Epil-K9 Memorial 2003

Friend of Mine

Little pup with colored spots
come and herd the flock with me

Little spotted dog of mine
Come and spend the day with me

We will roam the sweeping field
We will chase the wild wild wind
We will follow home the flock
They will lead the way

Little friend whose love I feel
Come and trample through the snow
Show me where the winter ends
Help me find the spring again
Never mind the night is near
We will wait the sun's return
Love and trust is what you gave
I shall keep the flame alive'

Unknown Navajo American Indian

You came into my life as an answer to prayer.
I needed you - a purpose for living.
You were so tiny, and so sick when you came. But, through all your struggles,
you taught me to laugh again, to love again, and I'm forever grateful.
Casey, my beautiful little "Mighty Mouse," you went away much too early. I can never put into words how much I miss you.
Miss watching you soar off the end of the porch in hot pursuit of a "fluffy tail."
Miss hearing you sass, as you needed to have the last word.
Miss hearing you sing me a song.
Miss seeing your face curl up when you laughed.
I hope you felt some comfort and love in my arms as you left to cross over the Bridge,
and I pray it's a place of freedom and friendship for you.
You gave me so many precious moments to treasure, but the most loving gift
was the dog you sent to take your place the very day you left.
Play with the others until I join you all. Give them my best hugs.
Thank you, my sweet Prancing Prince.
I shall always love you.

I pray the Bridge is real and that you are waiting there for us.
No matter how bad my day was you
always knew when and how to make me laugh.
You were loving, kind, gentle and intelligent.
I miss your face, your grin, your snarl,
your kisses, and you telling me about your day.
Letting you go was the hardest thing we have ever done.
A part of us went with you.
You will always be in our hearts.
You will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace and health.
Dance and ride the wind.
We love and miss you Hubba,

Rosie

CGC, TDI, TDIA, TDIAOV, DSR
June 27, 1990 - January 25, 2003

Godspeed sweet Rosebud --
Your pawprints will dance gently
in our hearts forever.

Until we meet again.......

From the warmth of a companion
We basked in your love

Waiting

for
David & Louise

14-08-1995 13-02-2003

Fenix you were the love of my life.
A beautifull lady, full of love and happiness
Till the monster epilepsy came.
You changed and slowly the light went out of your eyes.
You no longer had fun in your life anymore.
I know we will meet again.
We miss you dearly.
Bye for now my love.

My sweet Sara Lee
Always a smile on your face
Our walks were so special to both of us
I'll never forget the way your fur danced as you trotted
Or the time you sat with me when I fell until I was able to get up
Always eager to give love
You always listened to my problems
And made me feel like you understood everything I said
You couldn't pass a stream or puddle without taking a dip
Thank you for always being there
And for loving me so much
I love you Sara Lee
I'll always miss you
I can't wait to see you again
Love, Mom, Dad & Sisha

Bubby George
You and your rocks
I never saw a dog who loved rocks more than you
You couldn't eat your food without a rock in your bowl
You wore your teeth down to the nubs with your rocks
The alpha in our pack
The Nubtoothed Pack
You were such a sweet boy
Always eager to play catch
Even when you could hardly see from old age
You still wanted to play
We sent you to the bridge after palying with you and you octopus
You had a great life & we are glad we shared it with you
We love you Bubby
We'll alwasy miss you
Till we see each other again

U-CD, Epris' Jump Start, CDX, CGC

Belgian Tervuren

Bang

Do not stand by my grave and weep
I am not there, I do no sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand by my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep....
And there shall come a day....in spring
when death and winter lose their chill,
white hold quite suddenly....
A day of sunlit air when winging birds
return and earth her gentle bosoms bare
so that new, thirsty life may nurture there.
That breathless hour....so filled with warm,
soft miracles, that faith is born anew.
On such a day....I shall return to you
you may not touch me....no, for you have
thought of me as dead.
But in the silence lift believing eyes
toward the dear infinity of skies,
and listen....with your very soul held still,
for you will hear me on some little hill,
advancing with the coming of the year.
Not far away....not dead....not even gone.
The day will suddenly be filled with
immortality and song, and without
stirring from your quiet place,
your love will welcome mine....
across the little space, and we will
talk of every lovely thing....
when I return....in spring.

