Gretchen
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.
You were her "forever home"
You were her "forever home" as it seems you are for a lot of these senior animals. They were lucky to find their forever home and you were lucky that they made their way to you in time.
I remember, and still have
I remember, and still have somewhere, your rescuer's Rainbow Bridge. I know for certain that Gretchen will be waiting for you, Benny, along with some many others when you arrive.
In case you didn't hear it earlier...Gretchen says "thank you, I love you dad".
i don't know, just because
i don't know, just because we are more familiar with the horrible behavior of people like her original owner, doesn't make his actions more human and benny's actions those of a saint... i do believe that the original owner is a monster and benny is a wonderful human being... we should just be less accepting of a monstrous behavior in people...
irina ginzburg.
Foster Dad,you are the most
Foster Dad,you are the most caring persons i have ever heard of.You should be very proud.She was an absolutely sweet,beautiful dog.your words gave way to my tears.my Mom use to breed Dachshunds.I love them so very much.Mine was Gretchen Von Crushev 2nd.she too was sweet.A car took her from me when i was !7 years old when someone opened our front door.I guess i have never gotten over that.My heart still hurts.I have a Chiwawa,sorry can't spell that.He is the apple of my eye.he's about 5 years old now and so loves me.you are a great great person.what a loving little dog she was.
THE STORY BROUGHT TEARS TO
THE STORY BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. I AM HAPPY THAT YOU WAS ABLE TO LET HER SPEND SOMETIME WITH YOU. YOU SOUND LIKE A VERY NICE PERSON MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU.
I am crying my eyes out
I am crying my eyes out reading Gretchens story, I rescued a little doxie (Daphne)over 15 yrs ago from some college students that purchased her as a pup and tied her outside in cold west virginia, they were being evicted and were going to take her to the pound! She fit right in with my then 6 children whom are all grown now and she has been my littlest child. She passed away this past Monday at the age of 16, it is so hard. She follwed me throughout the house, watched tv and slept with me. Now I have lost my best friend and my littlest angel, she and Gretchen look so much alike. How could anyone have kept her for so long and then just dumped her. Thank god she found a soul like you to take care of her in her final days. Thats why I prefer animals over humans, as said they are "man's BEST friend". I know she loved and appreciated all the love and care you gave her and I am sure she will bewaiting for you, like my little Daphne will be waiting for me:(
Hi there, My name is
Hi there,
My name is Marthese Tonna and I come from a little island in the Mediterranean Sea called Malta.I know what you must be going through. I had to do the same with my darling Mitch. He was only 9 years old. When he was four years old he was paralysed from his hind legs due to a nerve strangulation between the spinal discs. Unfortunately, over here in Malta Europe, our vets do not operate on such cases, don't ask me why as I asked this question myself a million times. After taking care of my baby day and night 24 hours around the clock for 5 years, I woke up one morning to find that he can't lift himself on his front legs and was moving his head with great effort. I took him to the vet and she moved her head as if to say there is nothing else we can do. She gave him a shot and I took him home again but the next morning, I could tell by the look in Mitch's eyes that he was saying 'Let Me Go' and that is what I did. I am crying my eyes out at the moment writing this, people must think I'm stupid but I'm not and I know you will definitely understand. He was my little boy and gave me so much love in return, especially during the years of his disability. He every little thing i did for him he thanked me. Words were the only thing he needed but we still understood each other. Rest in peace my little darling. I miss you!!!
Thanks for taking care of little Gretchen....you are an Angel!!!
Your truely a beautiful
Your truely a beautiful person! Thank god for people like you...
Some people deserve to be
Some people deserve to be abandoned at age 80.
Gretchen's story touched my heart. I have an 18-year-old who is now blind and mostly deaf. I'm not sure anyone's home any more, but she has a home as long as she isn't in pain. A few soiled carpets aren't a problem--Daffy's given so much of herself in the past six years I've had her.
She was orphaned--her human mom died suddenly and she came to live with Duke (my now 11-year-old black-and-tan)and me. He took to her immediately, but she was so quiet and reserved we couldn't tell how she felt. It took years for me to realize that she had been abused and it took her a long time to trust me. It wasn't until one of her former family came to visit his aunt (my next-door neighbor) that I came to this realization--she took one look at him and hustled herself to the back door. She was okay as long as I held her, but if I put her down, she headed for the door again.
