R.I.P.
In memory of our pets who are waiting for us at The Rainbow Bridge
Mr. Sid
was our first dog and we rescued him
when he was 9 months old. Mr. Sid (or as we called him, "Mr. Big") was
still a dapper old guy until just before he died at age 18 years in 1999. He is
definitely waiting for us at the Bridge and is keeping all the girls in line
until we get there!
Maggie
was probably our biggest challenge. She came to us at age 5 months, was not
socialized at all and was a fear biter. In addition, she was so upset and out of
control that her intestines telescoped and she almost died. With a year of very
gentle loving, she settled in and had a wonderful life in our pack. She was very
smart and verbal! She contracted Ehrlichiosis (while on tick prevention) and
almost died in 1997. She recovered and had two more years with us before she
died in 1999 at age 17 years.
Miss Molly was the best dog ever! We rescued
her at age 5 months and she was Connie’s best buddy throughout her life. Molly
was the best snuggle dog and she loved spending time in the garden with Connie.
Molly was sassy and smart and always made us smile. She died at age 16 years in
1999.
Jenny was a heartache! We rescued her and she
immediately began having seizures due to distemper. If only someone along the
way had given her even one of her series of shots. She was only with us a very
few days, but we learned first hand (in a way we had not known before) how
important responsible pet care can be!
Cody is the reason we have Chinooks! She
found her way to our home which is in a very isolated area. Cody had been shot
and had a broken pelvis probably from being hit by a car. Because of her, we
became connected with the Alaskan Malamute Club of America and grew to know Susan Conant.
Her book about a stolen Chinook prompted Connie to search the Internet to see if
Chinooks were a true breed or only fictional. Connie met Connie Jones and the
rest is history!!
Cody was a magnificent dog! She moved right in and took over our guest room – neither of us wanted to tell her to get out of there because she seemed so happy. Cody died of an aggressive cancer only 2 years after she appeared here, but we feel we gave her the quality of life she deserved while she was with us. She is still known at Annawan as "the Code Dog."
Sadie was rescued at age 5 months and we
almost lost her the first week due to distemper. This was our initiation to
doing whatever it takes to give rescues a chance at a wonderful life in a
"forever" home. It changed our lives. Sadie became our little
princess. She adored Randy and was his running companion for many years. Sadie
was with us until she was 17 years old. She died rather unexpectedly in 1998
which was very painful for our whole pack.
Jessie
came with us to Missouri from Indiana in 1991. We rescued her at age 9 mo. in
1988. As a young girl, Jessie was a wonderful running companion for Dad. She
was a really sweet girl and very smart. She was known at
Annawan as "the Jesser." We lost her September, 2002.
Atlanta (Attie) joined the family February 2004 when we found her wandering confused in the middle of an icy street. Before we could get to her she got clipped by the back wheels of a delivery truck. At the Vet we found out she was bruised but otherwise OK. Attie died May 2004
Chico
was part of our extended farm family for over a year. He became terminally ill
June 2004. We will miss him.
Casey
was rescued by us in 1992. She had been injured and after much treatment, we
had to have her eye removed. She was the ultimate watch dog
(go figure) at Annawan. Casey was a big girl who loved cookies and her family.
Casey died in 2006.
First pets
Randy's first dog, Queenie.
Connie's first dog, Timmy
************************************
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a
place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been
especially close to someone here, that
pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of
our special friends so they can run and
play together. There is plenty of food,
water and sunshine, and our friends are
warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and
old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are
made whole and strong again, just as
we remember them in our dreams of
days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content,
except for one small thing; they each
miss someone very special to them, who
had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the
day comes when one suddenly stops and
looks into the distance. His bright eyes
are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly
he begins to run from the group, flying over
the green grass, his legs carrying him
faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when
you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never
to be parted again. The happy kisses rain
upon your face; your hands again caress
the beloved head, and you look once more
into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long
gone from your life but never absent from
your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together
Author Unknown