Archives: Memorials

On June 3rd, Heaven gained a beautiful, happy princess angel named Charley.  Chuck, as she was known to her family, was born on February 10, 2015 and came to her forever family on April 2, 2015.  Through illness, injury and heartbreak, Charley was a faithful companion who showed nothing but unconditional love…even when she was the cause of those injuries.

How do you pay tribute to a dog who was more than a pet and had so many quirks? Words don’t seem to be enough to describe how truly wonderful and unique she was and how much she was loved.  This tribute doesn’t seem like enough for a dog who had such an impact on so many but her family could write forever about her.

Her favorite part of every day was when her people would come home from work.  Everyone got their own special greeting but each began with an excited bark, a thumping tail and tippy tappy feet.  4:50 pm was her favorite time of day because it was when she got to go outside and run her yard while chasing down her favorite green squeaky stick.  She knew when it was time and would run around barking and jumping at the door until she was released to run like a flash; not a single inch of her yard was left uninspected.  She was a true professional when it came to tracking and catching her stick.

Char-Char was spoiled, always getting what she wanted.  She loved sitting on laps, getting her butt scratched, going for car rides, begging for food, playing with hair ties and being around her people.  Since she was a puppy, every night ended with her sitting on mom’s lap for hugs and then demanding to go into her “house” for bedtime.  Her winning smile and good looks landed her a gig as a brand ambassador for dog bandanas and she was an Instagram star.

Charley is survived by her “mom” Jill, her grandpawrents Fran “Wheels” and Smitty “Doofus”, Uncle Alex and Aunt Taylor, Great Aunt Cookie and Great Uncle Jay, her fur cousin Riley and many furry friends and their families all over the globe.

While Charley was taken from us far too soon and we will miss her barking, her nails on the floor, being canopenered, scratching her butt, rubbing her velvety ears, her hair over everything, her smile and cuddles, we are comforted by the knowledge that every day of her life was the best day ever and we treated her like a princess.  We will remember all of the adventures we had together from broken femurs to Independence Day parades to Christmas to weddings to just every single day we had with her.  We also find solace in knowing that Charley never met a stranger and left huge pawprints on the hearts of everyone she met.
 

Brody was born on March 20th, 2007.  A black and white tuxedo Maine Coon.

He was a best friend, who also happened to be a cat.  He was very intelligent and emotionally aware of everyone he considered in his pack.  He would often listen to commands, like “C’mon Brody, let’s go in here” or “Hey, you wanna go outside?”.

He loved talking to you, he was a very communicative.  If he needed something, he always let you know.  He had a nightly routine, and a morning routine.  Both were generally a ritual dance to keep you from leaving the house, and to give him food before you went to sleep. 

He loved unconditionally, so much that if you left the house, he would start howling for you to come home or when he couldn’t find you in the house.  He always just wanted to be around you and hang out with the big cats (humans).  

We had some tough moments, but 99% of our journey together was good times and unconditional love.

Most cats have 9 lives, Brody had 11.  When he was 2 years old he was diagnosed with hypo-cardiomyopathy.  Where the two lower chambers of his heart were bigger than they were supposed to be.  The vet gave him a maximum of 2 years to live.  He was very bad at math…so it was not until 7 years later that he developed Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).  When they diagnosed CHF, they gave anywhere from 6 months to 2 years max.  He again, bad at math and very stubborn, ignored the doctors and was living well 4 years later.  He’s had other procedures in between to help extend his life and he’s had several ups and downs, but he always bounced back.

Sadly, on March 28th, 2020.  Brody went in for a procedure called a “chest tap”.   He had water building up around his lungs and needed to be drained so there wouldn’t be pressure on his lungs and other organs.  There was a complication during the procedure and he went into cardiac arrest.

He leaves behind his beloved family, Harry Caskey, Brian Coulter and his siblings Quimby and Jasper.

We miss him so much, and life is not the same without him.  His impact leaves a lifelong mark on all our hearts.

