Rainbow Bridge Memorials
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In loving memory of LUCY 1997 – 2010 Lucy came into my life when I agreed to foster her while she waited for her forever home. Lucy was just the right size, on the small side, and I figured she would be adopted quickly, because of her sweet temperament and quirky personality. She was probably a mix, but seemed more Basset than anything, with long ears, big soulful eyes, and short, slightly bowed, legs. When I first brought her home, she went immediately into Basset mode: snuffling around the yard, baying every few steps, tail high in the air, taking it all quite seriously (it was her job, after all). She had me at “Whoooo!” Lucy was supposed to be about 4 years old when I brought her home. When I took her in to be spayed, however, the vet felt she was closer to 9 years old. She was also heartworm positive, having come up via a rescue transport from somewhere in the South, and, as evidenced by her mature figure, allowed to have quite a few litters. All adoptions were put on hold while she recuperated from heartworm treatment and then her spay. Several months later, while Lucy was back awaiting adoption, I noticed that she was having some trouble getting around. It turned out that she had gone blind, literally overnight, for no apparent reason, and there was no cure. At this point I decided she would be better off staying with me. She seemed to enjoy life despite her blindness, and got around just fine under my watchful eye. And I in return got to listen to her snore at night, a sound I became quite fond of and even now, miss. All was well for a few years until we discovered Lucy had lymphoma. She did all right for a few weeks, but then one morning, it was obvious that she was in great pain. I knew it was time. We said goodbye in November 2010. I had only had her with me a little over 4 years, but her death left quite a hole in my heart. Sometimes a dog can make a lasting impression without even trying. Lucy love, you gave me so much pleasure simply by being you. I am so glad I had the chance to be part of your life.Lynne Keffer |
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In Loving Memory of Miss Molly Esther 1998-2010 Nancy & Keith Herzog, Verona, NY |
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In Loving Memory of Rudy 2001 - 2009 |
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| In Loving Memory of Abe Abraham 9/18/08 - 12/15/09  Abraham was one of the 34 puppy mill dogs that ABCBHR offered to help. He, along with a brother Bradley and 2 sisters (Olivia & Madison), were unable to be sold by the puppy miller that bred them. Abraham and his siblings sat in a pen in Iowa for a year. They had very little human contact and Bradley and Abraham were extremely afraid of people. When they were picked up to come to NY, the 4 were considered an extreme flight risk because they were so scared. They had to be handled very carefully. Abraham and Bradley needed much more than the boarding kennel could offer, so they were placed in foster homes. Abraham consistenly barked the first night at his foster home. Another foster home offered their home for Abraham. Unfortunately, on a potty break, he broke free from the volunteer and ran away, leash and all. Being so scared, we didn't know if he'd ever be found. Fortunately, he was found at a gas station several hours later and returned to his foster home. Twenty-four hours later, Abraham started having labored breathing and coughing up blood. He was taken to the emergency vet and put on oxygen and IV's. His breathing became extremely labored and the bleeding could not be stopped. The vet suspects internal injuries, perhaps he was hit by a car the night before when he was running free. It was at that time, the extremely difficult decion was made to send Abraham to the Rainbow Bridge. Abraham---may you play and be free of any pain. We will see you again when we cross the bridge. Rest in Peace sweet Abraham.
