Dedicated to the pets we've lost.
Rainbow Bridge Poem
Tribute to lost pets
Abbey Lacey Clarence Valentino Maxi
Quark Patch Obie Ivory Sweetie
Tribute To:
Our beloved Bailey left us far too soon. He was one of the friendliest dogs ever and so gentle with the children. While the house seems empty without him his memories will fill it for a long time to come. Thank you to all his friends at Reigning Cats and Dogs for making his life more complete. I know how much he enjoyed going out with all his buddies.
- The Thompson Family
Rosie (aka Rosie Sue, Rosalind Suzanne (only used when she was in trouble), Big Lady, Rosers) was a much beloved English Bulldog who brought enjoyment and happiness to her owners and their friends. She left us far too soon, just shy of her ninth birthday after battling multiple myeloma for over a year. It was unfortunate that the end came so fast because she wasn’t able to say goodbye to all of those who loved her.
She was a loving and faithful companion to me for over eight years. She was always happy to see me when I came home and even in her old age and deteriorating health, she was the first to meet me at the top of the stairs. Her younger and far healthier sister, Agatha Rose, preferred to peer over the couch to see if whoever was at the stairs was worth getting off the couch for.
Rosie loved rolling on her back, wading in ponds, and liverwurst. She loathed baths and detested rain and was stubborn when the sun was shining and I wanted her to come in the house. When she was in her prime I could throw a stuffed animal from the couch and she’d bring it back as many times as I would toss it. She was a fixture on the sidelines at my flag football games and would let everyone on the field know she wasn’t pleased with the lack of attention by barking at us.
People who met Rosie in the last few years of her life when she was a mellow and well-behaved girl were astounded to hear that she had her share of indiscretions when she was younger. She chewed the corner on my new couch, she destroyed multiple pairs of shoes and flip-flops, and she mutilated my favorite possession in the world (next to her) – my Tivo remote control. Ultimately I was never able to stay mad at her for more than 5 minutes and I would give anything if she were still around to chew anything I currently own.
Rosie you are immensely missed and you’ll never be forgotten. I think about you every day. You touched a lot of lives and meant the world to me and many others.
The things I miss the most are not being able to tell her "I love you" before leaving for work and having her respond with a sweet "meow" or having her bounding on my head in the middle of the night only to find a spot by my legs to curl up. When I watched TV, she would spread out on my lap just like a blanket and when I would try to work on my computer, she could only take so much of being ignored until she would lie across the keyboard and demand to be patted.
Abbey is a super-friendly,
gentle, and large, 11 year-old Golden Retriever. She
is also a retired therapy dog.
She went into
training at Dog BONES and visited people in nursing
homes. She returned to Dog Bones where she and her
owners had additional training, and Abbey became a
"reading partner". She was actively involved in the
Columbus Elementary School in Medford, where
children enjoyed reading to their new canine
partner.
Like many Goldens, Abbey loves to swim, roll in the snow, and eat. Salmon is her favorite food. We believe her ancestors were bears!
Abbey has quite an impressive collection of tennis balls, and is extremely proud when she finds one while out on a walk. She is adored by her "parents" Art and Debra.
Lacy was a kind, sweet dog. She was my first dog, and my first German Shorthaired Pointer. She was a natural bird hunter, and she trained me well. She tolerated my bird hunting mistakes (misses) fairly well, but on occasion would run into the woods, chasing after the bird I should have dropped. She would bark in frustration, letting me know what she thought of my shot-gunning skills.
She barely tolerated boats, and so was not much of a fishing dog. One time, she fell in the water and just swam to the Canadian shore and disappeared off into the wilderness. She didn't care much for snowmobiles or ice fishing, but that was okay. She liked her beanie, futons, owner's beds and warm fires. She was better than an electric blanket on cold winter nights. She would let you hug her, I mean really hug her, leaning into you as you wrapped your arms around her for as long as you wanted to, and then more often than not, lick your face before she walked away.
The last several years, I kept expecting each winter to be her last, but
she kept on going. I guess wanting to go bird hunting one more time. I
only found out later, that she was the second to last surviving dog from
her litter (of 9!). That made me feel a bit better, knowing she lived
much longer than most of her litter mates. I will always think
kindly of her, and miss her.
- Willet Bevers, Jr.
