This page is dedicated to the special dogs that shared their time on earth with us and forever changed us.
|
A Story of Faith and Hope
- and the people who love them
In November 2019, Western Australian Shepherd Rescue was contacted about two senior female cattle dog mixes. The family who owned Faith and Hope had come into difficult circumstances and needed to rehome their two beloved dogs. Faith, the pure white dog, was deaf and Hope, her blue heeler sister, acted as Faith's ears, alerting her to things Faith couldn't hear. And to make things even more stressful, Faith's back end went out the week of the pandemic lockdown, March 2020. With most veterinarian offices closed or on limited hours the rescue was scrambling to find care for Faith, one vet even suggesting we put her down. But Faith's foster home wasn't ready to give up on her so we decided to try water therapy. And after just one session, Faith started to bounce back, her muscles strengthening and her mobility increasing.
Faith and Hope's foster home was the best foster home for them. She adores senior dogs and loved to take them for short walks - helping Faith up and down the stairs. She cared for them as if they were her own but the rescue wanted to find them their own forever home together. Six families came to meet Faith and Hope over the months, and while they all adored the two lady dogs, none of them could commit to taking care of Faith's special needs. Finally, after months in foster care, Faith and Hope met their rescue angels, Carolyn and Dan, who took them both and promised to love and care for them until the end.
Recently, the rescue recieved the sad news that Faith had passed away, and Carolyn and Dan shared the following testimonial to Faith's moxy, personality, and perseverance, no matter what.
Faith was a light from the moment we met her. She was incredibly smart and affectionate, and she had an infectious smile that could turn any day around for the better. She was born deaf and she also had a spinal injury shortly before we adopted her, but that didn't prevent her from enjoying life to the fullest. Her willful but determined spirit gave the rehab veterinarians a run for their money, but she worked through water therapy, massage (her favorite), and light therapy to keep her walking unassisted for several months after we brought her home. She quickly learned to use her wheelchair and loved that this gave her the independence to roam her favorite place, the park by our house, and occasionally sneak away to find small kids to play with. There were few things Faith loved more than scratches behind the ears, soaking up the sunshine, and people/dog watching in the park. Faith also loved a good challenge and she enjoyed puzzles and games, always keeping us searching for something more challenging for her.
Faith and Hope were inseparable, often found "holding hands" or cuddling when you weren't watching, and sometimes we felt that we were interrupting their secret meetings. They clearly loved and cared for each other deeply.
More than anything, Faith was the sweetest and gentlest soul we've ever met, and anyone that met her said the same. She was a marshmallow of love and tenderness.
Our house feels empty without Faith's presence, but our now-family-of-three will remember her always and the joy that she brought to each one of us every day.
As they say, forever is not long enough. We feel so blessed and grateful for the two incredible years that we had with Faith. We are honored to have been a part of her life, and we hope that she feels the same.
Thank you for entrusting us to care for Faith in her final years. She has changed us for the better and she will never be forgotten.
We want to thank Faith and Hope's foster homes and Carolyn and Dan for taking in Faith and Hope and loving them so much. It takes extraordinary people to adopt or foster special needs dogs and there is a special place over the Rainbow Bridge for people like them.
Western Australian Shepherd Rescue is a small, volunteer run 501(c)3 dog rescue organization that helps herding breeds find new forever homes. We've been known to help other breeds too: Chihuahuas, terriers, hounds, and so on. We take in senior dogs, puppies, young adults, special need dogs, sick dogs, and behaviorially challenged dogs. All of our dogs are in volunteer foster homes. The rescue is funded through personal donations, yard sales, other fund raisers, and dog adoption fees. If you'd like to help us in our work to rescue herding dog breeds check out the links below to learn how to volunteer or foster, ask us a question, or donate.
Faith and Hope's foster home was the best foster home for them. She adores senior dogs and loved to take them for short walks - helping Faith up and down the stairs. She cared for them as if they were her own but the rescue wanted to find them their own forever home together. Six families came to meet Faith and Hope over the months, and while they all adored the two lady dogs, none of them could commit to taking care of Faith's special needs. Finally, after months in foster care, Faith and Hope met their rescue angels, Carolyn and Dan, who took them both and promised to love and care for them until the end.
Recently, the rescue recieved the sad news that Faith had passed away, and Carolyn and Dan shared the following testimonial to Faith's moxy, personality, and perseverance, no matter what.