I'm glad Gretchen had you. It's important for our canine senior citizens have love at the end of their lives.
I STARTED TO TEAR UP AT MY
I STARTED TO TEAR UP AT MY DESK AT WORK WHEN I READ THIS, BECAUSE I TOO WENT THROUGH A SIMILIAR SITUATION LAST YEAR WITH MY PRECIOUS LITTLE DAISY- I ADOPTED HER FROM A FRIENDS BOSS AT THE AGE OF 8 YRS, SHE HAD BEEN ABUSED AND WAS SCARED OF ALL MEN... WE INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE AND SHE WAS THE MOST AMAZING DOG EVER- SHE HAD SO MUCH LOVE TO GIVE ME!! I ALSO ONLY HAD HER FOR 7 SHORT MONTHS UNTIL I FOUND OUT SHE HAD SEVERAL CHRONIC CALCATED DISCS IN HER BACK AND SHE WAS IN SOOOO MUCH AGONY ON MORPHINE I HAD TO PUT HER DOWN... I AM JUST NOW HEALED ENOUGH I THINK TO ADOPT ANOTHER LITTLE DOXIE ANGEL INTO MY LIFE AND HEART!! THANKS FOR BEING SO CARING AND LOVING TO THIS PRECIOUS PUP!! NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THIS WORLD!! :)
GOD BLESS YOU BENNY. I AM SO
GOD BLESS YOU BENNY. I AM SO TOUCHED BY THIS LITTLE STORY.
A FELLOW ANIMAL/DOXIE MOM
As I read all these pages my
As I read all these pages my eyes fill with tears.I still have my doxie,she's only 2yrs 8mos old and the apple of my eye.It's awful to lose a pet,I know, I've lost a few in my life time.I'm 55 now & I'm sure I'll lose a few more before all is said & done.I'm sorry you had to lose yours I don't think it was time.God Bless & Keep You.
I always wonder how the
I always wonder how the senior dogs are able to cope with being abandoned after so many years. Ginger is so attached to my family that she literaly gets sick with seperation anxiety if we're gone just a bit.
Hopefully Gretchen can forgive her family and meet them someday at the bridge.
I just have to say,"she was
I just have to say,"she was so beautiful".To be honest when I read this story it almost made me cry.I was so close to it.I at the current moment have a dachshund thats 3months old and i dont ever wanna imagine that shes gonna get to that stage someday,either because of a problem or just old age. All I have to say is Gretchen is in a beautiful place,called "heaven".
Three days ago I too had to
Three days ago I too had to make the decision to let my TARZY go. He was 17 years old but I only had him for 8 months. He came to me as a rescue but I knew most of his background. He had some health issues but he was one of the most determind little dogs I have ever met. I am so sorry for your loss but I think Gretchen found the friend she needed in you and you in her! Take care and remember that you can love a dog a life time in a short time that is one of there special abilities.
This just made a big 'ol
This just made a big 'ol lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I have 2 young Dachshunds, Juno and Jasmine. Jasmine looks just like a pup Gretchen. I can't wait to get home "everyday" to be with them. I just want spoil them rotten. We are permanently linked. I just hope they out live me...cuz losing them would just devastate me.
Gretchen looked just like my
Gretchen looked just like my Cookie. Just now I removed Penny from the adoption list....2 Saturdays ago Penny was euthanized....she was truly trying, but it seems she injured herself again and was in pain...although she was so happy go lucky I think she had accepted it....but she she still could not control her bowels...I have never been so heart broken over a pet before.
My husband has created a beautiful grave near the house for her and I visit with her every day ...although her little face will remain in my memory always.
We still have Cookie, our black and tan, and 2 cats.....the cats always loved Penny best, because she loved to play with them. We had Penny for about 3-4 years....but will miss her forever.
Oh my, she looks exactly
Oh my, she looks exactly like my 10 year old, Duchess!!!! I cried, too, when I read this. My kids are concerned about me when they think something might happen to my Duchie. The kids don't think I could survive....they might be right. I love my baby sooo much. I have grown 4 kids, and she is the joy in my life! So sorry for your loss!
Foster Dad: you are a saint!
Foster Dad: you are a saint!