Rainbow Bridge

(Author Unknown)

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 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, someone who was 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 begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, 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 those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Wells Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

It is with heavy and broken hearts that we write to let you know that Murphy passed away on Sunday, April 21. Our world will never be the same. He was such a big presence in our every moment. We were not done hugging, kissing, spoiling, fighting for covers at night... There is a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.

Murphy was diagnosed with Addison's Disease last August and subsequently Hypothyroidism and Megaesophagus. His death was a total shock to us as we were managing symptoms well, were regimented in his medication schedule and seemed to have everything under control. He had been a total trooper through all the diagnostics and medications, of which we did it all. He never lost even a bit of his spark. We dropped him off at the boarding facility on Friday afternoon for a quick trip up to Cleveland. He had been his normal goof-ball self on Friday morning, showing no signs of trouble at all. He was nudging and kicking me and as I changed his bed cover. They said he was completely normal on Saturday as well but found him passed when they checked on him on Sunday morning.

Although Murphy deserved more time to enjoy his spoiled life and all the love we had to give him, we can say for sure that he truly loved every moment of his time with us. And we with him. From his play dates with his furr-friends to his two Michigan beach vacations, staying on a private island in Canada where he could run all week without ever having to see a leash, Gramma's special Murph kisses starting at the tip of his nose and ending on top of his big cone head, and always having at least 8-10 bags of cookies open at the same time to choose from. We can think of a million reasons to smile but just cannot right now. We are appreciative and thankful for the happiness and love that he gave to us and consider ourselves lucky to have been blessed with 7.5 years of his love, snuggles and the never-ending laughs he provided us.

A special thanks to you for allowing us to have Murphy in our lives.
Doggie Heaven has gained a special soul.

Devastated and lonely,
Valerie & Justin Wells

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cade, Rainbow Bridge Dog

We adopted Cade in June of 2007 at one of HMMD's adoption events. This big love bug was such a huge part of our life being our first child. His personality was bigger than life and he was so darn funny. He would love to give high five's, ride with his head out of the car sunroof, and just spend all of his time being loved. People were always amazed at how gentle he was despite being a big hulking guy. People and food were his passion and he would do anything for us and his treats. I think he was the smartest dog I have owned yet and at times the most annoying. He would eaves drop on phone conversations and when you got to the end of the call he would bark and dance around thinking that he was going out.

A year ago Cade developed problems with his neck, a disc issue the vet said, so he went on prednisone to take away the inflammation and allowed him to walk again. He received chiropractic care and even acupuncture both of which helped his condition, however he never was able to return to his normal life before the neck injuries. On March 22, 2013, he developed bloat and gastric torsion. He had emergency surgery and did great through out the procedure, the vet was optimistic. However, hisheart gave out most likely from being on prednisone for so long.

Cade had such a huge impact on our life and I am saddened that my son will not remember the love Cade had for him. Cade will forever live on in video and pictures and I will always think of him. I have lost pets before, but Cade was a companion like no other. We loved that dog for over 5 1/2 years and although I thought we would have him much longer we are lucky that he owned us.

 

Jenkins Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

Every morning about 4 am, Roxie would come into our bedroom and wake me up. I was a early riser as I drive school bus. I never had to set my alarm for this reason; only thing she woke me on saturdays and sundays too, but that was ok. She wanted fed and let outside. after she was done, she would join me on the couch as I drank my coffee and watched the early news on tv.

These mornings lately , I am alone in the morning as our Roxie has passed on, cancer got the better of her. . . we loved this beautiful dobie. She always seemed so loyal and faithful till the end. When you came home she was there to greet you; when I went upstairs to work out she was there too, just to be close. . . while at work she would sit by the wife's recliner just to be close. About four and a half years ago we adopted Roxie thru HMMD and she adopted us too. A little older dog that had a rough life, she was a sweet heart of a dog. Maybe because of her hard past, she spent a while in foster care but we are grateful as we got to have her in our lifes. We do miss our Roxie.

- Michael & Becky Jenkins

 

Adams-Page Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

We write this note with much sadness to inform you of the passing of Nickel Adams on January 20, 2013. Nickel fought a courageous battle with Wobbler's Syndrome for the past two years. Nickel adopted us from your organization in September of 2006. His presence in our home greatly enriched our lives and words cannot describe how much he will be missed. The one word we both feel best described Nickel is brilliant. He represented that term not only in mind but also in spirit. We thank your organization for providing the opportunity to allow him make himself a part of our family.

