Keisha 04-385

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RAGOM recently received the following sad email. It so touched the heart of the foster home that we broke every rule in the book, and have brought Keisha, Abbey AND Miss Kitty into foster care.

To whom it may concern,

I have an 8 year old female Golden Retriever, a 7 year old female Black Lab, and a 15 year old female cat. My husband recently passed away unexpectedly. I have since lost my residence, and am looking for a job and a place to live. Though I have found a place that accepts pets, they want $300 apiece as a deposit and $90 a month extra rent, which I cannot do.

My animals, who have been my loving companions for many years, are like my children. They are in a kennel until the end of November, but as that costs $500 a month, I cannot keep them there any longer. I have tried everything I can think of to save them. I have tried getting them into foster care, to no avail. I have contacted all the agencies in the area that offer pets for adoption that will not put them to sleep. No one will take them because of their advanced years. They say that they simply don't have a good chance for adoption at their age.

They are wonderful pets and would be wonderful companions to anyone who gives them a good and loving home. My Golden Retriever, Keisha, is mute and has never barked since I adopted her at 8 weeks old. She loves everyone, and if visitors come to the house, it is her habit of always offering them one of her toys as a gift. Abby, my Black Lab, also loves everyone. She will give a couple of woofs if someone comes to the door, but that's it. Abby wants to kiss everyone she meets. Both are well housebroken for many years now, walk well on a lead, and are far past the puppy chewing stage. They are not the least bit destructive and can be trusted to be home alone.

Though I don't have any children of my own, they also love children. I can honestly say that I have never heard either of them even growl. This includes times when my brother's poodles have been visiting, have been climbing over them, and taking their toys. Though they have long passed the energetic stage, they like to play fetch, but are very content to lay around like throw rugs and snooze. They are also very obedient and come when called. My cat is litter boxed trained. She is declawed and needs to be an indoor cat. Though she can be shy on first meeting a new person, once she gets to know you she is extremely affectionate and loves to cuddle.

Please help me. I didn't expect that my husband would die so suddenly. The pets have never known anything but a loving home. I don't want to put them through the horrible trauma of the Humane Society, and feel that they would end up being put down. They will be wonderful companions for anyone willing to give them the good home that they deserve.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

C H

At a Glance #04-385

Golden Retriever Born: July 1996
Female Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

RAGOM recently received the following sad email. It so touched the heart of the foster home that we broke every rule in the book, and have brought Keisha, Abbey AND Miss Kitty into foster care.

To whom it may concern,

I have an 8 year old female Golden Retriever, a 7 year old female Black Lab, and a 15 year old female cat. My husband recently passed away unexpectedly. I have since lost my residence, and am looking for a job and a place to live. Though I have found a place that accepts pets, they want $300 apiece as a deposit and $90 a month extra rent, which I cannot do.

My animals, who have been my loving companions for many years, are like my children. They are in a kennel until the end of November, but as that costs $500 a month, I cannot keep them there any longer. I have tried everything I can think of to save them. I have tried getting them into foster care, to no avail. I have contacted all the agencies in the area that offer pets for adoption that will not put them to sleep. No one will take them because of their advanced years. They say that they simply don't have a good chance for adoption at their age.

They are wonderful pets and would be wonderful companions to anyone who gives them a good and loving home. My Golden Retriever, Keisha, is mute and has never barked since I adopted her at 8 weeks old. She loves everyone, and if visitors come to the house, it is her habit of always offering them one of her toys as a gift. Abby, my Black Lab, also loves everyone. She will give a couple of woofs if someone comes to the door, but that's it. Abby wants to kiss everyone she meets. Both are well housebroken for many years now, walk well on a lead, and are far past the puppy chewing stage. They are not the least bit destructive and can be trusted to be home alone.

Though I don't have any children of my own, they also love children. I can honestly say that I have never heard either of them even growl. This includes times when my brother's poodles have been visiting, have been climbing over them, and taking their toys. Though they have long passed the energetic stage, they like to play fetch, but are very content to lay around like throw rugs and snooze. They are also very obedient and come when called. My cat is litter boxed trained. She is declawed and needs to be an indoor cat. Though she can be shy on first meeting a new person, once she gets to know you she is extremely affectionate and loves to cuddle.

