This is a special section for dogs from or in our rescue who have gone to Rainbow Bridge.
Vera – passed away May 6, 2013
We first met Vera in June 2011, and for almost 2 years, she lived a wonderful, happy life in her foster home. She had a great time with her foster brothers and sisters running around pointer paradise. Towards the end, she used a wheelchair to keep going as her back legs became too weak to support her. She wasn’t ready to give up! We are so glad to have known Vera for as long as we did, and so grateful we could give her love and comfort in her senior years.
Beatrice – passed away May 4, 2013
Although Beatrice was not with us long, she made quite an impression. After being rescued from the shelter, she spent a week at her foster home soaking up the good life. Her foster family showered her with love, good food and gave her a all the comforts of a home. She was very special to her foster home for the short time that they knew her, and we are so grateful that beautiful Beatrice did not end her days on a cold shelter floor.
Ziggy – passed away April 12, 2013
Our sweet girl Ziggy has made her way to the Rainbow Bridge after battling kidney disease. She came into the rescue heart worm positive and was able to recover from the treatments. It was love at first sight when we met Ziggy. We knew she would be a great addition to our little family, and would be a wonderful doggy sister to our other GSP Zoe. Ziggy was always willing to share a snuggle and loved to be right by your side. She always enjoyed a ride in the car, trips to the park, rolling around in the living room with her bone, and running around the yard with Zoe. Known to many as “Zigger the digger”, she was able to dig trench sized holes in little to no time and her incredible sense of smell always let us know when an unwelcome critter was around. Our time with Ziggy was way too short, but she enriched our lives in so many ways. Our sweet angel definitely earned her wings and she will be missed by all. We love you Ziggy Doo!
- Ryan and Katie
Olive – passed away March 6, 2013
We are saddened that sweet Olive has gone to Rainbow Bridge after losing her battle with pneumonia and numerous medical issues. Three days in the veterinary ICU were not able to stop her decline. Though she was only in rescue for two weeks, we are grateful for her foster homes that lavished her with love and attention, that the decline was rapid and she did not suffer, and that she did not have to spend her final days alone at the shelter.
Shotzi – passed away February 2013
It’s with great sadness that we announce the loss of our two GSP rescues over the last few months. We adopted Remington as a 1 year old pup in 1999. He faithfully served as my shadow for over 13 years until he just couldn’t make it anymore. In 2007 we added Shotzi as a 10 year old companion for Remington. For 5 years they battled over the sunny spots in the yard. Shotzi succumbed to old age this February and joined Remington in the Land of Never Ending Tennis Balls.
-The Gaffneys
Cassie – passed away January 28, 2013
Samson – passed away January 2013
As soon as we saw the pictures of Sam, we knew he deserved a home where he could be loved and treasured. I have never seen a dog so appreciative of human touch. Sam would lean into you and rest his head in your lap for as long as you would let him- food would not even lure him away. He would look at you so thankfully when you would sit with him and scratch him. Sam had an unusual bowlegged stance, when people would see him approaching they would call out “howdy partner”. He was the oldest dog we had in the house and he was the boss up until the very end. People tend to shy away from adopting the older dogs for fear of only having a year with them but if you take the chance like I did, it is all worth it. We will miss our little monkey!
Mackey – passed away December 5, 2012
Mackey hit the jackpot when he came into rescue in 2005, and was adopted by his foster family just in time for Christmas. He had a good life and made it through surgeries, an arthritic hip, mast cell disease and metastatic carcinoma, but finally succumbed to kidney failure. His outlook was positive, with every day being a good day, another day to be entertaining, to eat, to go for a walk on the trails, to squeeze himself into small spaces. Farewell, dear Mackey.
Sadie – passed away November 28, 2012
Sadie had a rough start in life, ending up in rescue when she was 8 or 9 years old. A difficult spay with hemorrhaging nearly took her life, but she recovered. She was adopted and then returned when the family had a baby and no longer had time for her. Was she ever going to have a true home? Yes! At the age of 9 or 10 she was adopted by a wonderful woman who had adopted from us before. Sadie had finally found her home. She enjoyed the company of the other dogs, and played older sister to the foster dogs. Her arthritis slowed her down a bit, but she always enjoyed her walks, especially along (or in!) the creek. Sadie had over four years of love, walks, and companionship. Goodbye, sweet Sadie.
