Compassionate Care Home Pet Euthanasia Service, Portland

In Memory of Nicki (AKA Nickers, AKA Nippers, AKA Puppy Girl) (2002-2013)

lori — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:45:41 +0000

You came into my life on October 5, 2004. You were the dog that was meant for me and you brought me joy for nine years. You were a one woman dog with two existential questions: ‘Are you going somewhere and am I going with you?’ & ‘ Are you eating something good and am I getting some?’ When I adopted you at the age of two, I was told that you really needed to bond with someone, and bond we did, like glue. I always said that I couldn’t lose you if I tried. You finally had your person and you were not about to lose me. On a hike, you could go off and follow your nose but you never lost track of where I was. You were a gourmet sniffer. You did ‘crazy circles’ to express your joy. You loved to chase the dog who was chasing the ball, and you were fast! (And the occasional body block with the right dog in your younger years!) You refused to believe you were a water dog even though you had webbed paws. You had a mind of your own and always knew which way you wanted to go on a walk. You would stop, plant yourself, and stubbornly insist on your way, but if I took you off the leash and said ‘Fine, go the way you want. I’ll meet you at home!’, you would happily change your mind and follow me anywhere. You weren’t going anywhere without me. You were a dominant female as far as dogs went, but completely non-threatening to cats, which worked so beautifully with your feline sister and brothers who consistently voted you the most popular one in the house! You loved an unfixed male; meeting one was always a special treat! Your demeanor was so calm (People always commented on that, along with your sweetness, your incredible ‘melt a heart’ eyes, and the expressive golden eyebrows). At the end, you handled illness with such grace and dignity, never giving up, making the best of every situation. I miss you so very much and yet your presence is still so strong. As I always told you, ‘You are the best puppy of ALL the puppies!’, and remember, ‘I ALWAYS come home to my Nippers!’ When the time comes, I’ll be coming to get you, and yes, you have permission to come running full speed and knock me on my butt. I know you’re looking forward to it!

Rita Smith, Portland Oregon

In Memory of Glory

lori — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:29:01 +0000

“Mourning Glory”

“Glory Delore the one we adore”

you are the kindest gentlest sweetest soul.

Thank you for choosing us to be apart of your pack family.

We will love you forever and ever.- Mom, Dad and your Boy

Glory gave us all so much unconditional love laughter and fun!

I am so blessed by having her in my life.

The sweetest girl ever!

This is a celebration of her life.

Even at the end her sweet beautiful spirit made me feel loved.

Thank you dear Glory.

First and foremost Glory was my friend.

Her heart was so full of joy you could not help but fall in love with her.

I think she was born to emanate joy and love and I am so grateful to her for that.

I find peace knowing she is home now.

I will miss her deeply

Amber Michaelson, Portland, OR

In Memory of Sheppie

lori — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 05:01:28 +0000

Sheppie Remembered

Our remembrance for our sweet dog Sheppie. A truly wonderful friend who departed this earth today peacefully and with love surrounding her.

Hello I am now in Heaven with my angel dog pack and Jesus

Love never ends it just changes form – We Love You Dear Sheppie

Love of good food and kitty treats!

“Life exists on many levels, from spiritual to physical, and Love creates all life through its desire for experience. It is the nature of love to attract, communicate, and to form agreeable pathways for exchange. It is also the nature of love to know itself AS love, and to secure its integrity with a sanctuary known only to itself. Long before there were any forms or activities that you would recognize as life, these attributes of love were well in place and generating the future of all existence. The attracting power of love causes aggregation and coherence. Its communicative power causes exchange; and the recognition of inner integrity is the basis of BEING.”

Blessings to you on your next journey dearest Sheppie we miss you very much.

- Gayle Wainwright and family, Molalla, OR

In Memory of Cedar

lori — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 07:36:36 +0000

Our Sweet, Sweet, Super Ceed-

Some dogs are really good dogs, but then there are those like Cedar -
who are flat out amazing!

You are forever in our hearts and will never be replaced.

If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever!

We love you buddy & we know you found the room with all the babies.

Michelle & Greg Hemer, Milwaukie, OR

In Memory of Lady

lori — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:13:57 +0000

“I’ll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge”

Lady, a black and white Border Collie mix, passed away on April 27th of this year with the gentle assistance of Dr. Jennifer.

It has taken me over 6 months to write this memorial for our dear dog. The sadness is getting better, but not a day goes by where we are either thinking about her or talking about her. Lady was a trusted companion for our teenagers, a faithful running buddy for me, and walking partner for my husband. She was truly a cherished member of our family.