Faith was a light from the moment we met her. She was incredibly smart and affectionate, and she had an infectious smile that could turn any day around for the better. She was born deaf and she also had a spinal injury shortly before we adopted her, but that didn't prevent her from enjoying life to the fullest. Her willful but determined spirit gave the rehab veterinarians a run for their money, but she worked through water therapy, massage (her favorite), and light therapy to keep her walking unassisted for several months after we brought her home. She quickly learned to use her wheelchair and loved that this gave her the independence to roam her favorite place, the park by our house, and occasionally sneak away to find small kids to play with. There were few things Faith loved more than scratches behind the ears, soaking up the sunshine, and people/dog watching in the park. Faith also loved a good challenge and she enjoyed puzzles and games, always keeping us searching for something more challenging for her.
Faith and Hope were inseparable, often found "holding hands" or cuddling when you weren't watching, and sometimes we felt that we were interrupting their secret meetings. They clearly loved and cared for each other deeply.
More than anything, Faith was the sweetest and gentlest soul we've ever met, and anyone that met her said the same. She was a marshmallow of love and tenderness.
Our house feels empty without Faith's presence, but our now-family-of-three will remember her always and the joy that she brought to each one of us every day.
As they say, forever is not long enough. We feel so blessed and grateful for the two incredible years that we had with Faith. We are honored to have been a part of her life, and we hope that she feels the same.
Thank you for entrusting us to care for Faith in her final years. She has changed us for the better and she will never be forgotten.
We want to thank Faith and Hope's foster homes and Carolyn and Dan for taking in Faith and Hope and loving them so much. It takes extraordinary people to adopt or foster special needs dogs and there is a special place over the Rainbow Bridge for people like them.
Western Australian Shepherd Rescue is a small, volunteer run 501(c)3 dog rescue organization that helps herding breeds find new forever homes. We've been known to help other breeds too: Chihuahuas, terriers, hounds, and so on. We take in senior dogs, puppies, young adults, special need dogs, sick dogs, and behaviorially challenged dogs. All of our dogs are in volunteer foster homes. The rescue is funded through personal donations, yard sales, other fund raisers, and dog adoption fees. If you'd like to help us in our work to rescue herding dog breeds check out the links below to learn how to volunteer or foster, ask us a question, or donate.
PIPER
|
Piper had a rough start to life. She was in 5 homes that we know of before she finally found her forever home. This girl was the most stubborn and crazy heeler you'd ever want to meet. And, she was truly loved. Her personality filled the room. She made you laugh (or scream) daily. She barked at the ceiling fan, the TV, the hair dryer and more, all while wagging her tail (and probably laughing) at the same time.
Piper passed away from cancer in April of 2019. She was my "baby girl" and I will miss her forever. - Denise |
CHAMA
Dear Family & Friends,
It is in celebration of his life that I share the sad news of the passing of My beloved Chama. Although I am saddened by his passing, I celebrate because he is no longer lame and arthritic. Tuesday, he accompanied Chilie and I on our usual afternoon walk, ate a hearty dinner, and was overcome by a sudden, obviously unexpected heart attack at 10:00 p.m. God is merciful: I sat with him for only thirty minutes and stroked his beautiful coat as he passed from this life on earth.
I’m told he didn’t have to wait for me to cross The Rainbow Bridge because he went straight into Heaven, welcomed by my son, Kai. I believe he is jumping over agility hurdles, chasing the “chuck it” ball, and being twirled around on Kai’s shoulders like they did together so many times here on earth. Truly – since Heaven is perfect – Chama is perfect there too: healed, whole, and healthy. I am still struggling (after only 4 days) to believe the same truth about Chama as I believe about Kai: I know where they are, I know they’re safe, and I know I will see them again. God is goodJ Chama’s spirit saved my life twelve years ago: God worked through Chama to show me His unconditional love. I learned to trust God as Chama trusted me. As Chama obeyed me, I learned to yield to God. I am at peace with God because Chama brought His peace to me. I am not at all reticent to talk about God’s love and Chama’s love in the same breath. Our love for our canine companions is great and memorable, and it has the power to change our lives.
Chama was born 3/3/02 and gifted to me by a loving friend, Joseph Hartnagle. Chama loved me unconditionally from the very beginning. He answered to his name at only four weeks. At one-year-old, he stayed by my side, as he always did, through a bizarre year of living in the Black Forest in houses that were for sale. He received his Novice Obedience title and his Novice Rally title at 18-months-old, However, he really didn’t enjoy ring-competition sports: once he left the ring by his own decision to go see a friend – lol! He did love agility as you can see from this photo of him coming out of an agility tunnel. He was always beautiful in action! Chama’s real love, however, was Therapy Dog work. Always true to his loving self, he never met a stranger, but “wiggle-butted” his greetings to one and all. He knew the location of the file drawer with “cookies” at every nurses’ station at Memorial Hospital
My favorite memory of Chama is his “keep away” game. He would have something in his mouth that he wasn’t supposed to have in his mouth (like a disemboweled stuffed toy), curve his body like a comma (so both his face and butt faced me), and dance backwards with his eyes sparkling! He also liked to find the spot in the yard that had the most loose dirt, roll over on his back with all four legs in the air, and growl with delight as he rolled back and forth – first one side, then the other – until his beautiful red coat and white collar were completely covered with dirt.
