Our Lucky was all “Westie”!

Lucky was strong willed, stubborn, high strung, faithful, devoted, and a loyal companion for all of her 15 plus years.

Lucky was also “a character”, a “funny girl”, “noble like a queen” and an “older sister to Murphy”.

In addition, Lucky was a cancer survivor that even surprised her doctors by how well she did after her surgery and chemotherapy almost four years ago.

Lucky was also the only dog that we know of that actually fired a shot gun!!

But most of all Lucky was our dear, sweet, little dog….a heartbeat at our feet.

We will always miss her and love her!

Chris, Pam and Murphy McSpadden

My husband always wanted a boxer. We had just lost Buddy to Cushings Disease.
We were concerned that Rascal would be grieving and needed a new playmate.
My husband always wanted a boxer, and one Saturday not long after we lost Buddy he went to a boxer rescue adoption and found Max A 10 month old and was instant love. The day Nax was to arrive he got caught in a gate running with his pal and broke a toe. It was about 5 weeks later we were finally able to bring him home.
Rascal on the other hand was not real excited over this new playful fellow in her home, and it took her exactly 6 weeks to warm up to him. And one night she got up from her spot next to me walked over to Max, and offered to play. After that night they were buds. She would never play with him as he wanted but they got along.
He would love to snuggle at your back at night, loved to ride in the car, go for walks, and run out in the back yard. It was less than a year we noticed he would stand on one foot while eating. Favoring the foot with the broken toe.
It was not to long afterwards he was diagnosed with Auto Immune disease.
Rascal was always by his side, staying with him wherever he was sleeping. Our vet Dr Nelson who worked so hard to help him sent us to Georgia Veterinary and the vets worked closely with him, but he was always such a fighter, he would improve and we would think it is getting better. During this time Rascal took ill and was diagnosed with rare form blood and bone cancer and was in treatment at GVS as well. Max lost his fight with this disease on April 4th 2011. He was not three years old. We were with him and loved him and Rascal said her good bye.
We lost Rascal two months later June 5th 2011.
I thank all of us for giving us the time we were able to have with Rascal and Max.

In Loving Memory of Shaman

We first met Shaman in Flowery Branch, Georgia at the ripe age of 6 weeks. A very nice couple were avid Lab AKC breeders whose female just delivered a healthy set of new pups. We chose Shaman out of the bunch primarily because he was the calm one. He was laying next to his siblings looking at me with these big, beautiful hazel eyes. Not jumping or running around, just laying down and staring. Naturally, we melted over him and took he and one of his sisters home.

Shaman was supposed to be a full blooded AKC registered Lab, but the breeders soon discovered their female had an unannounced gentleman caller. Mommy was a white lab. Daddy was a black lab. Shaman and company were all golden labs. Nevertheless, they looked and behaved 100% labrador.

Like most labs, Shaman was an athlete and part amphibian. Once he discovered how his natural web feet work in the water, it was showtime in the water. Even in his geriatric years, he deeply loved getting in the water. Now, when it came to playing ball, it was pure business. Shaman brought an intensity to playing ball I have never seen. And if other dogs participated in playing ball, he took it to another level. I can honestly say, and I know I’m bragging on him, but I only saw him lose one time in running down a tennis ball. It made him so mad, he made sure it never happened again.

Shaman’s sister, Chelsey was a sweet soul, but a one lady demolition crew. Shaman and Chelsey could destroy a yard, apartment, dress shoes, carpet and padding, fences, chairs, sheet rock, and furniture better than any wrecking ball. Eventually they grew out the demolition phase and became great dogs.

Shaman had a unique way of greeting other dogs. He would tail whip them. Because his sister would bite his flapping lips as a puppy, he would use his rear-end to fend off her attacks. It worked so effectively, he used it on all new greetings. People would get the biggest kick (Mainly Mommy & Daddy) out of his improper style of saying hello. But, that was Shaman.

Shaman had the sweetest soul, personality, and demeanor. Like most dogs, he loved constant petting, but he really enjoyed licking you more. We would call him Sir Kiss-A-Lot when he insisted on baptizing us with his slathering tongue.

Shaman always had friends in the neighborhood. His buddies would come over in the morning and night, scratch on the front door for him. He would go out to socialize for a bit and ready to get back inside with Mommy and Daddy.

At a young age, Shaman developed some health problems. He had his first seizure at the early age of 4. With the help of his Vet, we were able to keep it under control until he eventually out-grew it. His medical record resemble that of a war dog. With seizures, bad hips, torn ACL, laryngeal paralysis surgery (that was scary), melanoma cancer, surgical scars from trapped raw-hide bones, and on. None of these medical issues ever slowed him down or diminished his spirit.