In my heart you quickly crept
In my heart you'll always stay
I thought it was you that needed me
But it is I that need you
Lost forever I will always be
My constant companion has now left me
My heart is broken beyond repair
But in my heart you'll always be there
My sweet funny girl who always had a smile
So gentle you were with other little creatures
Like the baby bird you followed thru the woods
And would ever so gently touch it with your nose
The same way you did with the baby bunny
The more you endured the sweeter you became
I learned so much from you
You gave me so much
I will always love and miss you Minnie Lee
My Little Tooties
Love Mommy & Daddy

Tim & Vicesaha

April

Ace

October 24 1995 - April 6 2003

How can I begin to tell you how much I miss you? When you came into my life, I didn't know what an impact you would have on me. You were this cute spunky little furball that won me over within minutes...me, the one that always had big strong dogs, not little fluffy poodles. You showed me that size does not matter, it's the heart that counts. You knew me and loved me anyway. It broke my heart when you started having seizures, but we learned to accept it and keep going. When we got your seizures "under control", I still worried about you but we still kept going. When I had to tell you goodbye, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I miss the little growls I heard when I stopped rubbing you before you wanted me to. I miss the paws pulling at me and those soft brown eyes looking at me. I love you and miss you so terribly, but I know that you are free and waiting for me at the Bridge.

Willow

July 31, 1989 – April 18, 2003

I Believe
Every now and then,
Soft as breath upon my skin,
I feel you come back again….
And it's like you haven't been,
Gone a moment from my side.
Like the tears were never cried,
Like the hands of time are holding you and me.
And with all my heart I'm sure,
We're closer than we ever were.
I don't have to hear or see,
I've got all the proof I need.
There are more than angels watching over me.
I believe, Oh, I believe….
Now when you die your life goes on,
It doesn't end here when you're gone.
Every soul is filled with light,
It never ends and if I'm right.
Our love can even reach across eternity,
I believe, Oh, I believe….
Forever, you're a part of me.
Forever, in the heart of me.
I will hold you even longer if I can.
Oh the people who don't see the most,
See that I believe in ghosts.
And if that makes me crazy, then I am...
'Cause I believe.......
Oh, I believe.…
There are more than angels watching over me.
I believe, Oh, I believe….
Every now and then,
Soft as breath upon my skin,
I feel you come back again.
And I believe….

(by Diamond Rio)

Waiting

for

Sue

May

Jackie

Dec. 1997 - 9 May 2003

You had a zest for life, so full of intelligence, bounce, mischief and gladness. You were one, but there were many doggies in that little body.
Always busy, nosy and looking for action with your tail in the air like an antenna.
You hardly ever walked - it was always a trot or a run. And your run resembled that of a lioness.
On your rare quiet moments you would stare so knowingly at me as if wondering why you are not also human!

Then epilepsy became part of your life. It scared you too - you knew when the monster was coming.
The medication slowed you down. No more "Jack in the box" and no more "Jumping Jack Flash". But you tried so hard to be your old self.
And then, you went so sudden and so fast in a time when your seizures were becoming further apart.

My only comfort is to know that you were busy with something you loved - your highlight of the day. And that I was with you, holding your dying little body and also holding your lifeless body against my heart - as if you were sleeping.

I miss you so, my Girl.
But you are happy now
Your old self again
Jumping and running and being happy -

being Jackie.

Waiting

for

Ilse

Taro Bear

March 17 1992 - May 12 2003

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.
I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
were animals of every sort, as healthy as could be!
My own tired failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm all right,
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.
'Twas the glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
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 Rainbow and listen with your heart.

by Barbara for Buddy

Waiting

for

Kent, Dianna, Timber & Zackary

KaO Fasano

June 7, 1999 - May 12, 2003

Our special boy touched our lives in ways that are indescribable.

Our pain and sorrow at his passing pale though in comparison to the joy and love he gave to our lives.

We will miss him and long for the day that we will be reunited.

He is now free of the terrible monster and for that we are grateful.

We shall always miss our ãbudä.Good bye KaO, for now·.