We adopted Lady from a kill shelter 14 years ago. Sadly, she was days from being euthanized. I was instantly taken by her intelligent eyes and her enthusiast energy. We took her home, gave her quality food to help her gain weight, and helped her regain her health. No words can describe what an incredible dog she was. I called her my marathon dog as she helped me train for 15 full marathons, 8 half marathons, 2 ironman, and several other running and triathlon events. She was in such good shape that her heart rate was 60 her entire life. This is very low for a 67 pound dog. In fact, the vet was a bit alarmed but soon gave a little chuckle when I told him her activity level. I told him that she was running and walking about 50 miles a week. We also discovered, after doing a hip x-ray when she was 13 years old, that she had 34 buckshot in her left leg! Apparently, she was shot in the leg as a young pup before we adopted her. Again, the vet chuckled and made a statement about what an amazing dog she was.

Lady was not only a gifted running dog, but also my husband’s ever ready walking partner. He and Lady walked in snow, pouring down rain, and all kinds of weather. She was hardy and loved being outside by Greg’s side. She often sensed when he had a hard day at work. Her answer to bad days were to sit by his side and lean on him. Then she would bark at him as if to say, “let’s go on a walk!”

She continued to amaze us through her long life. She was not only a physically strong but also intelligent. She went on several family vacations and has stayed with us in many vacation homes and hotels. She has even stayed at the Marriott in Whistler, BC! She had it all figured out that if she behaved in new places and new situations that she got to go with the family.

During our children’s teenage years, she was a source of strong comfort for my son and daughter. She always had a sense of when my teenage children had a hard day. Her answer was to follow them up to their rooms and dole out comfort by sitting by their side or to nuzzle under their arms. We give her lots of credit for helping our teens through those tumultuous years and often called her the third parent.

So, my dearest Lady, we will always love you. You have made an impression on our lives and on our hearts. That impression will last a lifetime. Therefore, I will not say goodbye but I will say, “see you later at the Rainbow Bridge.” It has been, beyond, a privilege to adopt you and have you for 15 years.

- Cheryl Conrad, Tigard, OR

In Memory of Zelda

lori — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 04:59:54 +0000

Zelda was my special girl, and I was her person; she was apprehensive about all other people, and it took years before she would sit on my husband’s lap….but we were forever bonded from day one. She loved to talk in multi-syllabic chirpy meows, and would do so as long as you interacted with her. She had a raspy, distinctive voice….what my husband called a “smoker’s meow”. I will miss our conversations, and the way she curled up on me whenever I sat or slept. She was special. She really was my baby. And I am forever grateful that she shared her life with me. Zelda, my sweet baby girl; you blessed my life for 16 years, and I will miss you always. Mama loves you!!!

Jen Lein, Portland, OR

In Memory of Milo

lori — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 05:26:55 +0000

Thanks for the memories my little Buddy…I cried so hard when you left us and hope to be smiling soon when I think of all the joy you have given us. You were the best friend to both Daddy and me for 18 years and we couldn’t have asked for a better friend. The past few years you had stopped recognizing affection, lost your sight and hearing and began to wander aimlessly throughout the house. We saw your struggles everyday just to exist and cried when we watched you use the walls in the house to find your water dish, and your favorite place, the king size bed you spent the majority of time in these past few months. Even though your little sister was a pest, she loved you too and she will be lost without her big brother around to pester. You will never be replaced, you are in our hearts forever and you will be solely missed my little Milo. Thanks so much for all your years of love and affection and rest peacefully my little buddy. I love you…..

Barb and Dan MacNeil, Vancouver, WA

In Memory of Gracie

lori — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:49:54 +0000

Our sweet Gracie passed away in my arms this morning. Her Daddy, Uncle Jerry, and Auntie Lulu were all joining me in wishing her farewell. Her sister Sophie who was her very bonded and life-long friend lay beside her. Little Penny laid on my legs at Gracie’s feet. Chelsea and Faith looked on in Auntie Lulu’s arms. Gracie waged a courageous battle against canine lymphoma and had 19 extra months of quality life thanks to the loving care of Melanie Mc Mahon, DVM and techs Pam and Carol as well as all the staff at Northwest Veterinary Specialists. She was well during almost all of her months of treatment. We were told she was always a great patient.

Gracie was the foodie in our clan. She galloped rather than ran so we always referred to her as our “Galloping Gourmet”. She was always the first in line for breakfast or dinner and anything in between. As she galloped about her ears flopped endearingly with each step.

As I have said many times Gracie and I were enmeshed but we liked it that way. She was whereever I was these last 13 plus years. She would have been 14 in January. She was sweet and sometimes goofy especially as an adolescent. She occasionally got into mischief. She was skunked twice, once at 3 AM when I let her out to potty. On one occasion, during her puppyhood, my aunt and I spent over an hour cutting burrs out of her fur after she had run amuck in our giant oak forest that was our backyard in California. She was forever the watch dog looking out off our deck in Santa Rosa and our windows here in Battle Ground. She was always the first to alert us when someone was arriving.

