This tribute page is to all of you, may you find peace at Rainbow
Bridge. May loving hands and lots of treats and toys await
every one of you as you enter.
Please send any entries to Karen Powers, Founder GMPR at
vtpugs@charter.net
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It
is with deep sadness that I write this letter to you. Today we lost
our beloved Puggy. It was very difficult walking through our door
this evening, to hear not a sound. She would always come running,
snorting, and wagging her little tail!
For the past few months Puggy's health has decreased greatly. Roby
and I tried to make her as comfortable as we could but it just
became too much for her and for us to watch. We will always remember
the little girl who became the princess of our home and our "watch
dog" when we went camping!
Even though Puggy has left our "Forever Home" she will always be in
our hearts forever.
Sincerely,
Roby, Nicole, Trey & Logen Bushaw
Early
in the evening of Saturday, January 16th our sweet little friend
Millie was put to rest at The Massachusetts Veterinary Referral
Hospital in Woburn, MA. Mille came to us only four years ago, after
the “Pug Underground Railroad” (GMPR) rescued her from a puppy mill
in Ohio and brought her into the caring foster home of Nancy Zajesky.
Millie had many issues when she came into our lives. One eye was
completely blinded by some unknown trauma. The other was half blind
with pigmentary keratitis from untreated dry eye. She had lost her
hearing to chronic yeast infections. Her nails had been neglected so
long that some curled into the bottom of her pads. She also had
luxating patellas and a mild case of hip dysplasia that affected her
movement. When she first joined our family, she would sometimes
stand staring into a corner unable to process the world around her.
Over the next four years this poor little creature would blossom
into the sweetest, most loving being I have ever known.
From the beginning there were glimmers of the Millie we came to know
and love. The first day we met her in Latham, NY, she crawled into
my wife’s lap and fell asleep in the sunshine. The evening we
brought her home she curled up on my chest and we dozed off
together. As Millie got stronger and healthier, more and more of her
personality began to shine through. When I would come home in the
evening and sit on the floor to play, she would pounce (in her own
way) and subdue my hand with a vicious onslaught of pug kisses. When
it was time to doze on the couch, she would stand in the middle of
the living room and sound the alarm as her front feet hopped of the
floor with each “yip”. To the educated ear, her breathing, loud even
by pug standards, could convey a great deal of emotion with each
grunt, snuffle, and sigh.
While Millie’s time with us was much too short, the impact she had
on our lives will last forever. There are many lessons to be learned
from the way our little friend lived her life and the best tribute
we can offer Millie is to try and apply them to our own lives.
Despite everything that had happened to her, Millie took life as it
came and rolled with the punches. She didn’t dwell on the past or
let bad experiences hold her back, instead she welcomed each day of
life with her own type of gusto and wasn’t afraid to try new things
(especially food related). While she had every reason to distrust
and fear people, Millie never met a person she wasn’t willing to
give a chance and love. Millie appreciated the small pleasures in
life - a nice lap to lie on, a sunny spot to bask in, or a warm fire
for toasting her pug buns. All brought her joy. Millie was content
with what she had and reminded us that it’s the simple things in
life that matter most. She knew what it was to be a good friend –
providing her own special type of support through two of the
toughest times we have known until now. Millie was a tough little
girl who never complained about anything – reminding us that even
when things seem to be at their worst, they will get better. Above
all, Millie’s brief and shining time with us reminds us to take a
moment to cherish our loved ones now for you never know when your
time together may end.
Our home is too quiet and empty now. The ever-present wheezes and
snores that beat out the rhythm of our days are now silent. There is
no more clicking of pug toes skittering on the hardwood floor. There
is no little body waiting to trip me while I cook dinner. There is
no more soft warm friend to curl up with while I read in the
evening. Never have I known such a small creature to leave such a
huge hole. My Millie, my Miffie-Jean, my sweet little puggy friend,
we miss you. We love you. Good-bye.
In
memory---Don't be sad that I have gone over the bridge I was
surrounded by people who loved me--not those who abandoned me. In
the end I had this pug crazy family who took me in and made me a
member of their family. People who I didn't even know donated money
for medicine and my last 4 months were the best I had in years! So
now I am free running with all the other pugs on the other side of
the bridge and like many others will always have a special place in
my heart for everyone who donates their time, money and energy to
pug rescue.
Shrek-- Abandoned at MSPCA Centerville, MA June 2009; Rescue by Pugs
by the Sea; Fostered by Robin Davidson and loved by everyone he met;
journey over the bridge November 2009--never to be forgotten!