Nickel's forever parents,
Bill Adams and Bambi Couch Page

Branddtner-Stanton Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

It was New Years Day 2006 when I drove from Pittsburgh to the outskirts of Cleveland to pick up Darla. She was sweet, beautiful, shy and demure. She was a three year old girl who had been abandoned.

We arrived home at midnight. I had called ahead to make sure that my partner, David would wait up to meet her. Once Darla was in the house, the first order of business was to introduce her to David. He was blind from cataracts and couldn’t see her too well. So we all sat on the couch and got acquainted, Darla between us. That was it. We were a family!

She was intensely loyal to me especially. She always slept at my side. The head of my bed is in a window bay. From there she could guard the house, alerting to passers by on both the front and back streets. No matter what room of the house I was in, Darla had her corner staked out. Even when I was sick in bed for a week she would not leave my side. When I brought David home from his first cataract operation he saw her clearly for the first time. “Oh,” he said, “she IS pretty”! On several occasions I took Darla to visit David when he was in the hospital. She was a hit with everyone there. She even got up on his bed and cuddled with him.

Darla enjoyed her walks to the nearby park. She always shook the tags on her collar to alert me that she wanted to go. People we met always wanted to pet her. They often commented on her beauty and how she always walked on a loose leash at my side. Before I retired I worked as a streetcar motorman. Friends would bring her to the car stop, just three doors from the house, so I could give her some lovins.

I knew on that drive home from Cleveland that this time would come. Darla was our third Doberman. In the last month or so Darla grew weaker. Her gait had changed from an apparent stroke. But she was still my “little girl baby.” She still slept at my side, though she needed a little help onto the bed. She loved her cuddles on the couch and getting her ears rubbed as only her “Uncle Brian” knew how.

On Saturday, November 24th she would not eat or drink. By Tuesday she couldn’t walk. I slept on the floor with her that night. She snuggled her face up against mine and slept, content. On Wednesday morning we all said our goodbyes and gave our final lovins. We had seven wonderful years with Darla. Though she’s not physically with us, we know she went over that Rainbow Bridge.


Joe Branddtner
David Stanton
Pittsburgh, PA

 

Horton Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

Maxx was two years old when I met him at The Hand Me Down Dobes Open House one Sunday circa fall 2001. He wasn't the dog I was there to see...I wanted a beautiful red, calm female dobe whose name escapes me. Dogs were going home left and right, but no one was hanging out with Maxx, so I went over to see what was up. He was full of energy and unfocused, but I felt a connection right away, and after talking to his foster mom for awhile and spending some time with him, I decided to take him home. What a nightmare those first couple of months were! He wouldn't listen, he drug our bulldog across the floor by her wrinkles, and threw up bile and refused to eat. I actually contacted HMDD with the intent of giving him back. When my call was returned, and I talked to the representative ( I can't remeber what her name was, but I owe her a huge debt of gratitude), I broke down in tears. She said that they would gladly take him back, but it sounded like I really wanted to keep him, and would I try a few things 1) take him to obedience training 2) buy a spray bottle and squirt him in the face when he grabbed the bulldog's wrinkles and 3) feed him every 8 hours instead of once a day. I quickly agreed to a 1 month trial period that lasted about 2 weeks...Immediately, after starting his training and feeding regiment, he went from being an unfocused bundle of energy to an obedient, loving and extremely loyal bundle of energy who stopped throwing up, and who was also incredibly dorky.

Maxx became my best friend. When my former girl friend and I split up, she took the Bulldog, and I took Maxx. He adapted beautifully to bachelor life. Adapting, as I came to find out, was his forte. He was calm, relaxed, and gregarious with all the new people he met, everybody who was blessed to know him, loved him. He was four when I met 2 of my 3 children and their mom, and he adapted perfectly to having kids..better than I did at the time...He even welcomed the newborn less than a year later. Maxx became the perfect family dog. The marriage came and went, and yet another couple dogs left his world, but still, he was adapting perfectly. From the time he was 8 until he was 12, no one could believe how old he was, because he still played like a puppy.

