2001 ~ 2010

“My life seems like it has been so long and so short at the same time. People speak of a will to live. They rarely speak of a will to die. Because people are afraid of death. Death is dark and unknown and frightening. But not for me. It is not the end.”………. “after a dog dies, his soul is released into the world around us. His soul is released to run in the world, run through the fields, enjoy the earth, the wind, the rivers, the rain, the sun, the – When a dog dies, his soul is released to run until he is ready to be reborn.” – The Art Of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

God Speed Meeka ~ You are in our hearts until we meet again.

It is with an extremely heavy heart and through many tears, that we must share the loss of another of MaPaw’s beloved family. It seems like just yesterday that Echo was born in a MaPaw foster home and when his family met him at just 2 days old ~ they knew he would be the newest member of their family. When they first brought Echo home to meet big brother Meeka, they had no idea the bond the boys would form. When the family lost Meeka in July, nobody grieved more than poor Echo who had lost his brother, partner in crime and soul mate.

Wednesday (December 29th) seemed like a typical day ~ Echo snagging his sister’s nylabone, running around the house and yard, getting into mischief. And suddenly ~ he was gone… Echo did not suffer and passed quickly. His family is devastated.

We know that Meeka was there to greet Echo as he crossed the Bridge. Now the boys are side by side, as they were in life, watching over their family.

Zira was a very special girl who touched a lot of lives. She was a stray so I don’t really know her exact birth date. She was only around 3 months old when I got her. Her approximate birth date is 5.1999. She went to the Rainbow Bridge on 4.5.2001.

Kevin

Just my Dog

She is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
My other ears that hear above the winds.
She is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.
She has told me a thousand times over that I am her reason for being:
By the way she rests against my leg;
By the way she thumps her tail at my smallest smile;
By the way she shows her hurt when I leave without taking her.
(I think it makes her sick with worry when she is not along to care for me.)
When I am wrong, she is delighted to forgive.
When I am happy, she is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, she ignores it.
When I succeed, she brags.
Without her, I am only another man. With her, I am all powerful.
She is loyalty itself. She has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With her, I know a secret comfort and a private peace.
She has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.
Her head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
Her presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.
She has promised to wait for me…whenever…wherever–in case I need her.
And I expect I will–as I always have.

By Gene Hill

It was on the 27th day of July, in the year 2006 that Zacky went gently into the night across the Rainbow Bridge. Almost 9 years to to the day he literally “jumped” into our lives with gusto, but also with much gentleness. With his passing, he left a very large void in our hearts that can never be filled. There will never be an equal to Zacky, there may be others, but not a Zacky. He was a good guy, and I know that he is in heaven, and if I make it there, I know he will be waiting for me at the gate, wagging his tail, waiting for his “bonies”.

He would carry his dish filled with food and place it where he wanted it and it had to rest on his left paw. He used to claw me when he wanted something. I would yell, but today I wish he was here to do it again, believe me, I would not yell.

Zacky was like many Huskies, stubborn, turn his back to you, “forget” his name at times, and in his younger days, love to run free. But unlike other Huskies, he would “dance” his left paw would go up and down til he was satisfied he was sitting straight and beautiful. Dinner was another highlight at our house. He would “dance and prance” between us and always nudge my wife or a female guest at the most inappropriate place and always on the left side. He loved “people” food.

Always gentle and never grabbing from our hands, until he learned to eat from a fork.

Yes, Zacky is gone, he now wears the Silver Harness, but he will never be forgotten, replaced and no other will ever take the place of Zacky.

Why do the ones we love the most leave us so soon?

Sadly missed by his “Mommy and Daddy”, Sailor, Dakota and Grandpa

You were only supposed to stay for a few days until your foster home was ready for you to join them. We had almost 6 months to share our lives with you.

From the first day, it felt like you had always been a part of our family and we were heartbroken to learn that your time with us would be so very short.

You brought a smile to everyone that you met and nobody ever believed you were 12! I miss your goofy trot and your barking at the phone when it rang more than twice. You were such a character and our house is much emptier without you.

We have all taken your passing with difficulty, but Scout found the most difficulty. He slept on your bed (I couldn’t bring myself to move it until a few days later) for 3 nights. You were his shadow and he loved when you followed him everywhere he went.

We all miss you terribly and wish we would have had more time to spend with you. You were such a joy for our family and we hope you enjoyed your time with us as much as we did.

Yukon ~ you will always be in our hearts and we are grateful for the short time we got to spend with you.

~ Stacie, Niko, Chloe and Scout