Every morning Shaman would patrol his territory picking up new scents and marking over them appropriately just to serve notice to the neighborhood he was the alpha male. In fact, he kept this ritual up until his last days. He loved his long walks, car rides (except to the Vet), the woods, retrieving tennis balls, consuming treats, and his spots in the house.

Shaman was our baby. He lived to be 16 and a half years old, much to the amazement of his doctors. That is stud levels in my book. He outlived his sister Chelsey who passed in 2007. He outlived his friends, except the new, young ones. In fact, I thought he was going to live to be 20 given his spunk.

I told my wife that Shaman is setting standards that other labs we own will be hard pressed to match. He was our buddy, baby, and a wonderful part of our lives. He is missed so deeply. His sweet spirit and legacy will live on. He will never be forgotten. I know he running at full speed through God’s meadows with his sister, siblings, and friends. When he find God’s lake or river, rest assured he’ll be splashing up a good time.

My Tribute to Ollie – My beloved Maltese, my best friend and soul mate.

I can only begin this at the very first time I saw you in the pet store one day while on lunch hour.

. You were just a little ball of white fluff with the cutest face I’d ever seen on a dog. When I returned the next day to see you again, I knew that I wanted you and that Sunday, Mother’s Day, we brought you home. I will always remember the way you looked up at me when I carried you out to the car that day. You looked up at me with such love and gratitude as if to say “Thank you, Mom; you are my hero”. You were a bright, attentive ball of energy. Your little red wheel was your favorite toy and every night when I came home from work we played fetch until we were both exhausted. You always knew exactly what you liked and didn’t too—the fence that we bought for you outside in the backyard in Powhatan, Virginia. You let me know instantly that “there was no way you were going to play in that’. And the very special spot In the front yard by the stairs—that was your favorite place to roll over, wiggle and scratch your back on the grass. You loved to lie on the front sidewalk of the house and soak in the sun on nice days. And how can we forget the way you loved to roll in the leaves in autumn and play in the snow in the winter in Virginia.

I remember all of our travels together. You, Reggie, me and Dad going to Boston, Vermont, New York, Williamsburg, Tyson’s Corners, the Shenandoah Valley and Lancaster, PA. Then we took trips up and down I-95 from Virginia to Florida looking for a home, staying in hotels and stopping at rest areas and Cracker Barrel restaurants. You just loved to travel with us and stay in hotels. You were always so excited to go up and down the elevators and did that cute little prance down the corridors as if you were the Mayor of the town.

All thru the extreme hot weather in Florida; patella surgery and other medical problems you were still a happy little fellow. You always had a smile on your face and your tail was always wagging. When I was sick in bed with a stomach virus for two days you never left my side.

You loved it when I picked you up and rocked you back and forth and danced to the music. You loved your daily belly rubs and would lift your leg whenever I was near. You always had that enduring way of cocking your head to one side when we talked to you as if you knew exactly what we were saying. Even if we spelled the words ”go, dinner, ride” etc., you still knew! You were always my faithful little buddy waiting for me when I dressed for work in the morning. And you were there waiting for me when I arrived home in the evening, with a happy smile on your adorable face and your tail wagging a mile a minute. But it was when you looked at me with those huge black “meatball eyes’ that you reached into my soul and tugged at my heart, as if you knew that special bond between us. You have been, and always will be my very special boy. I will have a huge void in my life after you are gone because you are one of a kind and cannot ever be replaced. You have brought me years of pure joy.

I JUST LOVE YOU SO MUCH OLLIE!
We all love you.
Mom, Dad and Quincy. .

I adopted Miller when he was 4 years old. When I first met him, I thought that he was the biggest Lab that I had ever seen! Apparently, I wasn’t the only one that thought that. Everywhere we went, that was the comment that I heard. He truly was the biggest Lab I had ever seen, but with that size came a huge heart to match. He was also the sweetest, gentlest and most loving lab that anyone could ever wish for.

I already had Truffles, who was 2 years old, when Miller became part of the family. From the very beginning they were the best of buddies. They enjoyed chewing Nylabones and playing tug-of-war with ropey toys. When they were playing, they sounded like they were going to tear each other apart… however, never once did they ever get into a fight. They truly enjoyed each other’s companionship.