She was a beautiful animal with a gorgeous just barely wavy thick white coat, Her tail was full and draped beautifully to the floor. Her lashes were long suggesting we should have named her Mabeline. Those eyes were beautiful, large and brown with black halos around them.

She and Sophie were always together, we called them Frick and Frack. So I have had two welcome sweet appendages about me, even to the bathroom and into bed at night. Gracie slept on a pillow in our bed above my head. She spent her last night in my arms in our family room with the soft lights of our Christmas trees. We said our goodbyes. From Gracie, I truly experienced unconditional love and loyalty. There will never be a day as long as I live that I will not feel her loss and remember her with love. She was lovingly and caringly assisted in her journey forward by Elaine Stevens DVM of Compassionate Care. She passed on looking at one of our beautiful Christmas trees sitting on the table next to her. She peacefully drifted away to join Millie, Ariel, “The Pookster” and Sera who all proceeded her.

Good bye sweet Gracie you will forever be in our hearts.

Christine (Mom to you dear heart)

Ron and Christine Broderick, Battle Ground, WA

In Memory of Isabelle

lori — Sun, 29 May 2011 05:37:26 +0000

There’s a line from a William Butler Yeats poem: “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold…” With Isabelle’s recent death, our house is painfully empty, though filled with echoes of everyday events and sense memories that haven’t yet fully made the transition from “aching” to “fond.” Little Isabelle was central to our household in ways we’re only now discovering with her absence. She was certainly central in our hearts – as was her older brother, Gus, gone only six months prior.

It was a joy over the years to watch Isabelle blossom and open up while living with us. Our first glimpse of Isabelle showed us a timid, tiny ball of black-and-white fur curled up so tightly in a dark corner of a Humane Society cage that we almost overlooked her (twice!). From that beginning we saw her become a relaxed, calm kitty who loved belly rubs, lap snuggles, sleepy-eyed morning visits at the foot of the bed, and exploring the neighborhood with her brother. We watched Isabelle mature into a feisty, confident “she who must be obeyed” who, in spite of her diminutive size, nonetheless patrolled our property daily, running off any interlopers she deemed unworthy, and who told her humans in no uncertain terms when to go to bed and just who could snuggle whom. And we were thrilled to witness her late-in-life manifestation as “Adventure Cat,” the only one of all our cats to see the Pacific Ocean and walk among the California redwoods.

And it’s been an equal joy to realize how deeply Isabelle impacted us. The idea that cats train their humans certainly isn’t original with us. But in our household we’ve added a twist: the notion that cats not only train their humans, but mark them with a paw-print on the forehead — invisible to humans but readily apparent to cats, like the feline equivalent of a hobo’s mark on a house during the Great Depression. The more cat-accomodating the human, the deeper the paw-print.

My paw-print is quite deep these days. Though it started forming long ago, it was Isabelle who refined it, deepened it, lovingly and dutifully polished it over more than 14 years. Even though I can’t see it myself, I’m proud of this paw-print. It’s a mark of the reciprocal love Isabelle and I had for one another. And it’s a reminder of the lessons I learned from her, such deceptively simple, zen-inflected lessons as “Take the time to relax and do nothing: be a cat.” And I know that my wife Mary bears a similar paw-print herself.

Thank you for your time with us, Isabelle Dolores. Thank you for choosing to live with us, for calling us your friends, for gracing us with your poise, your calm dignity, and most of all your love.

We will always miss you, little one. We will always love you. We will always treasure your memory, and wear your paw-print proudly.

- Colin and Mary Cameron, Portland OR

In Memory of Cyrus

lori — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 05:16:20 +0000

In Memory of Cyrus, August 2000 – April 2011

April 1, 2011: Today I had to say a final goodbye to my beautiful feline companion, Cyrus. It’s been a hard few weeks with the decision put off several times. He gave me more than ten years of love, warmth, playfulness, and loyalty. Among his cat-quirks, he loved to sit on the edge of the tub, and walk around in the water as the tub emptied. He greeted all my friends at the door with an upturned face for a kitty kiss. That cat could read my mind, and was my stalwart sentinel through four surgeries, and many other challenges.

Over the years, Cyrus soldiered through his own surgeries, and two months of chemo last winter with amazing aplomb. The cancer has won out, but I had an extra four years of his quiet presence. In the end, I am glad that I waited for today. On this warm day, he got to lay in the sun, and sit on the windowsill and feel the breeze.

For those who especially appreciated Cyrus and his place in my life, remembrances/donations to Animal Aid (http://www.animalaidpdx.org/) or the Oregon Humane Society (http://www.oregonhumane.org/) are welcome.

Marcy Jacobs, Portland, OR