My two older kids were 3 and 4 when they met Maxx and my youngest knew him her whole life. My kids loved him with all of their heart. When I met my fiance (we'll be married in less than a week), she immediately took to Maxx and he to her. Have I mentioned that he was the best dog in the world??? Well, he was. I knew he had outlived the average life span of a Dobe by a few years, and I thought I had been preparing myself for the end. Boy was I wrong. When I took him to the vet for what I thought was a UTI, I was informed that Maxx had advanced diabetes and Cardio Myopathy. He proceeded to tell me that if it hadn't been for the diabetes shutting down his kidneys, his cardio myopathy probably would have taken him weeks ago. He said it was a question of when, rather than if I should put him down, and he recommended not waiting too long. I made his appointment for 10 days later, giving our family some time to spend with him. I cried every day, but I was with him. My fiance fixed him a plate for every meal--for that last week, he ate like we did, like a big dorky Doberking. It was a hard week, but it made me finally see that he had been withering before my eyes, gone were the days of running around chasing his tail, barking. He even stopped barking when people came to the door, and refused to play with his little American English Bulldog brother. He had lost 10 pounds in the last year. My poor boy. On the final day, my son, my fiance and I took him to the vet for the last time. We stayed in the room with him and I hugged and petted him until he died peacefully in my arms.

I'd like to thank the other four "owners" of Maxx who thought he was too much to handle. I'd like to thank HMDD for bringing him into my life, but most of all, I'd like to thank My Maxx for being the best dog ever. Goodbye my servant, my protector, my friend, my brother, my Dog...RIP boy, I love you.

Dan Horton

Maxx is survived by me, his step mom, Cheryl, his human brothers and sisters, Alistier, Marie and Daniela, and his doggy brother, Sampson

 

Ekkens Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

Fiyero is simply the best dog I have ever owned. 4 ½ years ago, Fiyero came to live with me. He had been a stray, about 2 years old and was thin with a very thin blue coat, but he was still beautiful. With a little food and love, he filled out quickly, but wasn’t destined to have a nice shiny coat; who needs that anyway! When I took him to obedience class, no one could believe how well behaved he was. I really didn’t have to teach him a thing. I could take him anywhere and all I would hear is what a fabulous dog. Whenever his tummy started to rumble, he would pick up his dish in his mouth and bring and drop it in front of me, wherever I was. His favorite place to sit was on my lap or snuggled up on the cushion behind me on the couch. He loved surveying his kingdom from the window. He loved everyone and everything except cats. They learned to stay far away from Fiyero. 2 years ago, Fiyero got a sister, Elphie. They used the couch as their wrestling ring, loved playing, occasionally they disagreed, but ended up snuggling in the end.

In December, 2011, Fiyero started coughing and was quickly diagnosed with DCM. We managed his disease for about 6 months before things got worse. In the end, his heart just couldn’t do the job anymore, and he passed away on September 1, 2012. Elphie and I miss our wonderful friend. Life just isn’t the same without his big beautiful brown eyes. I am grateful that we had our time together, just wish it could’ve been longer.

Holly Ekkens

 

Vas Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

Lou was our Hand Me Down Dobie lady and we had lost our wonderful dobie mix back in 2003. It was hard to loose him so we applied to Hand Me Down. It wasn't long before Lou called us to say she had a dobie in need and she thought he would fit with us. He had just been brought in and wasn't even up on the list yet. But he was a bundle of crazy energy, having been crated all day. Typical story, owners thought he was too much when they let him out of his crate upon returning home from a long day of work each day.

I don't remember the name he came with but his complete lack of socialization and his tendency to slam into your knees at a full run prompted us to rename him Dozer.

He was about a year when we got him. In early 2005, we had our one and only child. Dozer took it in stride and never was a problem. We lost him this summer to cancer in his front leg and shoulder. We tried no heroic measures, having already lost our previous dog to the same thing. We just kept him comfortable and waited till his quality was slipping. The hardest part of his loss was explaining to our now seven year old that he was losing the dog he had always known. It was an honest and forthright life lesson and our son was with Dozer until the end. Our vet came to our farm and his faithful little boy even helped Daddy bury him by the big garden stone.

He was a big clod and a bit of a doofus but he was ours and we loved him. He protected our family, our home and was a wonderful boy. We aren't quite ready to add a new dog to the mix yet but after all these years, I still come to your sight regularly to check out the dogs in need. Someday soon, a dobie will speak to us and we will find ourselves enjoying the antics of a new family member. Until then, know that we appreciate what you all do. And know that one of your rescued pups, Dozer, lived out the good life on 21 acres of farm land and one big fat couch.

Sarah Vas
Winfield Farm & Forge
Grafton, Ohio

 

Rainbow Bridge for Resse Cup

Reese Cup came into my life about 6 years ago. I would take Reese Cup with me most of the places I went, as I did with all my dogs and fosters. Everyone would immediately fall in love with her. Their first comment was that they never had seen was such a small Doberman.