Piper Berg – March 2007 to May 2020
Piper LuAnn — you were a little dog with a huge personality.  You brought us so much happiness with your enthusiasm and excitement.  Spunky is an understatement, but that is what made you so special. Your sudden passing has left us with a heartbreaking emptiness.  There are so many things that we will miss about you, Roo.  Your sweet loving “blinkey” eyes and your bouncing around with a toy in your mouth when we would come home.  Rudy, we wish we could see you one more time so we could put our arms around you or for Dad to pick you up and hold you in his arm on the couch.  We hope that wherever you are that you are happy and remember how much we love you.  May God bless your soul and I pray that we will someday see each other again.  We will love you and miss you forever, Little Pants. 
 

Diego's fur brother Beau, who passed before him came to take him to the Rainbow Bridge on May 6, 2020. Diego was a feisty, protective, sun loving family member for 11 years. He leaves behind his many humans, and his 3 younger brothers Buster, Shorty and Cooper-his best friend of the 3 that is missing him very much. Until we meet again-Beau will take care of you now, and you can relax in the everlasting sunlight. Love all of us.

Chase Miles
Cocker Spaniel
April 27, 2007 – May 3, 2020

Chase brought much love and laughter into our home for 13 wonderful years.  He was a great companion, playful, loving and true.  He loved going for car rides, playing ball, and enjoyed relaxing outside on a warm sunny day. 
My heart will always wear the paw prints left by him.
Chase will be greatly missed and his time spent with us will never be forgotten.
 

Willow was born on July 23, 2018 in Alabama, where she and her 8 litter mates were fostered before being sent to Petland Norwin. We met on Halloween, October 31, 2018. I was looking for an emotional support animal and Willow fit that mold from the start. Most puppies would be wild, nipping at your hands, but she curled right up in my lap and both my boyfriend and I knew she was coming home with us. Following her adoption, she spent the next several months living with her mom and dad in an apartment in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. While living there she had many toys and a group of puppy friends she would play with at Twin Lakes dog park. In August, 2019 I took a plane to LA and my boyfriend drove there with Willow. There she got to see the beach for the very first time and fell in love. Her favorite thing to do was dig and roll in the sand and later she started learning how to swim. From there, we made our way up to Blaine, Washington. We were staying in a campground at first and enjoyed looking for rocks and shellfish at Birch Bay. I started working at an animal rescue, Embrace a Discarded Animal Society and later started living on the property. There Willow had plenty of room to run through the grass and trees. We left due to personal reasons and started 2020 back In California. We stayed in a converted tiny bus in China town for 1 month, allowing Willow to visit both of LA's dog beaches and just about every dog park. We then headed further south to San Diego and were living in our car. We spent everyday at either Ocean Beach dog beach or Grape Street dog park. Although the living situation was far from perfect, Willow had the ability to make anywhere feel like home. I just so happen to come across information about Willow trees on 2 different hikes with her, Mission Trails Regional Park and Mission Valley YMCA trail. Both in San Diego County but in no way related. They note the strength and flexibility of Willow trees and their ability to provide homes for small animals. The internet says this, “The willow tree gives us hope, a sense of belonging, and safety. Furthermore, the ability to let go of the pain and suffering to grow new, strong and bold. The image of the willow tree is our path to stability, hope, and healing.” I couldn't describe my Willow any better than this, she truly saved and forever changed my life. After discovering she was sick mid March, we drove back to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to stay with family in order to make her more comfortable. She was diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma with para neoplastic hypercalcemia. She was given 1 dose of Elspar and was planning on starting chemo, LOPP protocol 1 week later. On the morning of April 29, 2020, Willow was very lethargic and wouldn't get up to come outside until she saw me through the front door and managed to gain the strength. She made it out to pee but was unable to get back up the porch step. I carried her in and we laid on the couch together. An hour later she took her last breaths right there with her mom, dad, and best bud Riley by her side. We kept telling her to stay strong and she did till the very end. I could not be more proud of her. I currently write this as I make my way back across the country to an unknown location, without my best friend and biggest support. It has been a rough few weeks, searching for a reason why this had to happen. The only thing I can come up with and am told is that it is making me a stronger person. Willow not only blessed me with the strength to cope with the death of my mother and my pap but also her own. She taught me how to let go and keep going. She may not have had a long life but I believe it was a great one, she was happy. Her urn will stay at my dads house for now, as she has had her adventure and it is now time for her to rest. Even in your absence, there is hope my friend. On that Rainbow Bridge we'll meet to love and play again. I look forward to our adventures together in Heaven but for now they must be separate. Have fun running through the meadows and hills with your new friends. Thank you for everything, I love you always, my precious Willow

