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...
That same day he was rushed to our Veterinarian for an exam. Duke did not look good. X-Rays were performed, along with bloodwork. Duke was diagnosed with Cardiomyapathy and congestive heart failure. He was started on medication. Our vet said he was on borrowed time.
Members of MMBR posted Dukes story on BoxerWorld.com and soon a wonderful woman named Lois contacted us, saying she wanted to take Duke home and give him all the love she could,for whatever time he had left. After her adoption request was processed Duke was started on his long journey from Flint, MI to southern Ohio. It was a tiresome day for old Duke but as soon as he and Lois met it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
In July, about 6 months after going home to Lois, Dukes symptoms became much worse and medicine was no longer helping him. Lois took her best friend to his vet and stayed with him while she told him goodbye.
People like Lois and dogs like Duke are both one in a million!
Shortly after her adoption it was discovered that Sydney had serious kidney problems. She was given wonderful medical care and love but still, it only kept her going for about 9 more months. Sadly, on May 30th, 2003 Sydney was helped to the Bridge by her mom. We will always remember Sydney. She touched everyone she came into contact with.
The decision was made to be with Mario while our vet sent him to the Bridge. Mario was so sick that the Vet doubted that he even knew where he was.
Mario was only with MMBR a short while but he was loved by us and especially his foster mom, who held him in her arms when he left this world.
Higgens was checked out by a veterinarian, thanks to our volunteer, Shelly Desmond, and it was discovered that he had cancer throughout his intestines and stomach. Shelly was with Higgens when he crossed to the Bridge. Higgens was only with us for about 24 hours and even though we could not re-home him, we believe that we did "rescue" him and did all we could for him.
The new owners are GREAT people who loved Zeus very much. After having Zeus for a while, he bit someone. The owners tried to correct his behavior but it didn't help. He bit another person so they called us and asked if they should return him to MMBR. The adopter who gave him away had also sent along his original adoption paperwork, making it possible for the new owners to get into contact with us.
Zues came back to us after being gone for a year and a half. After coming back, it was obvious that we had no choice but to have him put to sleep. We believe that he might have suffered some sort of abuse at the hands of the original adopter.
The story of Zues is particularly sad because we here at MMBR feel that we failed him in choosing his adopter. Since the time that he got adopted we have tightened our adoption policy to help to weed out applicants like Zues'. We truely hope to never have to post another story like this one
Sophie is the perfect example of why it is so important to socialize your puppy while you have the chance. Had Sophie been properly socialized and worked with we believe she would be alive today, the happy and content pet of some loving family.
Sophie went to the brige in her foster moms arms on December 17, 2003.
Maxi had bouts of mast cell cancer from the time he came to MMBR but always had surgery to remove it.
On January 26, 2004, a little more than 4 years after coming to MMBR, Maxi passed on to the Bridge with his mom by his side, telling him how much he was loved, holding him in her arms and knowing he was very loved.
Maxi will be missed by all who met him.