Dear all our friends at RAGOM,

I have been meaning to let you know about Foster (04-252), but I can hardly believe it’s true. On December 27, my daughter and I had to help Foster cross the Rainbow Bridge. He had suffered with arthritis, which x-rays proved was more severe than he let on, and he was placed on Rimadyl (we closely monitored his blood) which gave him a new lease on life. And then he developed a cough right after we made a visit to possibly adopt another RAGOM friend. We took him to see his doctor (he loved his doctor – and everyone loved him, including the vet’s 11 year old daughter who her Dad said was always happy to hear about him after a visit – it made her day) and he was placed on doxycycline. We visited 3 RAGOM dogs and their wonderful foster Moms trying to find the pup that would be just right for Foster (we were unaware of any major health problems at the time as he had just had an exam which showed him to be a healthy senior) and just right for my 32 year old daughter who is on dialysis (no jumping, pulling etc.). She is home waiting for a kidney and pancreas transplant and our fur family members are so therapeutic for her. The driving force in the search was knowing the guidelines/limitations of bringing new pets home following transplant. But after visiting some wonderful pups and realizing that Foster was the mellowest of the mellow, we decided that maybe now was not the right time to bring in a new fur family member. In the mean time, I had answered an ad at work regarding a 7 year old retriever needing placement due to allergies in the family. It was a tough decision for the family and they weren’t 100% sure about giving Jake up, so I gave them my name and number and RAGOM’s number (since I thought that I would probably adopt a RAGOM dog before they made a decision). As fate would have it, within 3 days of deciding not to adopt, I got a call from Jake’s mom. We, of course, went to visit him. Jake was a perfect fit so we brought him home on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He was great with Foster – never even competing to get in the front door or even for treats.

After 3 or so weeks of starting doxycycline, Foster developed lethargy, wasn’t eating well, lost weight, drank lots of water and needed to go out much more often than usual. His liver enzymes went up (we were routinely doing senior blood panels every 6 months so we had a good baseline of blood values) and he was taken off the doxycycline to see if that was the problem but they continued climbing. Soon it became apparent that he had hemangiosarcoma. A few days before Christmas, we saw the vet and realized that his time on earth was limited and so we began feeding him, sometimes hand feeding him, anything he would eat (he loved plain deli meat but grew to reject even that). He continued to decline. It is always difficult to have to make these decisions but somehow you just seem to know when the time is right. I just hoped he would make it through Christmas and be able to go back to his clinic where he was so loved and cared for to cross the Bridge. I had a talk with him and asked if he would try to make it past Christmas. On Christmas day, he opened only a few of his toys and ate only a few bites of his favorite treats (fancy decorated dog cookies from a special bakery in LaCrosse), but he celebrated in his own quiet way, wagging his tail and enjoying being with his family. On Christmas night I helped him into bed and we snuggled up together. He got up in the night which was unusual, so I let him out and helped him get back into bed. On the next night, he jumped off the bed and went to sleep in the kitchen. He had begun to separate from us from time to time which was very unusual for him as he was always with his people. This behavior was becoming a bit more frequent. On the morning of December 27, he communicated to me with his eyes which held such knowing that it was time to go and I made the appointment. The one I dreaded to make and yet wanted to make since he had suffered enough. I found comfort in knowing that it was only his body that was leaving us and that he would now be free to be. He was in our arms and hearts with his favorite blanket wrapped around him as he crossed the bridge to become free from pain and free to run and jump and be his old self. My daughter asked him to give us a sign that he was OK. Unknown to me, she told him to send quarters. A few days later, I was walking by the vending machines at work and something told me to check the change return, something I‘ve not done before. And there, in the return, were two quarters. I thought it strange and told her about it when I came home that night and that is when she told me she had asked Foster to send quarters.

