Tribute to Our Lost Pets / Reigning Cats & Dogs

If it should be that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done, For this -- the last battle - can't be won.

Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Murphy was my wonderful cat for over 15 years. He was about 17-18 years old. I had to put him to sleep on July 24, 2010, and that was a very difficult time for me. He was not the warmest cat to others but became loyal to me over the years and as he aged. He was the King of the house. I miss him terribly as he used to greet me when I would come into the house. He would also see me off by sitting at the top of the stairs looking down. He was a cat who like to play ball. He would carry it in his mouth and sometimes bring the ball to me. He was always around and I miss that. Terese cared for Murphy for 9 years and said he even let her pat him towards the end!!! It was so comforting to know he was in the great care of Terese and staff when I was away. I had about a week's notice that he was towards the end of his life, and am glad to have had that time. He was a beautiful cat who I loved a lot.

Doolin was purchased from a pet store 11 years ago in factor of a new business suit. He almost cost me my husband when he ate a steak off my then boyfriend's plate, but I knew that this hound would be the most loyal love I would ever have. Doolin lived life to the fullest and even dabbled in coma inducing chocolate a couple times. There was never a dull moment, a lost potato chip or a face that didn't get licked when he was around. He loved me unconditionally and was my threapist when things got tough. He will forever be my favorite friend and trusted buddy. He will be missed greatly by me, my family, and my friends. To all those that took care of him over his lifetime, thank you! I know if he could bark it out, he would say the same thing. Bye Dools! You will always be in my heart.

We all loved Missy and she loved us and the dogs too. Her companionship with the dogs is one of the dearest aspects of her personality. She asked for so little and always seemed so grateful. She came to us as a starving stray, from the Angell Memorial/ASPCA shelter some 20 years ago. When we reached into her cage, she purred, and we could see that as the only stray at the shelter and very emaciated, no one would take her, so we chose her and loved her. We named her Artemis for her large yellow moon eyes, but it was soon clear she was more "Missy" than the goddess of the hunt. From the time she entered our lives she was the easiest cat ever. She purred when petted, ate her food, and cuddled. Nothing threw her off. When company came, she'd come around to check it out. A few years back she decided she'd try the outdoors again (she had shown no interest for over 12 years or more) and after that, she loved to be in the yard, particularly with Jasper. In her final months, she loved the rock next to the pond and I have pictures of her curled up on its warmth, near the water she craved towards the end.

Once, briefly, we tried a second cat, and poor Missy put up with it but ended up pushed into about 4 square feet of living space by a very dominant cat. We had to find another home for that cat. Missy was just stalwart, solid, even, never changing. Of course she was a cat we could give fluids to - even just one of us with no assistance. She just put up with things and she always seemed both accepting and wise.

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.

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.

I found Necco behind my office warehouse one day in 1995. She was living in the woods with a group of feral cats that my friend, Sioux, would feed and give fresh water to each day. I went out with her to help and this skinny, little gentle kitten came bounding over to me and climbed right up to my shoulder. That was it for me. The next day, we put her in a carrier and Sioux took her to her vet to get checked out. A week later, "Necco wafer" joined me and she's been my little shadow ever since. She loved to be in the house and had no desire to wander outside (except once when we left the cellar door open for the day and the curiosity was too much for her). But even then, she only went as far as the backyard. I guess she knew she had a good thing and didn't have to scrap for food.

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.

Necco passed away on Sept. 4 from Lymphoma at the age of 14 1/2. She'll be missed but never forgotten.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dedicated to the pets we've lost.

Rainbow Bridge Poem

Tribute to lost pets

Tribute To:

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

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.

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.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

- Author unknown