Chilie and I will carry on Chama’s mission to ensure that every human and canine know that they are really, truly lovedJ If you would like to remember Chama with a memorial donation, please gift to Western Aussie Rescue, www.westernaustralianshepherdrescue.com, % Annette Hall, 509-671-2954 or email Annette at [email protected]. (There’s an “underscore” between “rugby” and “chase”.)
I read somewhere that we get to choose to be the age that we were happiest on earth when we get to Heaven. I imagine that Chama is now six-years-old. 6 + 2 (his birth year is 2002) = 8. In biblical numerology, “8” represents the beginning of a new era. Please keep Chilie and me in your prayers as we enter this new season of life without Chama physically with us. We love you as he did!
Bestest blessings,
Linda Jensen
It is in celebration of his life that I share the sad news of the passing of My beloved Chama. Although I am saddened by his passing, I celebrate because he is no longer lame and arthritic. Tuesday, he accompanied Chilie and I on our usual afternoon walk, ate a hearty dinner, and was overcome by a sudden, obviously unexpected heart attack at 10:00 p.m. God is merciful: I sat with him for only thirty minutes and stroked his beautiful coat as he passed from this life on earth.
I’m told he didn’t have to wait for me to cross The Rainbow Bridge because he went straight into Heaven, welcomed by my son, Kai. I believe he is jumping over agility hurdles, chasing the “chuck it” ball, and being twirled around on Kai’s shoulders like they did together so many times here on earth. Truly – since Heaven is perfect – Chama is perfect there too: healed, whole, and healthy. I am still struggling (after only 4 days) to believe the same truth about Chama as I believe about Kai: I know where they are, I know they’re safe, and I know I will see them again. God is goodJ Chama’s spirit saved my life twelve years ago: God worked through Chama to show me His unconditional love. I learned to trust God as Chama trusted me. As Chama obeyed me, I learned to yield to God. I am at peace with God because Chama brought His peace to me. I am not at all reticent to talk about God’s love and Chama’s love in the same breath. Our love for our canine companions is great and memorable, and it has the power to change our lives.
Chama was born 3/3/02 and gifted to me by a loving friend, Joseph Hartnagle. Chama loved me unconditionally from the very beginning. He answered to his name at only four weeks. At one-year-old, he stayed by my side, as he always did, through a bizarre year of living in the Black Forest in houses that were for sale. He received his Novice Obedience title and his Novice Rally title at 18-months-old, However, he really didn’t enjoy ring-competition sports: once he left the ring by his own decision to go see a friend – lol! He did love agility as you can see from this photo of him coming out of an agility tunnel. He was always beautiful in action! Chama’s real love, however, was Therapy Dog work. Always true to his loving self, he never met a stranger, but “wiggle-butted” his greetings to one and all. He knew the location of the file drawer with “cookies” at every nurses’ station at Memorial Hospital
My favorite memory of Chama is his “keep away” game. He would have something in his mouth that he wasn’t supposed to have in his mouth (like a disemboweled stuffed toy), curve his body like a comma (so both his face and butt faced me), and dance backwards with his eyes sparkling! He also liked to find the spot in the yard that had the most loose dirt, roll over on his back with all four legs in the air, and growl with delight as he rolled back and forth – first one side, then the other – until his beautiful red coat and white collar were completely covered with dirt.
Chilie and I will carry on Chama’s mission to ensure that every human and canine know that they are really, truly lovedJ If you would like to remember Chama with a memorial donation, please gift to Western Aussie Rescue, www.westernaustralianshepherdrescue.com, % Annette Hall, 509-671-2954 or email Annette at [email protected]. (There’s an “underscore” between “rugby” and “chase”.)
I read somewhere that we get to choose to be the age that we were happiest on earth when we get to Heaven. I imagine that Chama is now six-years-old. 6 + 2 (his birth year is 2002) = 8. In biblical numerology, “8” represents the beginning of a new era. Please keep Chilie and me in your prayers as we enter this new season of life without Chama physically with us. We love you as he did!
Bestest blessings,
Linda Jensen