River – passed away June 13, 2012
River was at least 8 years old when he came into rescue. There’s not a waiting list for older male dogs, so we hoped that the right adopter would come along. River did great with his foster dads, enjoying his time at the dog park, on errands, and just generally hanging out. Then one day his dads realized that River WAS part of the family, so they made it permanent and adopted him – it just took them a while to figure out that he was already in his forever home. River enjoyed five more years of the good life before it was his time to go.
Trigger – passed away December 3, 2011
Trigger had been dropped off at the shelter and he came into our program terribly ill and on his last legs. Thanks to two wonderful foster homes, he spent his final days in the warmth and comfort of a home environment, with lots of love, care, and blankets.
Claudia – passed away March 12, 2011
“And so she came to pass much too quickly. My hopes, my goal was to simply make her comfortable just long enough to enjoy at least one full day of love, of kindness, of the grass under her feet, the spoils of being “my” dog. To prove to her that, once she was out the shelter, I would make it better along with all those who were rooting for her. But it was not meant to be. Claudia’s illness was relentless, nullifying her medications and the best of my intentions in a matter of days. And so, on a beautiful Saturday morning, I held her head in my hands and never stopped kissing her forehead as she peacefully slipped away. All the while telling her she was a beautiful dog and that my wish for her was that she should run like the wind without a care in the world.
Claudia must have been a fabulous dog in her day. Even in her failing health, she was strikingly beautiful. Her liver colored coat was spotted with—what looked like—snowflakes of white. Her eyes appeared golden in the sunlight. Her expression, her look was quintessential GSP. Especially when she stood perfectly still in the middle of the yard taking in the fresh air; her head tilted slightly upward toward the sky. She quickly assumed the rituals and routine of my “girls” (Emily [GSP], Molly [Cocker Spaniel], Sassy [Jack Russell mix]), politely enjoying an abundance of dog treats, the comforts of the couch, and the ever present touch and attention of someone who truly cared. And in those moments I knew she knew she was, without a doubt, my dog. My only wish was that it could have been for just a little while longer. Sweet dreams Claudia.”
- Celia A., Claudia’s (Foster) Mom
Mercy – passed away January 4, 2011
Mercy was rescued by NorCal GSP Rescue in Feb. 2010. Even though she suffered from advanced arthritis, Mercy was full of character and personality and made sure her body took her wherever she wanted to go! When it was mealtime, she seranaded everyone with a hilarious “Woo woo” and never met a morsel of food she didn’t like. She spent her last 10 months hanging out with the other dogs in her foster homes, catching some rays by the pool and even swimming a lap or two. Unfortunately our sweet Merc took a turn for the worse as the New Year approached and was helped to the Rainbow Bridge on Jan. 4, 2011. This “sweet old bird” reminded us of why we love the oldies so much. They’re just so pure of heart and deserve to live out the rest of their lives in comfort, not end their lives in a shelter. It was good to know you “Moosie”. Rest in peace sweet girl.
Oscar – April 2001- November 13, 2010
Oscar came into my life as a one-year old stray in May, 2002, having found his way into the San Francisco SPCA shelter. He quickly found his way to the center of my life and bed. He was a remarkable dog: intelligent, loving, friendly, attentive, clever, precocious. independent, alert, inquisitive and very focused, intuitive, playful, loyal, interested in people, squirrels and gophers; stuffed toys were a joy.
I know he had a good life. He knew he was loved. He had his own rights and needs that had to be respected and at the same time understood so much about me, and all people he met. Sadly he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and tachycardia in January and lived well with medical treatment for another ten months, fully involved with his adventures. He left when his life was still full. As a friend observed: He was an unusual dog with capability of friendship and caring and sensitivity beyond any other I’ve known and loved.
- Rick Carrington
Bandit (formerly Bradley) – passed away April 15, 2010
Bandit came south to live with us as a 6-7yr old. It took a bit to figure out that he was pretty tightly wound. He seemed to internalize all his anxieties so the symptoms were much less noticeable than one would expect. We were a bit concerned when he first came home because he would never look anyone in the eye. I just wasn’t used to that! The whole first year he was with us he would look next to you, not directly at you. And we used to call him “The World’s Quietest Shorthair” because he NEVER barked! But what he did do was obsess over lights. He chased lights and shadows constantly, it sure kept him busy.
