JUST REMEMBER...
WE MAY NOT BE TOGETHER IN THE WAY WE USED TO BE BUT WE ARE STILL CONNECTED BY A CORD NO EYE CAN SEE... SO WHENEVER YOU NEED TO FIND ME, WE'RE NEVER FAR APART, IF YOU LOOK BEYOND THE HORIZON AND LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART.

Whiskey
Whiskey, a beloved rescue, became my son's 'seizure dog' as we found while fostering him that he was cognitive of my son's intractable seizures... Whiskey was saved by another local rescue and we fostered this strong willed trooper while caring for him while he cared for us. Whiskey was born with a defective valve to his heart so all knew that his days here on this earth were limited; however, his guesstimated 6 months ended up being 2 years with my family. Whiskey had a heart attack while doing what he loved best, running around in the back yard and playing with the other dogs. When it was time to come in, all the others came to the door but not Whiskey. The most I can be happy about is that he did not suffer; it happened so very quick and so suddenly. Little did I know the night before when giving him his bath in my roman tub that I was grooming him to go meet his maker. He was, as always, looking sharp (and smelling good) with both his ears and nails cleaned and trimmed!! Honestly, I would have never predicated that it was going to be his time as he really seemed to be in such good spirits more so of late than in times in the past. Of course, we all knew that his time with us was going to be limited due to his heart issues; however, up until the day he passed he was still being Whiskey ~ going strong, having fun and making us laugh! It, of course, has been tremendously hard on my son Niall. His 'seizure dog' held a very special place in his heart (as all of ours). I THANK ALL RESCUES for their on-going efforts for doing what they do and allowing us the time we had with Whiskey. I know when he came into his rescue organization he became very special to everyone there and both myself and my family were truly honored that they allowed us the time with Whiskey and allowed each of our lives to be touched and impacted by him.

Tanner
Tanner was The ARF Shack's first 'forever member.' Tanner came to the rescue from an outside of county animal services facility. Tanner was pulled based on the director's description of a one year old dog with an upper respiratory infection. Tanner arrived and was much more polished in his years than one years old. Upon his vet check, Tanner was estimated to be 12-13 years old, with a mouthful of rotten teeth that needed to be removed due to an extensive ignored infection ~ and ~ to boot, he was heartworm positive. Tanner was taken in ~ more matter what his age ~ loved and cared for. The first course of treatment was to get him not only a dental but to remove his unhealthy teeth in order to clear up the infection. Tanner walked away from his dental appointment with four teeth remaining... However, that did not, in any form or fashion deter this strong willed little soul. Treatment of the heartworm, however, was another issue. Due to Tanner's overall health and age, it was not medically recommended to put Tanner through any type of heartworm treatment. Doctor's orders were to treat him monthly with preventative, love him, care for him and allow him to live out the remainder of his days... So ~ we did just that!! Tanner's foster is one of our volunteers that we call a 'senior softee' and Tanner fit right in at her house. Tanner is the first member of The ARF Shack pack to cross over rainbow bridge; however, we are confident that he crossed over with a happy heart filled with love and tenderness. He passed over in the arms of the woman who he learned to love and grew to depend on... Not every 'rescue' results in a successful adoption HOWEVER every 'rescue' does result in a success in one fashion or another.

Samson
I can't believe it was seven years ago that I found my Samson in a shopping cart, abandoned at a local pet store. As often as I get angry at individuals who abandon animals, I am at least thankful that they take the time to bring them to an environment where it insures they'll be found by an animal lover. My little man was put into a dog bed which was put inside a cart and properly displayed with a beautiful blue collar (tags still attached). After having the store make announcements and assuring that he was most definitely abandoned, the store was going to call the humane society. I, however, had other plans... This was a store I rarely frequented. I felt my reasoning for being there that day, at that particular time, finding that little lost soul was somehow meant to happen. After vetting this ever growing gentle giant, I understood why someone who initially had the right intentions to love and care for him forever may have been so quickly deterred from believing that they could possibly (emotionally and/or financially) properly provide for this dog. At a very young age this rottie coon hound mix already had bad hips. When found he had severe bronchitis and unexplainable hot spots in the most unusual places. Those hot spots, it was later determined, were a result of his allergies to grass!! Who would have thunk it ~ and ~ of course his number one favorite thing in life was to barrel roll (all 120 pounds of him) in the grass like a horse out in the pasture :-) Today, seven years later, I not only still have that beautiful blue collar that was on him the day that he moved into our home, but I also have those multiple beautiful memories that Samson placed within my heart. Samson educated me on the fact that it is not the number of years you live here on this earth but it is the way each and every day of each and every one of those years that you are here, are lived, and he lived each day to the fullest. Knowing when the time had come to deter from unpreventable and/or insurmountable suffering was the hardest lesson I ever had to learn. Samson you will be forever be in our hearts. The Molloy Family

Whimsey
Whimsey came into my life a strong willed little lady of eleven years old. For whatever reason, there were only a chosen few of us within the rescue I was working with at the time in which this little spit fire would allow to hold her, pick her up and/or even open her crate to feed her (without a fight). Having one of those volunteers care for her after her medical needs were attended to surgically allowed Ms. Whimsey the ability to blossom and slowly let her guard down due to the fact that she was in a safe, secure surrounding. Then, I was asked to babysit Ms. Whimsey, while her foster mother had to travel. One week with Ms. Whimsey in my home made me truly realize what I was missing in my life. I had dogs of most sizes; however, I never had myself a little lap dog. Let alone a strong willed little lady who suffered from what I called 'big dog syndrome' at six whole pounds. What she lacked in weight, she most definitely made up for in disposition! Ms. Whimsey continued with that strong will of only allowing select individuals into her life and I was so glad to realize that I still remained to be one of them. I know it was a hard decision for her foster mom to allow Ms. Whimsey to remain with me upon her return from her travels BUT in the best interest of Ms. Whimsey she agreed. I was home most every day with a fully fenced yard for Ms. Whimsey to sun bathe. She was able to come and go as she pleased by the use of a doggie door and she was able to say good bye to pee-pee pads for good. Ms. Whimsey no longer saw the inside of a crate and she was able to spend her final days on her own princess pillow with her own little coat to keep her warm when weather required. This little lady intertwined in my heart in a manner very difficult to put into words. But I know her presence in our home made a tremendous difference for her golden years. I thank Michelle (her foster mom) for allowing me the opportunity to experience both that love and devotion that can only be explained and understood by those who knew Ms. Whimsey herself. Thank you Ms. Whimsey for teaching me that love comes in all sizes and most importantly from sources which we may very least expect. Momma Janet