After a year of failing neurological health, Xena, our own little Warrior
Princess, passed over the Rainbow Bridge on September 16, 2009.
After a night of increased respiratory distress, we made the
decision to let her go peacefully and I cuddled her as she fell into
the last deep sleep.
She started her life in Ohio but came east through the efforts of
GMPR when her owner moved into a nursing home and was unable to keep
Xena with her. She became a member of our family in March 2006 and
immediately became the Queen Bee, claiming the plumpest dog beds,
the corner of my bed with the best view and the sunniest spot on the
deck. She loved to go on walks on our back roads and rides in the
car but her favorite pastime was sleeping on the hassock at your
feet in the evening. Many a night her snores would try to drown out
the television! A year ago she started getting a little wobbly on
her hind legs and she was diagnosed with neurological degeneration.
Luckily she was never in any pain or distress until the night before
she passed away.
Although she was unable to use her hind legs to walk for the last 4
months of her life, she loved the little wheeled cart we got her and
she zipped around the house, running over toes and paws with gay
abandon. The highlight of her day was when the parakeet was allowed
free flying time and she could follow along with him throughout the
house.
Throughout the entire illness she was amazingly happy and loving and
she ate all the medications and supplements that were added to her
food with the same enjoyment as if they were just another treat. She
has left a huge hole in our lives and it will be a long time before
I can think of her without shedding a few tears. At least I know
she’s in a better place now where she can run and play with her
half-sister, Toshi, as she was meant to.
Farewell, dear Xena, until we meet again.
Love, Mom (Carol)
GMPR
learned of the passing of Carla Deskins of Derby Vt. She was such an
amazing pug owner! She adored her senior pugs the most! When I first
met her in 2002 at the pugtoberfest, she had 4 pugs and dressed them
all as lady bugs! So cute. Her love of the breed was simply
outstanding. She succumbed to cancer the weekend of August 31st. She
passed away just after losing her last two pugs Gus and Lady. Rest
in peace Carla. We will all miss your smile! Karen-gmpr
SONNY RAY 4/29/99 – 6/13/09
SONNY RAY lived in a small wire cage for 6 years in a Missouri Puppy
Mill. He was used for breeding and when he could no longer do his
job he became another puppy mill “throw away.” Sonny Ray’s legs and
feet were severly deformed. His front legs curved inward and his
elbows bowed out. He walked on the sides of his feet. When Sonny
arrived in Vermont he could only take 2 or 3 steps before he would
have to lay down because his feet would bleed. On June 9, 2005 Sonny
Ray had the first of several surgeries on his right leg, which the
worst of the two. After 18 months he developed enough callous on the
sides of his feet so that they no longer bled. Sonny Ray learned to
run after that! Sonny Ray was about 90% blind from granulation
tissue and pigment covering both corneas due to dry eyes which had
never been treated in the puppy mill. Sonny also suffered from a
collapsed trachea that caused him to choke and cough. In spite of
his many health problems, Sonny Ray was the happiest pug you could
ever know. His big fat bagel tail wagged non stop. He was a champion
of the pug “woo woo” and always ready for a performance. Sonny Ray
spent 4 wonderful years as the GMPR Puppy Mill Poster Pug. I’ve
heard it said that in your lifetime you may have many dogs. If you
are lucky, you may get to share the life of the one perfect dog.
This dog may not be perfect in anyone else’s eyes, but to you he is
perfect. You share an unbreakable bond in your hearts. I’ve been
lucky to have shared my life with 3 such dogs. Pugs of my Heart I
call them. I was blessed to be given the privilege of caring for
Sonny Ray from June 1, 2005 through June 13, 2009. For 4 years he
was my constant companion and friend. On June 13th a piece of my
heart went with him on his journey over the bridge. Good Bye, sweet,
sweet, Pug of my Heart. You are so very much loved and you are
perfect! Rest in Peace Sonny of the North!!!! Judy and Phil Douglas
Isabella
"Ivy" Valentine Thayer
Born on February 15th 2005 and the only fawn female sharing a litter
with at least five black pugs, Isabella "Ivy" Valentine Thayer was
purchased from a loving breeder in upstate New York. Always a happy
puppy, she came to her new home under the care of Bob and Michelle,
along with Ivy's biological 'aunt' Zelda and a sweet old Golden
Retriever named Angel. It took a few months for her to come out of
her shell, but what emerged was a dog ready to take on the world.
