In Memoriam

We think of Grateful Dogs Rescue as an extended family made up of our dedicated volunteers, our wonderful adopters, and of course our beloved canine companions. We celebrate together, and we mourn together. On this page we honor the lives of the dogs we have loved and lost.

To memorialize your dog, please send a story and picture to info@gratefuldogsrescue.org  Stories may be edited for length.

This page is dedicated to Archie and Decca.

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Dear Grateful Dogs Rescue,

I don't know if you remember her, but I adopted Tess from you in August of 1994.  Tess and I loved one another for 16+ years, and I wanted to thank you for saving her life, so long ago.

We put Tess down on Tuesday, October 5, 2010.  Given that she was fully grown when I adopted her, she is estimated to have been at least 17 years old.  I have never known a dog with so much zest for life.  When I adopted her from you, I had another rescue dog, Guinness.  Guinness was a large dog, perhaps a Springer and Golden Retriever mix (black and white, long hair, docked tail).  Guinness and Tess became fast friends, and I attribute to Tess the fact that Guinness (who had gotten sedate far too early) got a new lease on life, after Tess came in to the family.  I often took them to Fort Funston, which, incidentally, was where I met you and Tess the first time.

You told me that you had visited Tess at the SF ACC, and then returned the following day to adopt her (hours before she was to be put down).  You said that what decided you, was the fact that, as sick as Tess was (she had sarcoptic mange, a fever, and diarrhea), Tess was pressed up against the front of the enclosure to greet you, wagging her tail.  (That was so very like her, I came to know.)

In 1999, our family expanded again to include my human sweetie, and, in 2000, we all moved to Berkeley.  Sadly, we put Guinness down in 2004, but have enjoyed a lovely single-dog relationship with Tess, since.  While we've decided not to adopt another dog, just yet -- we'd like to get some unencumbered traveling in -- we are, nonetheless, experiencing a huge hole where Tess was.  She was, as a friend put it, a feisty-sweet love, and her extreme athleticism, boldness, enthusiasm, terrier-based incorrigibility, and joie-de-vivre are fond memories for us.  She was much loved, and is much missed.

Thank you, so much, for saving her from premature euthanasia, and for the good work that you do for so many dogs.

Rhodes L. Bruns

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Karma was 8 ½ when she was rescued by Grateful Dogs from the streets of Northern California. She was road stained, thirsty, hungry, with heartworm (twice), black goop impacted ears, tips of her ears chewed by bugs, and 80% toothless, and had just had another litter.

Read more about Karma and the fundraising artwork created in her memory.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/lkj-art/karma/103675273031507

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Sailor was born on a farm in Fallon, NV. He comes from 6 generations of pure breed Yorkshire Terriers. At 2-3/4 pounds and 7 weeks old I brought him home. He quickly adapted to city life where he lived to be 8-1/2 years old.

Sailor was a big dog trapped in a little dog's body. He had no idea he was only 5 pounds. He loved people, playing ball, tug of war with the daily growl, his stuffed dogs of all varieties (he had a special bond with his gray poodle). He chewed his bully sticks for hours and much appreciated it if you'd hold one end for him for better leverage. He knew sit, stay, roll over, down and play dead. He was a believer that anyone who came to our house was there for him. He was the center of attention.

Over the years he had several traumatic accidents. He broke his leg at 9 months old when a bunch of puppies got on top of him when he was hoarding all the balls in doggy daycare, a friend's cat ripped open his thigh. The worst was when my cousin's dog bit his right eye out. It was awful. However, it did not keep him down. He was always full of life, spirit and over time he was able to accept some dogs back in his life.

When we lost him in October to a belly disease we knew we'd always love and remember him. Knowing we could not replace him and were not ready to have another dog, we joined Grateful Dogs Rescue in November to help other dogs who needed homes. Three days into fostering Thomas a big chihuahua mix we decided to adopt him. It's the best thing we could have done for us and for Thomas. We continue to volunteer with GDR as every dog deserves a loving forever home.

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Archie
1999 – August 2, 2009
Jean Kind 

Archie was born in 1999, but his life really began in May 2004 when he was adopted from San Francisco Animal Care and Control by Jean Kind.

Archie was a stray who waited for months at the shelter for someone to give him a home. But he was always overlooked for smaller, cuter, fluffier dogs. On that special day in May, Jean decided that if Archie still hadn’t found his forever home, she would adopt him. Luckily for them both, he was still there.

Archie loved his daily walks at the local parks. He loved people and made friends with everyone. He was adored by other dogs and was a gentle presence wherever he went. In June 2009, Archie was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer. He died two months later on Sunday, August 2, 2009. Archie will be missed, loved and remembered forever.

In Archie’s memory, Grateful Dogs Rescue has created Archie’s Fund to benefit our special needs and sanctuary dogs. Archie was a unique, wonderful dog. But his story of being lost, abandoned and possibly abused is all too common. Despite his difficult beginnings, Archie was devoted to Jean; he loved her above all and they shared a special bond. Archie’s Fund is dedicated to caring for dogs who are the most in need and honoring their special, unique lives.

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