Miller also enjoyed chasing squirrels. He would keep them pinned up a tree or chase them as they ran along the top of our fence. He also enjoyed just lying on his outside bed, soaking up the sun and keeping watch over the back yard.
Saturday mornings were always especially exciting for Miller. That was “going in the car” time. He and the other dogs would get to ride in the car for a tour around Marietta. He would put his head out the window and enjoy the breeze and all the different scenery and smells.

We always thought Truffles was the Alpha dog, until early in 2011, when we added a new member to the family, “Furry” Murray. It was then that we found out very quickly that Miller was in charge. Miller was never aggressive towards Murray, but taught him firmly the rules of the house and of the pack. “Furry” Murray had great respect for Miller.

Miller enjoyed cheese, Gerber baby chicken, doggie cookies, ice cubes and Frosty Paws. He never begged, but was always around in case something happened to be “accidentally” dropped his way. He especially enjoyed his breakfast and dinner. Eating times were always a time of excitement.

We’ve lost our Alpha male, but his life was a blessing to us and all that had the pleasure of knowing and loving him. Miller, we all love and miss you very much!

In Our Heart

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.
We think of you in silence. We often speak your name.
Now all we have is memories, and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake, with which we’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping.
We have you in our heart.

In Loving Memory of Miller
January 28, 2000 – January 20, 2012

One week ago today, Jayden lost her battle to cancer. She sure did put up a good fight though! This is the story of her fight…

Jayden was born in November, 2005. I still remember the first time I got to hold her furry self while on Christmas vacation. I was still in the Coast Guard at that time, so she lived with her mom and siblings until I came home in February, 2006. On the drive to our new home, she got carsick and threw up all over my back…lol. I guess that is true bonding .

Jayden lived with me and her brother, Jordan, until we all moved in with their “new” daddy, Steve, in January, 2007. Jayden and Jordan instantly bonded with their “new” dad. I think Jayden forgot about all about me the first time Steve gave her cheese. He was always her favorite after that

Aggie came to us at a low point in our lives – job loss, illness and surgery. We picked her out of her litter when she was 3 weeks old. She was the only girl – a precious white bulldog with a small brown spot between her ears. She looked like she had a princess crown. We had to wait until she was 6 weeks old to come home with us. We named her Agda Ingrid after the Swedish princess and nicknamed her Aggie.

From the beginning she was feisty and full of positive energy. At one year old she would get bored and fling her food bowl across the room barking with joy as she chased after it. We decided she needed a playmate so we adopted one of her cousins to keep her company while mommy and daddy were at work. Aggie was a great little “mother” to her cousin Maggie. She taught Maggie to be housetrained within two weeks.

Aggie was the ultimate food lover! She would help mommy cook – waiting patiently until something dropped to the floor to quickly clean it up. One Christmas there was a leftover roast beef in the refrigerator. As mommy was putting more food in the fridge she discovered the roast on the bottom shelf and tried to pull it out. We took a picture of her trying to get to it. Bringing in the groceries was always a challenge since she would steal bananas and carrots from any bags that were within her reach.

Aggie loved travel and adventure! Whether it was a trip to Kennesaw park, the north Georgia mountains or the Florida beaches she was eager to explore! Her enthusiasm for life was contagious. We could never be down with Aggie around.

Her favorite game was the bone game. She would bring her bone in her teeth to daddy (especially when he was drying the dishes). He would reach down and try to take the bone from her and she would shake her head, growl and run away. Then she would come back to tease him again.

If we got sick, “nurse” Aggie would lie down beside us, lick our faces and cuddle up with us to help us feel better. She was also the most tolerant and gentle of animals with children and other animals. She would allow children to chase her and play with her but always knew to give them the extra gentle care that they needed. When we brought Ginger the kitty home she allowed Ginger to jump all over her.

Tennis balls from daddy’s tennis bag were a coveted treasure. She would take them out of the tennis bag and there was no letting go.

Aggie was also very girly. She would sit with mommy in the mornings to put on make-up. Mommy would take a make-up brush and pretend to apply Aggie’s make-up and then hold a mirror up so she could admire her beauty.

Even to her last morning with us when her cancer was destroying her body she was loving and positive. She licked away all of our tears as we said goodbye. When Dr. Averill and Jimmy arrived to ease her from this life she wagged her tail and smiled her Aggie smile.

Aggie brought us unlimited love and joy. We know she is in a place where there is no pain or suffering. We look forward to seeing her again to cross Rainbow Bridge together.