Waiting

for

Michael, Michele & sister Champion

Crumpet

Lisa and Karin

Skye

January 4 1995 - May 28 2003

She loved life, I wish she could have lived forever. She was the centre of my
life and when she left a light went out - I'll always miss her, and I'm grateful
that God lent her to me for 8 short years

Waiting

for

Anne

June

Patches

June 28, 2001 – June 17, 2003

Beloved friend and companion, thank you for blessing our lives with your presence. Although you were with us for just a very short time you have given us all, many lifetimes of memories. Missed most are your beautiful brown eyes, your playfulness, your compassion, your loving kisses and yes even your snoring and pushing in bed. If you should go for a walk with an angel please be sure to visit all of us in our dreams. We would love to see you and know that you are finally the healthy little girl you deserve to be, but please don’t pull too hard.
Your boy Jessee misses you lying next to him so much at bed time and your good morning kisses when it was time for him to wake up. Mommy does so miss your cuddling next to her on the couch when ever we would watch TV, and I miss hearing you sing when I would rub and scratch your belly. We can’t say enough how much you’re missed by all of us even Coco (the rabbit). However, the stray, scared, little, “Fluffy”, puppy that you adopted into your house can’t understand why you aren’t here anymore. She looks for her big sister outside the window all the time and looks for you at the mention of your name. You will always be truly loved and missed our little girl so please visit us often and be sure to lay your head on our pillows. Just try to leave the rest of us a little piece of the bed, please.

Love always

Mommy, Daddy, Jessee, Fluffy and Coco.

July

Ch Jona. CD

Jona

August 17 1999 -July 2 2003

Baby girl, you were loved beyond measure and you are missed beyond words.

Mom and Tristan

August

Tass

May 1988 - August 2003

Tass I'll miss your scrunchy "polar bear" ears and your snubby nose.Whilst
you weren't the most affectionate of dogs and only really came for a proper cuddle just once in your lifetime, you filled our lives for many years with humour and sometimes great frustration. Although you were a bit of a
tyrant with our other dogs, with humans you were nothing less than the most
friendly of huskies and were loved by those who met you over the years.
Certainly we will never forget your lifelong habit of eating what the other
dogs had left behind and the family catchphrase for visitors became "don't
let Tass kiss you", but that aside we loved you and will miss you.
Hopefully you enjoyed your time with us as well.

Tass, hopefully running around with lifelong friend Squeeky at the bridge!

Carolynn, David, Mishka, Oddy and Buzz

Oscar

September 1994 - August 3, 2003

We had less than two years together, but you taught me so much ...
If someone smaller challenges you to a fight, don't take them up on it.
Being silly & making people laugh can defuse a tense situation.
Friends come in all colors, shapes, sizes, & species.
Just because someone looks big, tough, and intense
doesn't mean they aren't cuddly & lovable.
Just being together is important.

You will be greatly missed.

waiting for
Janice, Pepper [epi] and the Pumpkin kitty

"Go rest high on that mountain
I know your life
on earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain."

"A million times I will miss you,
A million times I will cry
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still,
In my heart you hold a place
No other pup could ever fill"

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare dream
Really do come true
lyrics E.Y. Harburg
Run, play, fly free my little friend

You came to us from Rescue
and showed us the meaning
of unconditional love and
joyful happiness.

Your unfailing trust in us
was a wonder to behold.

You touched our lives
and hearts in a way we
could not imagine.

Your spirit is everywhere
we go. You will always
be in our hearts and thoughts.

Goodbye, gentle and
faithful friend.

Waiting

According to a Pawnee legend, a great council is held whenever a human being seeks growth or spiritual counsel, or is in need of an animal friend. The council considers which animal would be best for that person and sends the animal to that person. Sometimes it may be just a brief encounter; while walking you see an animal and feel better for it or receive an insight. Many times the animal sent is a stricken or helpless creature, to encourage the person to care for it. According to legend, this is why so many people who have taken in stray animals come to feel that the animal they almost didn't rescue became the most precious being they know, and that the day they found him or her was the luckiest day of their lives. (Taken from the book Animal Angels by Stephanie Laland.)