She showed no fear as she guarded the house from anything and
everything that dared to show its face, especially if it tried to
come in the front door.
She loved to watch and bark at the television, to which she was
rather addicted. One day when I was coming home I glanced through
the kitchen window to find her sitting in front of the stove staring
up at the TV on top of the refrigerator, watching with great
interest. Images of dogs and horses were among her favorites, and
she'd attack the entertainment center to get at them. She also found
a distain for certain sounds, especially some songs (like the "Woo
Hoo" song in Vonage commercials, or whistling in a local cable
commercial).
She was always the "Good Pug", able to be trusted in any situation.
We could leave her in the living room, alone with our food on the
coffee table without fear that she would jump up and eat it. She was
also known as the "mommy pug" with her maternal instincts in
overdrive, making sure Zelda's ears and face were clean almost every
day. She extended this loving attention to her adopted sister Violet
- a GMPR puppy mill rescue.
She liked to swim when we took her out to do so. Zelda didn't care
much for it, so we used her life jacket on Ivy. One summer day at my
father's house Ivy swam in his pool on and off for nearly an hour,
and several of the times she jumped in all by herself. She also
eventually loved the wading pool we set out in our backyard (even
though she saw it more as a large water bowl).
Ivy loved to be outside, whether playing with Zelda and Violet,
seeing her doggie neighbor Spike, chasing squirrels and rabbits or
resting in the sunshine, it did not matter to her. Just the mere
mention of going out would excite her to no end, causing Ivy to yip,
bark and howl as she danced around the room waiting for anyone to
open the door.
The same exuberance came about if you asked her if she was hungry or
wanted to go to bed. In bed she favored two spots: under the covers
behind Michelle's knees or between our pillows. Many mornings were
started off by awakening to her little face in mine, either fast
asleep and snoring or staring and snorting as if to say "Let's go do
something, daddy!"
The only thing Ivy did not enjoy in the least was riding in the car.
No matter what we did or how often we took her places she never
liked the ride. She would spend the majority of the trip yipping and
howling in a panic until about 5 minutes from any destination where
she would fall asleep. She always loved being in new places, but the
journey was very much an unwelcome aspect. We would make sure she
got in a lot of play time where ever we took her, because then she
would sleep the whole ride home.
Two days after Thanksgiving 2008 Ivy had a massive seizure. She had
another a few hours later, and was rushed to the emergency vet. They
stabilized her and kept her for observation overnight. She seemed
back to normal for a week or so, but then the seizures came back. It
was then that extensive testing was done, which resulted in a
diagnosis of Pug Dog Encephalitis. Through most of December she was
in and out of the animal hospital, coming home a week before
Christmas. She returned to semi-normality for most of January and
February, where she was attentive and alert. If not for the
tell-tale sign of walking in circles, some might say she was doing
fine. She had very mild, short seizures about every two weeks but
was eating, drinking and moving around with lots of energy.
On the morning of March 3rd I found her quivering, having a
low-grade seizure. These usually only lasted a few seconds, but this
one went on for 20 minutes or more. A trip to the vet calmed her
down enough to stop it temporarily. The next morning she had another
prolonged seizure. We decided that we couldn't bear to have her
suffer any longer and took her to the vet one last time. The once
vibrant and happy dog had become far removed from the helpless pug
who struggled with this terrible disease, and we thought it best to
let her go.
It was a difficult decision that I still struggle with, but I know
deep down in my heart it was right.
-- Bob Thayer
This
morning I sent my handsome little man to Rainbow Bridge and he just
went to sleep. He was having congential heart failure plus old age
had finally caught up with him. I was there when he was born
breathing life into him and had a hard time getting him jump started
and I was there for him today as he took his last breath. Hannah,
put him to sleep for me and Sam helped me take him down and he is
burying him now. After many tears lots of kisses from Blazer and I
then I let him go to his rest. He fell into the water pan yesterday
and if I hadn't been home he would have drowned as he was very
unsteady on his feet and failing fast. I can only thank him for all
the years of beautiful puppies he sired and the lines of him that go
on in my Brutus, Cricket, Muffy,who is is greatgrandaughter and then
Pog,BlayAnka, Jewel,Sweetie way back and now Dani has some of that
far distant blood lines So he lives on and on. And mostly in my
heart...I also thank him for all the years he let me love him and he
loved me back with his unconditional love. He was always at my feet
either tripping me or just laying there waiting to see what my next
move might be.