Foster was the most special fur friend – nearly human in almost every way including understanding the English language. He was found on an Iowa County road by someone, spent some time in an animal shelter where no one wanted to adopt him because he was not in good shape (flea allergy had caused him to lose his hair, he had bad teeth, and he was older-we never did figure out his real age) and finally, thank God, found his way to RAGOM. We often wished he could talk and tell us his story. There is no way that anyone would have given up this oh so perfect fur friend. Something unusual had to have happened. He had total trust, not a single fear, and we were continually finding out things he knew and could do. When we first got him he seemed a bit sad – almost like he was missing someone. We contacted an animal psychic and were told that he had been in a car accident with his family and was the only one to survive and that he had been very close to a young boy. It made perfect sense to us and so we loved him and cared for him and before too long he seemed to blossom. I fell in love with him the moment I saw his picture on the RAGOM site – a big old boy curled up in a laundry basket. Of course, we had to get him his very own personal laundry basket. He spent part of almost every day in it. What a site!

I probably will never again have this same connection – it was heaven sent. I will forever be grateful for the 2½ years I had the privilege of sharing with my beloved Foster – fur buddy, fur friend and pure love. He was such a spiritual being and taught me far more than I could have ever taught him. Some people ask me how I can adopt an older dog especially since I may not have much time with them. I just think to myself that they don’t know what they are missing. It is truly gift! They are such buddies. As much as I adore puppies (yes even their energy and curiosity), I will always want to be in the presence of a senior fur baby. They are the greatest!

Thanks to each of you for all the love, devotion and effort you so willingly provide to our dear fur angels. They deserve the best. I have enclosed a check in Foster’s memory. I have also included a donation to thank the 3 RAGOM volunteers and their foster pups who so willingly and with compassion helped us while understanding our special needs when we were searching for a new fur friend: Christi T and Rosie (06-380), Kathleen W and Penny (06-440), and Cheryl D and Goldie (06-466). Their time and input was greatly appreciated.

I check the RAGOM site nearly daily and would love to meet all of the pups and bring them home. I long for the day when all creatures are treated with love and respect. Take care and keep up the good work. You are in my thoughts and prayers always.

With Love,

Rita B

PS: Foster wanted me to thank RAGOM for rescuing him and LeAnn and Stephen for nursing him back to health and giving him his special name for being the greatest foster/Foster he could be. And he was the best boy ever! But, most of all he is grateful to RAGOM, LeAnn and Stephen for finding him a wonderful home where he could live out his senior years in pure luxury. He asks that you honor his memory by giving your fur friend a BIG hug followed by his/her favorite treat. They are all the best! Love is what it’s all about. Enjoy!

So until we meet again Foster, my dear dear angel pup, just know that you are very much loved, all the way to the moon and back, and missed and in our hearts forever, for you have left paw prints on our souls. I hope you feel our foot prints on yours. Thank you for being with me and helping me to feel the blessings of the sun and the wind and the rain and to hear the symphony of leaves as they move with the wind. And a big thank you for the blessing of you. There is a powerful sense of knowing when we stand still – even for a moment. I learned that with you. Give all of our fur family slurps and kisses and love – Barkley, Emily, Willoughby, Bart, Cindy and Muffin. They will be there with you. I know you will be there to greet me when I cross the bridge and I can’t wait to feel your fur in my hands and bury my face in yours. I know you will be with us always and even drop by once in a while to be sure that we are OK. I will look forward to your visits. We shall forever be connected. I miss all of you so much. Jake misses you too and sends you doggie kisses. He is special too - thanks for helping him in becoming part of the family. Wishing you blessings like the rain.

Love you always and forever,

Mom

Dearest Doodle Bug,

You are one of the great blessings of my life. Your gentle nature and soulful understanding eyes will live forever in my heart and I dream of the day that we get to be together again. Everyday when I came home, there you were with your bright shining eyes and energetic tail. The shell that my heart had built to protect itself in the world instantly evaporated as we greeted each other. I always told you that you were special and magical and made everything better just by being you. I told you that I would always love you no matter what. And I do.

Even though our time together in physical form was short, your imprint on my spirit was great. I know we will continue to live in each others hearts, for I feel your presence everyday.

I am forever grateful that you came to us. Thank you for you. And, in between frolicking in the fields, chewing on bones and playing with your toys, come visit me in my dreams where I can hold your paws in my hands and we can drown each other in hugs and kisses. I love you always always.

Your Big Sis,

Michelle