Benny's Barktique, our online store (it's Amazon!)
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...
Foster Dad: you are a saint!
Foster Dad: you are a saint!