Then after about a year, he not only started looking us in the eye, but he found his voice and his light chasing became just a game, not an obsession. We had six wonderful years with him. He loved to go traveling in the RV and camping. He saw the sites all over the southwest, and enjoyed it all! He also loved to swim, and would jump off of the side of the pool to fetch a ball. He wouldn’t play fetch on dry land, just out of the pool. He had his rules! But his very favorite game of all was hunting for rocks in a lake or river. He would do it for hours on end if we let him!
This past year has been a bit more difficult for him as he aged considerably and was diagnosed with Cushings. He still loved his daily walks, and still was always available for some shadow chasing if you were willing to play. He still had his voice, although it was a bit hoarse. And oh, he would stare in your eyes for as long as you wanted.
He will always be in our hearts . . .
Candace – passed away March 27, 2010
Candace was probably at least 14 years old when she came into rescue. She was so terribly emaciated, yet still happy to be with you. Her foster people took wonderful care of her, she had a couple of months of being spoiled, and we are glad she didn’t have to spend her last moments in the shelter.
Oscar (Turbo) – passed away February 2010
Oscar(Turbo) crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Oscar was a loving and loyal member of our family. Even though he was officially a foster dog, we knew when we got him that he was approximately 14 years old and that he may never be adopted.
When he was young, he must have been striking because even at 14 he was remarkably handsome.
He loved to be petted and demanded to be present in the same room as his human roomates. Until recently, he would sleep in our master bedroom located on the second floor with our 4 adopted GSP rescues. Even as his hips started to lose full use, he insisted on going up & down the stairs. He enjoyed every minute of life and would toss his toys in the air then catch them and squeak them like a puppy.
Even though he was too old to alter, he immediately fit in with our 4 boys. He loved his daily walks and was social butterfly with humans and dogs he met on these outings. Many people showed interest in adopting until they discovered his age.
Well, the two years and four days with this valiant, sweet and gentle friend was our gain. Oscar, you will always be in our hearts and you were indeed a member of our family. Thank you.
Gracie – passed away January 2009
“Gracie died in January 2009 and the hole in our hearts remains. She was our first GSP and easily the most intelligent and precocious.
Gracie had a full life – she got off leash exercise daily (except during the numerous orthopedic fixes where she had to stay on leash) and she loved to chase critters-rabbits, squirrels, deer, etc. She was so fast and clever that she would occasionally catch a critter. She was always willing to give the critter up, EXCEPT for the times she caught a pheasant. Now a pheasant was a PRIME catch and NO ONE could have her pheasant. She also had more than one encounter with a porcupine in the Sierras while cross country skiing. We felt sorry for the porcupine as we watched Gracie run around it while it tried to keep her at bay. We never hunted with Gracie but her instinctual hunting ability was amazing and her point was beautiful. We have a picture of Gracie pointing when she was about 4 weeks old.
Gracie had so many classic GSP traits – loyal, Velcro (follow from room to room), loving to family but standoffish with others, not allowing head touching, intelligent (show something once and learn it), insistent on getting what she wanted, and stoic. She had an Achilles tendon repair and had to wear an external fixator and she still insisted on going for a walk. In the end, even the osteosarcoma, which is supposed to be incredibly painful, did not stop Gracie for seven months, yet the vets all said she had only 2-6 weeks to live, primarily because of the pain.
Gracie was the reason we became involved in GSP rescue. She was so even tempered that she was wonderful to use to evaluate shelter dogs. When she first met the shelter dogs, she would allow them to do almost anything – she would take their frantic behavior and would look away, give calming signals and diffuse negative energy. If a shelter dog went after Gracie, it was almost always dog aggressive.
We miss Gracie so much and love her dearly. We wait for the time when she can be back in our lives. We hope she is frolicking at the Rainbow Bridge with her boxer pal, Icky.”
- Karen & KC
Polly – passed away October 31, 2009
Polly was a middle-aged female with some issues around love and trust when she came to me — a description which fit me pretty well, too. She was so sweet and silly (and sometimes sad) — wonderful with kids and cats, other dogs — everyone. We had far too little time together, yet still enough to make lots of happy memories. She was very much loved, and will be remembered and missed. –I like this photo of Polly because she’s happy, having been digging for critters in the dunes at Ft. Funston (and uprooting the native plants — don’t tell the native planters!).
- Lisa McGowan