We miss you and you will remain forever in our hearts! Love from Anders, Janice, Maggie the dog and Ginger the cat

We first met KC in 1998 at Cobb County Animal Control. Several dogs got our attention, but when we went down the final aisle, there he was looking so sad and lonely and he just looked up at us like “I know you aren’t going to be interested in me, so I am not going to bother trying.” We immediately got him out of that run and took him outside. He ran around like his pants were on fire and was so happy that someone took notice of him. We knew we never wanted him to go back in that run.

We honestly had no idea what we were doing with this big block of a dog that had no manners. During the first month, he ate everything that was within his reach. He devoured several cds, some clothes, a cactus, and gave a good chewing to an 8 inch serrated blade knife. But he was so eager to please us that he was amazingly trainable and made our job easier. His days of being a terror were short and he developed into the best dog anyone could ask for. He knew so many tricks, and he loved to perform for his cookies. We taught him everything with verbal and hand signals. Little did we know that as he grew older he would lose his hearing and those hand signals would be so vital to communication. His favorite game in the whole world was hide and seek. One of us would hide while the other would go count with KC, and then he would make a frantic search. This ultimately led to KC helping with our wedding proposal. Liz went to hide like usual, but this time KC went searching with a ring and a note attached to his collar.

He was our only child for 7 years and we did everything with him. He went to training classes, playschool, dog parks, rafting, hiking, and many trips. KC joined us on our honeymoon to Lake Placid, New York in 2000 and went to New York City for Christmas the following year. Soon after buying our house, we felt it was time for KC to have a sibling to share his yard with. After meeting many dogs, KC decided that a squirmy little red-nosed pit bull puppy was the one. KC helped us raise Sunny to be a good little sister, and they were best friends.

Despite his appearance being a big, black dog, he was a gentle soul. He loved to snuggle on the couch with his head in your lap while watching TV or to sleep in late on the weekend sandwiched between us. In his early days, we had no clue what we were doing but we always had fun and learned together through trial and error. For everything that we taught him, he taught us even more. No matter how many dogs we may share the rest of our lives with, KC will always have an extra special place in our hearts. He was so much more than a dog.

Tomorrow will be a week since I lost my baby Ally. She came to us as a small ball of white fur 15 years ago. I thought she would last forever but unfortunately, you have to say good by. She was loved so much and was my shadow 24/7. She love to take a ride it didn’t matter where she went as long as she was riding with daddy! Ally loved everyone especially Ms. LULU, Rudy & Shadow our other cats and dog. Lulu is having a hard time not having something to snuggle up to because Ally was so much bigger than her. I still think at night I hear her coming up the stairs to go to bed and then I remember she won’t sleep beside me anymore. Our hearts are broken but I have my memories and those are some of the best moments of our lives. We love you my Miss Ally and will always have you in our hearts and soul.

Savannah picked me as her father, I didn’t pick her. She came into my life 16 years ago at a horse show when a new puppy was the last thing I needed, so I thought. She kept leaving her litter mates and coming to me. So I finally picked her up, looked into those big brown eyes and couldn’t resist. Over the years she has been a great companion. She loved going camping, to the lake, or wondering in the woods, basically anything I wanted to do. In the winter if a fire was built you could always find her lying in front of the fireplace.
She had an amazing love for children. When she was younger and had a tendency to go venturing off in the morning regardless of how many times she was asked not to, I always knew where she could be found. Wherever the school bus pick up was for the kids, there she would be. I would pull up and with her head held low knowing she was in trouble again, she would slowly make her way to the truck. All the neighborhood kids would be waving and saying their goodbyes. We would head to the barn where she spent her day with me out in the pastures working, or running and playing with the horses. Every now and then I would have to go looking for her which was always 1 of 3 places. The old man next door, where she would be lying on the front porch as he sat in his rocker reading the paper. The 2 little boys up the road where I would have to knock on the door since their mom had let Savannah inside to play with them. Or, at the neighbor’s house behind the barn, where she would be playing in the backyard with the kids.
Savannah loved everyone and everyone loved her. She never met a stranger. On her last couple of days with me, knowing she wasn’t feeling well she was still the same ole Savannah. There she was lying in front of the fireplace with the 2 year old sitting on her, squeezing her, lying on top of her. Knowing the time was getting closer and closer I kept looking for her to give me a sign she was ready. Even though we had to pick her up to take her outside, put her food and water in front of her, you could tell she wasn’t ready. Then on her last night after not really getting up on her own all week, she made her rounds through the house. First lying beside me for a few hours as I rested in my chair. Then, beside the bed in the kid’s room with them for a few hours, and finally back to the bedroom beside the bed where she had slept for years. She was telling me it was time.
Savannah thank you for so many wonderful years, you will truly be missed.