My baby boy Tucker, we miss you so much. You truly were what I needed in 95 when we found you dumped on the street right in front of my Dad's nursing home. I truly believe you were sent to us in that time of need when my Dad was dying. We found you in March and Dad passed in April but it was really hard to be depressed and sad when we had you around goofing off around the house like you did. You taught me so many life lessons and for that I will always hold you in my heart. I still can't believe how after so many tests and blood work you were always still so happy to go in and see the vet. I think I would have been afraid and trying to bite everyone I saw. Even when you were so sick in the end you were still the beautiful pup I had always known. Even then you were a champ taking your meds and getting your shot for the diabetes and never snapping or being nasty. I am so grateful the seizure monster stayed away from you for 5 years. At least you had some time here playing with Mollie and us not having the dreadful disease to worry about. You even learned how to swim in those years! I know you are waiting for us at the Bridge and even though life will never be the same without you I am so grateful that the Great Council decided to send you to us. We'll love you forever and remember the life lessons you taught us. That was your precious gift to us. I'll be waiting for your sloppy kisses when we meet at the bridge!

Branco my love,
You brought an extra dimension into my life the moment I laid eyes on you,Cutest little white pup you were, nipping at people's heels
You grew up and stayed white, hence your Flemish nick-name "Witte"...
Your first seizure almost scared me to death, you were only 9 months at the time.
I never really came to terms with you being epileptic, you did though,
You used to look at me with those beautiful trusting brown eyes,
Telling me "It's OK mom, we can handle this!"
And we did girl, no more seizures in the last 2 1/2 years of your life :-)
We couldn't get away with that without some bad repercussions: major surgery, removing a
kidney and a huge tumor attached to it. Later on sudden blindness and impaired hearing, constant
bumping into furniture...Finally total lack of appetite, it was as if you had given up the fight,
although you kept on doing your constant jogging in the yard, in the shade of the willow tree...
Then the day of doom: stomach torsion....you were in such pain, you were howling, the only thing that could
be done was put you out of your misery, free you from the horrible suffering...
Branco girl, my Witte, I miss touching your soft fur, I miss you "tout court", and I know I'm not the only one....

Loving you forever,
waiting
for
Chris, Jef, Tara, Bonnie, Kiki, Sloeber and friends

Most of the times you were such a dignified little lady in your strong, quiet and peaceful way, Other times I called you my little streetwise wanderer - for taking any chance you can to go and investigate the pavements – even jumping out of our moving vehicle! Every new doggy-encounter was greeted with a wagging tail and sometimes resulted in a lick through the face. You were Jean-Pierre’s pal – accompanying him on his bicycle when he delivered the newspaper. And even then you jumped out of his arms – once to catch a mouse and the other time you fractured your leg so we didn’t know what you were after! I never knew what a good swimmer you were until you decided to swim 50 meters into the Indian Ocean to go and investigate the different looking birds on the rocks. You were also a real little mother – grooming your sister Grumpy and even little kittens. You were always so gentle, friendly and loving – thank you for showing us how we should be.
My dear little Lady, we miss you.
For 17 years and 7 months you were so intimately a part of our lives. But you are young and healthy again - investigating your new surroundings with your personal agenda – as always!

July 1998, It was love at first sight. I was told youonly had one day to live, that you were to be put to sleep because you had kennel cough Never had I seen a dog so covered in fleas and so skinny. God only knows how long you were on the streets. You were always a troubled dog, my "Wild Indian" as the ER techs called you. People told me then I should get rid of you, but they would never understand the love and bond we have; so I got rid of them. You loved to go to parks with me and play with your Land Shark (stuffed toy). It gave you great pleasure to rip them up and watch me sew them back together for you. You wanted to fly and every chance you got you would try to catch birds, or planes, especially the blimp when it flew over.

October 2000, at age 3 you had your first seizure. Your illness brought me closer to you, as only caretakers of epileptic dogs can know. Now I have a whole new life of friendships, knowledge and places to go. You picked out Kido at the time your seizures started and who would know your legacy of love would now be helping us to heal. Through your trials, others may know and maybe just maybe we will help someone. It was never easy for you and many times I thought we would loss this battle only to come back and fight again. Your battle took on new fronts and in the end, was it Epilepsy, IBD, Pancreatitis, Liver failure, or stomach cancer that would win, the answer is unknown. The most amazing thing is that you would never give in. But on that final day as I looked into your eyes, the pain was too much to bear and I new you wanted it to end. There was no more fighting and as I sat and sang to you in the vets office, it was then I knew, as you looked up at me with those Golden eyes and smiled, that you knew it was the end.

