and understood that he had had a rough life and she needed him just as much as he needed her. She adopted him April 2007.

He fit wonderfully into their life and was very happy. A couple months later Miles started to have problems with his health and after seeing a couple vets they were still unsure what his problem was but we knew the outcome was not going to be good. On July 7, 2007 Miles woke and was unable to move his back end, after rushing him to the vet, the decision was made that it was time to end his suffering.

The news was devastating for us all and we miss him dearly. I am very sorry for his family's loss and only wish that they could have had Miles in their life for longer but I am happy to know that he was loved and enjoyed having a family who cared about him until the end.

Our Baby lost his Battle ... Please send your prayers ...

Today our little Joey lost his fight against Parvo. This poor little guy ended up in the shelter for known reasons, dumped and forgotten about by the people that were supposed to love and care for him and then picked up by the Animal Control. He was kept comfortable for his stay there, in hopes that another loving family would come along and give him a second chance at life ... but no one came. Finally on his last day Andrea from Dirty Paws Rescue came in and took him home, she told him he was heading off to a rescue and would certainly find a wonderful new home but before he could leave for the rescue he was found to be sick. Even through all his Foster Mom's efforts and all the wonderful people that stepped forward to help with prayers and donations Joey still became yet another victim of irresponsible ownership, un ethical breeding and another victim of an overpopulated shelter. Joey passed away in the arms of someone that truly loved him and possibly for the first time in his life he knew what it was like to be warm, loved and care about. This is dedicated in his memory, he may be gone but he will never be forgotten and will spend his time at Rainbow bridge waiting for the one person that he knew really cared.

Words from Joey ...

Yesterday I was cold, confused and scared. Sitting in a loud kennel with horrible smells of fear and loneliness.

Today I was loved for the first time, held in the warmth of your arms and listening to the sweet sound of your whispering voice in my ear telling me stories of the wonderful things to come.

I know I am sick and probably not going to make it but you make me want to fight and stay as long as I can. I want to live and be loved and experience the wonderful things you talk about in your stories.

Tomorrow I will wait at Rainbow Bridge for the one person that cared enough to hold me close in my time of need. Whisper sweet sounds into my ear as I lay almost lifeless in your arms. I will wait with all the others you have tried to save and the ones that you did save but only stayed a short time. I will wait for you, my foster mom.

I wanted people to know Mason, even though none of us will ever get to meet him or pet him or tell him how beautiful he is. This is the least I can do for him. I try not to let things get to me and to be strong and tight lipped, but even though I never got the chance to meet Mason, his story is forever in my heart.

Tomorrow morning Mason will be euthanized at the shelter he is at because he is terribly sick with heartworms to the point that he can no longer breathe. You ask why a dog like this is in a shelter? Well, his owners know he is there, he was picked up as a stray, but they don't want to come and get him. Mason is a beautiful Afghan Hound on the inside. On the outside Mason is tired, so thin that his pelvic bones are visible to the human eye and painful to feel to the human touch. Mason most likely spent his last days, months, years on a chain from the way it looked as even his legs have no muscle tone and he can hardly walk. This beautiful boy, like many, didn't deserve to die in a shelter, alone, and without anyone who loved him. So tonight, we're all going to love Mason, remember Mason, and hope and pray that someday we folks don't ever have a need to rescue, or see such horrible things. Two wonderful people tried to help Mason and were told by a vet there wasn't anything more that could be done for him. However, I am consoled in knowing that Mason felt love from these 2 women, and probably more than he's had for most of his painful life. We all cried at this news, as we had plans for Mason to be loved and fostered and save him from this life. We can only imagine the hell that this boy lived thru. How he got to be in such a horrible home, and ended up in this condition, only to die in a shelter is beyond me. Afghan Hounds are not prevelant in shelters.... ...I only wish that whomever sold him into this terrible life somehow pays for it in their lifetime, and I hope the people who treated him so poorly suffer in some way as well. That is the least that should happen to them.

I've seen alot in my time, but his story really got to me and made me cry at my computer harder than I have in a very long time. I know he isn't the only dog to end up like this, but the only thing I can do for him now, is to share his story so he is not forgotten, and not a statistic. So here is a tribute to Mason and all the other shelter dogs whose lives end so undignified in shelters everywhere. No matter what the outcome of any dog we meet when we're at the shelter hoping to save a handful, I have to think that in someway we all made a difference just by giving our time and love to help.
Rest in peace, Sweet Mason. You were loved by all of us.

Tender Hearts

I greet each day inside my cage
And wait for God to write my page.
I wonder if you'll come today,
And let me feel the light of day?

My whole life has been dark with pain.
And those who caused it -- what did they gain?
They stole my trust, my livelihood,
And all because they simply could.

I yearn to run though scented fields
Without a cage and lock to yield.
To chase a squirrel that can't be caught;
To earn a love that can't be bought.

But the darkest days have a light
In the quiet mornings that follow night.
You come to visit every day
Without a motive, without pay.

You carried me when I was weak,
Brought trust I was too pained to seek.
You healed my wounds that took their toll --
You rescued my slowly dying soul.

And now I listen for your voice,
Knowing that you're here by choice.
You didn't know me at the start,
And yet I'm planted in your heart.

I'm learning to accept your praise
And not avert my fearful gaze.
Forgive me if I cower still;
My life has been against my will.

I feel that you are growing tired
Within this fight that you've been mired.
If you can keep your doubts at bay,
It would mean the world if you could stay.

I can't predict how this will end,
But I know this of you, my friend --
You selflessly all played your part;
You saved me with your tender heart!

~ Dee Clair