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| In Loving Memory of Columbo May 22, 1997 – July 3, 2009  I still remember the day – April 20, 2002 – when Columbo came to live with me and his basset brother, Fred. I’d never seen such long dog ears before, and I immediately fell in love with him. I always thought of him as an “old soul” – it showed in his eyes. He was truly a wonderful dog. He made me laugh every day with his scampering runs through the house, ears flying, jowls billowing….(slobber slobbering…)! He was a mischievous little guy who could fit into the oddest small, cramped places…..at times I called him Houdini. He loved belly rubs, treats, and lying in the driveway on sunny days. He’d find any little of slice of sunshine in the house to lie in. I remember the morning my mother passed away, and when I returned from the hospital after saying my goodbyes, he came to me and rested his head on my knee and just stared at me with knowing eyes. He was a sweet dog – my wonderful friend. But the past year has been difficult – he couldn’t take the stairs – he became deaf – his bladder was giving out. I knew the time was coming and worried that I wouldn’t know when the time was right. But last night when I got home from work, Columbo was in pain. He couldn’t walk well and fell several times. He cried most of the night and I checked on him but couldn’t do much to comfort him. At one point he looked into my eyes, and I knew it was time. And so this morning I took him for one last ice cream treat, our special thing we do. And then onto the vets, where he crossed that Rainbow Bridge as I held him in my arms. He isn’t suffering anymore, and I hope that he’s lying in a sunny spot eating ice cream on the other side. Thanks, Columbo, for 7 years of love and loyalty. I will miss you dearly.Mary Anderson
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| In Loving Memory of Heidi 1996 – 2009  Heidi died peacefully at home on April 18, 2009. She was almost 13 years old. She had been with our family since she was 2. We adopted her from a rescue group- or maybe she adopted us. The day we all went to the farm where many bassets were waiting to be adopted, Heidi sat down with us, very close, as the other dogs wandered around and played. The woman running the farm told us we had been chosen. Heidi always had lots of energy and a great loud voice. Although she may have, at times, considered herself above the law, she had a healthy respect for and understanding of the rules for dogs AND children in our home. She was clearly the boss of the dogs, maybe even the queen, and was the first to alert the adults if the children were out-of-line. "Hey!" she would woof, "No running in the house!" "Hey! Hey! No kids in the street!" Heidi loved nothing more than laying in the sun on a warm day. She could spend whole afternoons in the yard, happily napping, only occasionally and reluctantly, getting up for a drink or a woof. She monitored our corner of the neighborhood with constant vigilance. We always knew whenever someone was coming. Neighbors walking dogs, bikers, runners, and mail carriers could never successfully sneak up on us, although they were clearly trying. In recent months, she got slower. We were able to keep her comfortable with acupuncture, diet changes, and herbs from our vet. These past few weeks had several warmer days, in which she could sun bathe to her heart's content. The night before she died, she came out to see me after her bedtime, which was unusual. Twice, she came out for some loving and sat with me for a bit, before going back to her bed. She died the next day, just after noon. Our daughter made the enclosed photo collage of some of her favorite photos of Heidi. We plan to plant a flowering tree, along with Heidi's ashes, in sunny spot in the yard. We will miss Mighty Miss Heidi, Queen of Dogs. She has been a much-loved member of our family. Bon Voyage, Madame! It's been a great pleasure to have you in our lives! -The Franks
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| In Loving Memory of Cali
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In loving memory of Gus
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In loving memory of Bailey Rose, July 4th, 1999 (?) to February 11th, 2009 I will never forget the first time I met Bailey Rose at the foster home that cared for her. She bounded in to the house, ran up to me like she always knew me, rolled over on her back and proceeded to have her belly rubbed. That was in February of 2006 and three weeks later Bailey Rose became part of our home and our lives. For the next three years, Bailey showed us the meaning of uncompromising love and devotion; always greeting us first thing in the morning; always asking for a belly rub before her evening snooze. Every one she met immediately became her friend, and her periodic visit to the vet would bring cries of “It’s Miss Bailey Rose is here” from the staff. She filled our lives with a deep and lasting happiness.Then on a cold February Sunday, we awoke to find Bailey suddenly ill. We rushed her to the vet and for the next three days worked round the clock as our beautiful girl slowly grew worse despite all our efforts. On the evening of her passing we said our goodbyes with the hope that by morning she would improve. We felt it minutes before the call came that Bailey Rose had passed. I can tell you that for all the pain of losing Bailey Rose in no way equals the joy she gave us for the three years we had with her. Watch over us Bailey Rose and thank you for showing us what love really means. Your Family, Fran & Nick Christiano Newburgh, NY
