Gretchen, whom we received in July of 2006 (at a reported 18 years of age) went to Rainbow Bridge after 7 months in the rescue program. In truth, I never suspected she would find a "forever" home, but she was so spry and full of the love of life that we had to try.

Gretchen's story is typical of most rescue dogs. Her background was completely unknown when we received her. She was missing her owner of 18 years, who had abandoned her at the municipal shelter because they "were moving and can't take her with us", although I'm not familiar with any state that doesn't allow senior pets.

As with most of the animals, she soon adapted to her change in circumstances and came to love her foster daddy (that would be me) as much as he loved her. She followed him around and slept in his bed and he did for her the same as would be done for any of the "adoptable" dogs. In short, she made herself as "adoptable" as she could. But, she had committed one, unforgivable sin — she insisted on remaining a senior dog and it was her refusal to become young again that ultimately led to her never finding a "forever home" to live out her life.

This is not to say that Gretchen had absolutely no problems when she arrived. She had many, all physical and all treatable — so we treated them. Towards the end, she began to show signs of kidney problems. Not failure. Just problems. Every other day for her last three months, she received fluids to help maintain them. This so improved her quality of life, that we had high hopes for her remaining with us for a while longer. She so loved the treats she would get while receiving her fluids and she perked up so much after each infusion, that we just couldn't take away even one minute from her. We knew that she would let us know when she was ready to leave.

On February 21, 2007, I had to make one of the hardest decisions any pet rescuer (or pet owner) ever has to face: the decision to euthanize an animal. Gretchen was saying that she was ready to leave. On a beautiful, sunny day, she went outside and lay down in the grassy yard she had come to love so much. She closed her eyes and refused to move again. She hadn't passed, but she was definitely asking for help. And so, with a heavy heart, she was allowed to go.

Hard to believe she was only here for 7 months. I look back and I have difficulty remembering a time when she wasn't there at the door when I got home from work, or waking up to find her snoozing peacefully at the edge of the bed. She asked for so little and gave so much in return and her little paw print will remain indelibly etched in my heart.

Rest in peace, little Gretchen. Thank you for being part of my life. You may not ever have found that "forever home" that I wanted for you, but I know that you left knowing that you were loved by someone.