Nellie Belle Sarp was born March 6, 2006. We took her from a very sad place living in a dog house with her sweet mother who was also named Nellie. It was a cold rainy April day and she was only 6 weeks old. There was an immediate attachment between her and our beloved Maisie who passed a little over 2 years ago. Nellie was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in August 2019 and lived twice as long as the vet thought she would.  Nellie grew up with our children and was simply a part of the pack. She was a relatively quiet dog, sweet, gentle, and loving. She was a border collie mix and her herding instincts kicked in one summer when we had 2 mallard ducklings. It was hilarious to watch her every day working tenaciously to herd these ducklings while not injuring them in any way. This is just one of the many sweet memories we have of our Nellie. We will miss her little face begging at the dinner table, her excitement when we would arrive home, her snuggles, and her happy rolling on her back! While our hearts ache over the loss of Nellie, we know she has gone over the Rainbow Bridge with Maisie and all of our other beloved pets. Until we meet again Nellie, you will remain our hearts forever.!

Our baby Frankie, you were our best friend and best puppy ever. The two years we had with you were the best and you gave us so many good memories. We miss you and love you so much Frankie.

Ruby Grace Robbins
April 4, 2004 – April 13, 2020
Our heart, our world. The best big sissy! The toughest dog we know. We miss her so much already including our two other dogs. Ruby was the heart of our amazing “trio.” This is such a HUGE loss. Ruby Grace was deeply loved & will be deeply missed by everyone, even people who said they weren't a “dog person” or “animal person.” Life has gone by so fast with her. I, her mama, had her for 11 years total. My husband, her daddy, had her in his life for a total of 8 years. Ruby was rescued from a puppy mill in Ohio at age 5 then I adopted her from a kill shelter in Indiana County. She was by far one of the best decisions I have ever made! Her Grammy helped adopt her who called her Ruby Lou & her Poppy called her Rubybisscus because she reminded him of a beautiful flower. Who rescued who they always say? She's my rescue story in so many ways. She was my saving grace & always will be. Her purpose here was heaven sent & she surely fulfilled it! We loved taking care of her & she loved being there for us. She gave us so much peace, love, & healing. The connection with her was extra special & she was truly precious. We were definitely meant to be. She was very loyal, beyond selfless, & taught others to love hard. She's our what's shakin' bacon, our ride or die, our baby girl, our best friend, our rubs, & our dare devil. Her daddy called her rub a dub chubs as she surely loved her belly rubs! Ruby girl loved going anywhere with her mama! Our hearts are deeply hurting but her memory will forever live on. Right before she passed, it was pouring down rain, but after that, sunshine came through. We will seek peace & love until we meet again. Ruby Grace was an angel here on Earth & now she is a beautiful angel in Heaven. 

Charlie was a blessing from the first day we rescued him at the shelter, but we quickly realized he had actually rescued us and would change our lives forever. He was the most loving, gentle, nice, cute, silly, and big-hearted dog ever. He was a best friend, brother, furry son, grand-doggy, nephew, and cousin. Some of Charlie’s favorite things were walking at the park, playing with his many toys (especially Pink Piggy and Red Cardinal), chewing bones, shopping trips to PetSmart, swimming, sunbathing on the deck, and hanging out with his family. He loved his vacations to Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Chicago, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York’s Central Park. Charlie had a passion for life and was a fighter to the end. Rest in Peace our good boy with your big brother Midnight in heaven. We love you with all our hearts and we will miss you every day that goes by. Thank you for 11 years of love, hugs, kisses, memories, and being by our sides.