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 in loving memory of Bobin loving memory of my beloved Basset, Bob. He was my first Basset, and he was a joy. Three days after I sent him to the Rainbow Bridge, I adopted Buford, from ABC Rescue. He, too, is the new joy of my life, but will never take Bob's place. And when Buford passes over one day, then no other Basset will take his place. Rest In Peace, Bob, until we meet again... Thanks ABC for the love, patience and kindness you provide. God Bless You! Laurie |
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| in loving memory of Buford February 1, 2000 -- August 15, 2008  Buford started his life out bought in a pet store. By the time we got him we were his 5th family and he wasn’t quite 3 years old. Buford came to us in November 2002 from a family that couldn’t seem to make up their minds whether they wanted him. After the second time of that we decided to make up their minds for them. He had landed in foster care for just a day and we didn’t give the other family time to change their minds – we went and got him. And… we never looked back.GoofieBufe, you were the “naughtiest boy in town” – it was your most endearing quality. You were always into some kind of trouble…the eternal 2 year old. Thanx for all the “help” sorting the laundry, don’t know how we’ll do it without you. Making the bed will no longer be the fun it was when you “helped” either. The shower will miss you and your daily visits. We’ll have to listen for ourselves for the fire whistle to go off. Thanx for letting us know all that time. We’ll have to listen ourselves for Noel and Ellie acting up too without you here to tattle on them. We wish we could have “saved” you for a second time but it wasn’t meant to be. We all love you and will miss you til we meet at the Bridge. Mama, Daddy, Noel, & Ellie |
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in loving memory of Maggie |
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I picked Rudy up June 7th 2008 from Nancy his foster mom. I remember sitting on their front porch when they let Rudy out and he came right to me. Just as they were telling me he seemed to be a little nervous around men he rolled right over for me to rub his belly, we bonded from that moment on. I brought him home to Rochester and let him have the run of the house to explore and get used to his new home. I hadn't said anything to my son about Rudy because I wanted him to be a surprise. We had put my yellow lab of 17 years down six months earlier and it was time for another dog. My girlfriends neighbor had a basset that they had got from ABC so I started to research the breed. Everything I read seemed to good to be true and Rudy proved what a great breed they really are. Rudy had his morning routine, I would let him out and almost everyday he would run two laps around the back yard take care of business and come right in. When we came home from work and school rudy would be waiting and we would play chase through the house before rudy would get an afternoon treat. Our house became Rudys house, he would come over to us and give us a nudge then roll over on his back for a belly rub. If it wasn't a belly rub he would jump right up on the couch and put his head in your lap for some ear scratching. Rudy was the perfect dog he stole our hearts right from the start, after putting my other dog down I never thought there would be another dog for me. Unfortunately around Halloween of '09 I started seeing a change in Rudy, I took him to the vet who determined he had a disc problem in his neck. We treated it with rest and medication and he seemed to slowly be getting better. Unexpectedly he took a turn for the worse and started to have problems walking and seemed to be in pain. I took him back to the vet and we decided to try a some different meds and discussed surgery. Again it seemed to be helping a little but sadly I returned home from dinner and found Rudy unable to stand up, our worst fears were coming true. I knew what I had to do, I called the emergency vet to bring Rudy in but before we could leave he quietly passed I while held him... he managed to get in the last goodbye as he licked my nose before he passed. Rudy instantly became a member of our family and stole our hearts, we only had Rudy a short 18 months but we exchanged a lifetime of love. Rest in Peace Big Rudy we love you, we miss you.
I just thought about your organization because my best friend Cali--my male basset hound (he had a girl's name-but I didn't name him) passed away on November 20. He was 10 and was diagnosed with spleen cancer. I want to get another basset but I want to wait until I can stop mourning the loss so much and bring another basset into a happy home where I can spoil them rotten! Attached is a picture of my beloved Cali. 
Gus joined us a rescue and we nursed him to healthy as he had been terribly neglected. We had planned to find him a good home but he stole our hearts with his sweetness and personality. He had a long, happy life with us and his heart was just tired. We had the vet assist us in sending him peacefully to the Rainbow Bridge.
We adopted Maggie from ABC Rescue in June, 2001. She was about 4-6 years old at the time, abandoned in Olean. It