Please help me. I didn't expect that my husband would die so suddenly. The pets have never known anything but a loving home. I don't want to put them through the horrible trauma of the Humane Society, and feel that they would end up being put down. They will be wonderful companions for anyone willing to give them the good home that they deserve.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

C H

Updates

Sunday, July 26, 2009

 

On January 1, 2005, we adopted Keisha (8 years old) and her "stepsister" Abby (7 years old). Since the two of them had spent their lives together, RAGOM hoped that they could be adopted as a pair. We concurred and they both proved well behaved from the very beginning. We enjoyed "the girls" from the day we got them. They never disagreed or competed with each other or any other dog our children would bring by.

In March of 2008, Keisha was diagnosed with mammary cancer. She underwent what appears to have been a successful operation and did very well for about 15 months. When she became increasingly listless earlier this month, she was noted by her veterinarian to be significantly anemic. He immediately suspected a recurrence or a new tumor. Keisha was noted to have a large (probably new) tumor in her right lung. She went rapidly "downhill" and was put to sleep several days ago with "Mom and Dad" at her side.

We cannot express in words how deep the loss was to us. Keisha was the kindest, most loving dog we have ever known. She did not have a "mean bone" in her body. A good day for Keisha was a nap, sitting by us at the table looking for snacks, and sitting on the floor for a hugging marathon with us. She was always a bit of a "slow poke" but was, after all, a senior when we adopted her. We remember her as a bit of a clown, who always made us laugh and who had a big smile on her face.

We are all diminished by Keisha's loss. She was truly an ambassador for kindness, love and all that is good. She will be missed by all who knew her, but most especially by her adopted "Mom and Dad" and her sister, Abby. Thanks, Keisha, for all that you gave us.

Rick and Ilene

 

 

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Keisha, Abby and the Kitty have a sad story, but hopefully one that will end with a Holiday of happiness. One of the owners of these three girls passed away and the other lost everything because of that tragedy. She lost many of her belongings, but more importantly for these guys, she lost her home. She looked and looked for a place that would allow her to keep them, but after being a family for 8 years, she had to give them up.

Keisha, the Golden, is the sweetest girl anybody could ever want. All she wants to do is snuggle and be loved. Abby is exactly the same way and even talks occasionally. Abby suffers from a skin allergy, but it seems to be clearing up. It doesn't seem to affect her at all and in fact, she completely ignores it. Both girls are well housebroken and aside from wanting to sleep with you occasionally, don't get into any trouble. If they could snuggle all the time, that would make them happy.

They get along well with cats and that brings us to the other part of the story. Part of the family was the Kitty! We couldn't very well take the girls and split up the family, so we have a kitty that wants a new home, too! She's extremely docile and wants to curl up on your lap whenever you sit down. This is new for RAGOM, but who could say no to this story?

Hopefully, somebody that has a home filled with love will add to it this holiday season. With these three girls, you won't be sorry!

Monday, November 29, 2004

These are very good girls and very loving. The first place they found was my bed and made themselves right at home. They've been together their whole lives and they are obviously very attached to one another. Abbey, the Black Lab is a talker. She almost seems like she's trying to form words and it's extremly comical. Keisha, the Golden, is very timid and shy and is the most loving dog anybody could ever want. They walk on the leash extremely well and are super well behaved. They stay around in the yard and get attached to you immediately. When I took them to my family's Thanksgiving, they were the hit of the household. Everybody loved them, but when I got up to move into another room, they were on me like velcro. Whoever gets these two dogs will have lots of love to give and receive. They're good around kids, since there were lots at Thanksgiving and of course they're great with cats, because I also have their sister, the cat... :-)

I would really like to find a forever home that will take all three, in order to keep the family intact.

Keisha and Abbey have been to the vet, and both are on meds for ear infections. Keisha will go in for her spay this week.

Stay tuned for a picture of the whole family!