I lost my Clarence in October to cancer. he was diagnosed about 6 months ago. He was a fighter and was doing great until the a day before he passed away. He was 16 1/2 years old. Clarence was found as a kitten in an abandoned car along with 5 siblings. He was about 4 weeks old and only a few pounds. We chose him because he was the smallest and calmest and most of all because he loved watching Bruins games. His little head would just go back and forth after the puck. It was the cutest thing. He was a sweet and gentle soul. He never hissed or growled at anyone. He accepted any animal I brought into our home...which was quite a few. He even accepted our daughter living with us after a while. That took some getting used to, but he never raised a paw to her even when she was totally lying on top of him. He just would look at me as to say, please, please take her off me.
He was an indoor cat but we let him outside when we were out and he loved to chase butterflies and just lie down and take a nap in the hot sun. He was also a great mouser and was so proud to bring us presents.
Clarence was the oldest of our 3 cats and we would often reprimand the other two for chasing Clare or being too rough with him. When we would turn the corner, it was Clarence jumping off the couch onto Jack's head! He instigated a lot, but he knew he would never be blamed.
Every night Clarence slept with me, on my pillow and purred non-stop. EVERY NIGHT. We will never forget our sweet little boy and how much joy and laughter he brought into our home. Clarence was my best bud for 16 years. We miss him terribly.
- Terese, Paul & Faith
Tino made a lot of friends in this world
- cat lovers and others alike. He died on Friday and we'd
thought we'd share a few thoughts about him.
Tino was an engaging, even demanding, conversationalist. He had an enduring fondness for baked goods. Often he enjoyed a nice spanking, some odoriferous footwear, or even both at once. He taught us to understand how good attention and bad attention were really not so different. He always wanted to be around us. These things seem small to write about, yet Tino was a big presence in our home. We will miss him quite a bit.
When we find out that Tino had cancer (and had the vet stitch him back up anyway), we hoped that we would be lucky enough for him to be around when Eli was born. We got that and a year more. We are so grateful.
- Deborah & David
Maxi passed away on August 15, 2008. She was a great, smart dog that always wanted to "go". She loved hiking, swimming, cross country skiing, and of course, eating. We always knew when it was time to eat or go for a walk, as her expectant stare couldn bore a hole right through you; a silent personal trainer. She was a great "buddy" and we will always miss her.
- Ted & Ellen
Last quarter's "Pet of the Month", Quark left us in April '06. He died of cancer. He had a strong desire to live, and the doctors said he would probably only make it to about Thanksgiving, but Quark proved them wrong. He was having too much fun. Quark was a black lab. He was apart of the Reigning Cats & Dogs family since 1998 and was a favorite. His owners, Leslie and Zvi, told us, we were a favorite of his too. We will miss him.
Obadiah "Obie" Shorey
Obahdiah
left us on October 11, 2006. He was 15 years old and had a good
long life. He was a Portuguese Water Dog and was a client of
Reigning
Cats & Dogs
for about 10 years.
He loved people, and people loved him. Everyone at the park new Obie, as he ran up to folks looking for a treat all the time. We all will miss him very much.
Obie had great owners in Ami and Everett and their daughters Rachael and Margot. He also had a companion who will miss him, their other dog, Maggie.
PATCH
Our beloved Patch passed away in January '07. She was 13 years old. Although this cute little Jack Russell Terrier came into our lives when she was 7, we've shared a lifetime of good memories. She was a sweet, gentle little doggie. She loved to snuggle on the couch, and always wanted to be held. There wasn't any food that she wouldn't beg for! About 2 years ago she was diagnosed with diabetes and went blind shortly after that. She put up with her shots twice a day and managed to make her way around the house. Her sweet disposition never changed. Over this past summer, we brought home a brother for Patch; a two year old Jack Russell Terrier named Jake. Patch was happy to have company. She loved when Jake would snuggle up next to her. It was as if she felt protected. We will miss our little angel but know what she will always live on in our hearts.
- owners Kathy & Jimmy
Ivory was a very beautiful, sweet cat who died suddenly. Owners Kathleen and Volkan were driving down the street during a horrid rainstorm and saw Ivory soaked and scared to death. The grabbed her and took her home, and it was her home for 13 great years. She loved to be outside when it was nice, and loved to sleep on her girl Brittany's bed...She will be missed by the home's two other cats, Callie and Cosmo.
Richard and Arlene adopted Sweetie from a shelter about 5 years ago. She was an older dog, about 9 or 10 and her name fit her perfectly. She would come to the park everyday with us. Richard called her the fun police, because whenever some of the dogs would get a little crazy, she would always bark and bark at them - like telling them to stop. It was quite funny. We will miss her sweet personality and even the singing she did the whole ride to the park and back. Sweetie was also lucky to find Arlene and Richard, they are the best...and so was Sweetie.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called
Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
- Author unknown