I will forever hold close to my heart many things about you. Your chasing lizards with such intent and joy. The way you laid your head upon my feet as I watched TV or worked on the computer. How you would get excited and jump in my lap when I would laugh, especially while in chat. The way you would put your head between my neck and shoulder, trying to wake me just a few minutes early for your breakfast, 5:45am was always just too long a wait. The way you would come up on the couch and nuzzle up to me saying Mom it's dinner time, isn't it? The way you always had to have me in view and waited outside the bathroom door for me. Your panting and wiggling the bed at all hours of the night and morning. The 1-3am trips to the backyard to look at the stars and hold you while you did your business. My final night with you looking up at the full moon and thinking it would never look the same again. We packed a lifetime into your 5 short years here and an eternity of love remains. I will forever see your smiling face as I sang to you on that final day. As I held your head in one hand and caressed you with the other. As you took your final breath and rolled your eyes back at me, I kissed your face and whispered take nappies, I Love You my Golden Baby Boy. I still see you in this house and sometimes I swear I can even feel you still... This is not the end; I will see you again, till then in my heart you will dwell.

Dally-Mae, we will never forget the specialness that was you. We were better people because you were in our lives and the world won't be half of what it could be without you. You conquered more than any human would even consider, and always kept us smiling with your sense of humor. Now go and do all the wonderful things you could never do in this life. And keep that piece of our hearts that you took with you safe.....we will need it when we see you again.
Find your way in peace.......and know that you are loved.

How my life changed when I first met you. My local animal shelter called to see if I would foster a Greater Swiss Mt. Dog, They knew my love for the Bernese Mt. Dog and they thought just maybe I would be interested. I have fostered hundreds of cats but never a dog. Well, I failed at fostering dogs, because when I saw you there was no doubt in my mind you were staying! Millie you jumped out of the car and right into my heart. Angel Bear that Big Black Cat came running up to you and rubbed his body all over you as to say "I own you, this is My house". Even though you had no prior experience with cats you just sniffed him and left him alone its like you just knew Bear was the boss.

Millie, you came from a neglectful, abusive home, it took 6 months for you to truly know you were not going to be hit for having an accident in the house. When that worried look finally left your face I knew you had learned to trust again. Soon your true personality came out, your Aura was full of love, You were the clown of the family, smart, conniving, you would get what you wanted without anybody knowing it. Millie you made me Laugh every day!

I miss your BARRRROOO, it sounded like you were saying I LOVE YOUUU.

Six months after I adopted you, you had your first seizure. I had no idea you had epilepsy, our journey in to the unknown had begun. With all the help from my new friends on EPIL K-9 and your Veterinarian Dr. Linda, we were able to control your seizures for 3 1/2 years without medications. I learned to stay away from anything processed, or having chemical preservatives all triggers for you. Home cooking and Raw diets did you wonders. 10 months before you died you went into status, you pulled through to the wonders of all the Vets. The roller coaster of ups and downs for the next 7 months I would never want to go through again, having liver damage because of PB, we got you off that and on to KBR, this was the best thing we did, Millie my sweet Millie came back to me, for 3 months you were happy, bouncy and seizure free! You were stoic to the end you never showed your pain. Epilepsy didn't take you away from me but an intestinal obstruction, in a short 7 hours you went from Happy Millie to Angel Millie.

Millie the journey I took with you was amazing, I learned many things from and because of you. I learned to Trust, to Love and Laugh again. I learned about Alternative Medicine, Acupuncture and Chiropractic work, Chinese Medicine, and Massage.

God works in mysterious ways, We were meant to be together for 4 1/2 years to help each other, Thank you Millie BARRROOO to you, I Love You. till we meet again.

Waiting for Celeste, Champ, Beans and the cats, Mary Grace, Martin and Little Bear O'Malley

He was my heart dog and I will never forget him. We both
owe a special debt to the canine epilepsy list. The
information we learned on the list kept Lucas seizure free from
7/7/98 until the day he died of cancer. We thank you all.

Now cracks a nobel heart.
Good night sweet prince: and flights of angels
sing thee to thy rest!

I live among God's creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind.
My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens
Among the Dalmatians kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud
Gentle breezes rocking me
And dream the dreams of earthlings
And how it used to be.
At night I sleep in angel's arms
Her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent
And you stand at Heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait.

Clyde the Cat 1983 - 2003) Spanky 1988 to 2003
Spanky The Wonder Dog & his Buddy Clyde