I love you my handsome man rest in peace.....
Your Mom,
Lillian Mae
Rest in Peace Sweet
Penelope!
5/22/09
This morning I received a call from Judy Douglas, who is
fostering Penelope. She had taken Penelope into the Rutland
Vet Hosp. Judy said the ultrasound showed she was bleeding
internally from either a tumor or ulcer. She needed a blood
transfusion immediately .Judy and Phil raced her to Burlington
Emergency Vet svcs in Burlington for an emergency blood
transfusion and probable surgery. Rutland had called them to
let them know she was coming and what was needed to be done
ASAP.
After sitting for hours in the vets office ( NO not kidding)
the vet finally took them in and said "she needs a
transfusion". NO DUH! Judy had asked repeatedly what was
happening and they told her she was being taken care of -
triaged etc. But in actuality nothing was being done. They
never started the transfusion till 4pm. So she was sitting
there all alone with no help for hours!
It was the hardest thing for Judy and Phil to leave her there
that night, they wanted her to go back to Rutland Vet hospital
but she could not. They gave the vet another board members #
in case it was bad so she would not be alone. Penelope died
Sat. Early am.
Necropsy is back- this is from Judy:
They called back with the results of the Autopsy. She bled out
due to a perforated ulcer. This is exactly what Rutland Vet
said it was. They told us that she needed an immediate
transfusion and surgery to fix it ASAP. Well, I think the
folks at BEVS really really let us down. If they had
transfused her when we go there at 1:00 and call the surgeon
in, they may have been able to save her. All the time we were
there the triage vet kept saying well the decision has to made
as to whether this is a surgical matter or a case for the
internists. Rutland knew exactly what needed to be done but
didn't have the means to do it. Dr. MacPherson is out of town
for the holiday and Rutland could only do one blood
transfusion because they can't match the blood. The ulcer was
in the pyloric (sp?) region and a very small perforation that
could have been repaired surgically - this from the vet at
BEVS. Basically they let her bleed until her heart stopped. My
heart is broken over this and I feel that I let PeaPod down by
taking her there. When I am able to, I will talk to Dr.
MacPherson about what happened and will definitely be writing
a complaint letter to BEVS.
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and thoughts. She will
be cremated and come home to us. Hugs, Judy
5/12/09
With heavy hearts, GMPR announces the passing of our beloved Brenna
to the rainbow bridge today. Her body just could not move anymore
and she was not happy about it. Her foster parents Mike and Vickie
are pug angels for sure. For months they just picked her up and
carried her everywhere lovingly cleaning her up and her messes
without a word. She would cry out when Mike was not around. They did
everything they could for her, trying to get the cart to help her
walk. Until her front legs gave out and could not hold her up
anymore. She could barely eat- they held her head so she could. They
went above and well beyond what anyone could do for the precious
girl. We will miss her but we know now she is in the bridge reunited
with her owner that passed before her. Run fast and well dear Brenna.
You left your heart with us!!
Lucy
Rafferty - January 12, 1996 - April 7, 2009
I don’t know quit how to write this tribute to our Lucy. There is so
much we want to say but our hearts are so heavy at the moment that
is much to difficult. Lucy lost her courageous battle with cancer
April 7, 2009. She was our alpha girl and she ruled with such grace
and dignity. When we began taking in rescue Pugs in 2003, Lucy took
it all in stride and welcomed each one as a member of our family and
her pack. Of course she always let them know straight up that she
was boss. She was one of the most courageous little Pugs I have
known. She overcame several hurdles during her little life but this
was one hurdle that was just to big. Lucy came through the radiation
therapy like a trooper, and endured chemo like a pro, yet the cancer
spread to her lungs and there was nothing more we could do except to
let Lucy die as she had lived, with grace and dignity. Our vet came
to the house and helped her gently across the rainbow bridge with us
by her side. Lucy was never far from my side for 13 years and it’s
so very hard waking up and not seeing those big brown eyes, nor
hearing her woo-woos at treat time and through out the day. We
always knew Lucy was our angle and now she has her wings so that she
may fly. We know Lucy is at peace and is waiting with her siblings
for us to join them all one day. Lucy defiantly changed our lives
and we are so grateful that she shared her much to short life with
us. One of my favorite quotes sums it up “No heaven will not ever
heaven be, unless my pets are there to welcome me.” We love you Lucy
Lu! Forever and Always till we meet again. God bless