All the months I fostered her she never wanted me out of her sight. She was fine while I was at work but wanted to be at me side when I came home. I had not planned on adopting her, but I felt that she was trying to let me know that she had no in tensions of leaving me. Shortly thereafter she became part of my family.

As she got older and settled down she obtained her certificate, becoming a therapy dog with Therapy Dog International visiting hospice patients for Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Reece Cup was with me for too short of a time and is dearly missed.

Till we meet again,

Terry, Diva, Adobe, Tate, Barron, and Tippy

 

Browning Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

We adopted Kharma in the spring of 2002. We never knew her whole history, but DID know her estimated birth date was December of 2000 and she only weighed 26 pounds when she was found. Kharma was a gentle soul who didn’t have a mean bone in her body…she loved everything and everyone. She came to our house with her own blankie which she loved to gather between her paws and blissfully suck away.

Her favorite place to lie was scrunched next to me on my recliner. She was the first dog I had that absolutely insisted on being under the covers, whether sharing a chair, couch or bed. Once she learned about laser lights, that was one of her all-time favorite pastimes. In the evenings, she demanded laser playtime and wouldn’t eat until my husband let her chase it a few times. When she was outside, she FLEW…I swear she was part greyhound because she was the fastest dog I’d ever seen.

Kharma was very vocal. When she wanted something (usually to go out or fresh water), she would stand in front of you and bark. When 7:00 rolled around (dinnertime), she would bark until she was fed. When she chased the laser light, she barked the entire time she was running.

Kharma lost her fight with lung cancer on July 17, 2012. She was, is, and always will be my special girl.

Gayle Browning

Hannigan Family Rainbow Bridge Dogs

I am sending this email with tears. We adopted Tasha several years ago and we lost her 2 years or so to cancer. She was a wonderful dog, just needed to know that she had to see the hands of strangers in our home. Not sure if it is linked to the abuse she suffered before she was adopted. Yesterday, April 30, 2012, we lost our second rescue Doberman Forrest. We adopted him when he was 18 month we were told and as near as we can tell he was now 10 years old. He was so healthy, but he also had to have some cancer removed. The Vet did have to remove additional muscle from his back leg as the lump looked like cancer. Tasha was an absolute lady. Forrest as a total guy and both brought us such happiness. However, unfortunately Forrest was losing the use of his back legs and falling. He actually started to chew his one back paw off. We knew it was time, however that is never an easy decision or one to be questioned once you see what is happening to them, the light has left there eyes, he is no longer stealing dish towels and socks and all the crazy wonderful things our Doberman's did. Forrest was asked to be removed from class at the direction of the HandmeDown Dobes Director (at the time) because he was barking. Yes I was upset, he was a rescue and truly abused. But we made it. He got through school for what would I call it, I guess I an abused dog with unresolved issues. We worked with him and he turned out to be the most lovable bald Doberman and yet he still protected us. He loved his blankies, his toys and seeing how many he could fit in his mouth and walk around the house. We stayed in this home as opposed to selling because we (yes me and my husband) knew Forrest needed a large yard to run that was fenced in. Oh and how many times did he jump in the pond to cool himself off...lol. We will never find another handsome doberman like him.

I am attaching a photo of Tasha and Forrest. Please keep our babies in your prayers. Losing both our rescue doberman's has left such a big hole in our heart and the house now seems empty. Shali (our silky) keeps looking for her partner in crime.

So Rest in Peace pls Forrest and Tasha. I pray they are together playing like they used to. Our house is so empty without you pups.

Respectfully,

Jean Hannigan

 

 

Reithmeier Family Rainbow Bridge Dog

I adopted Emerson in 2004 from an open adoption event. I originally wanted a black and tan female and came home with this huge, skinny red male with floppy short ears and no hair on his sides. He had been found tied to a dumpster in Cleveland, about 54 lbs and with frostbite. . .One of the best decisions I ever made was to bring that big goofy dog home!!

He filled out to a whopping 120lbs, with good food and lots of walks and runs with me. . .A gentler soul could not exist, he was patient with tiny kittens, annoying puppies, whiny children. He was the only dog out of a class of 24, to get his Canie Good Citizenship award, despite protests, at first, from others worried about a "doberman" being in the class. . . They ended up giving him a standing ovation and were amazed how kind and gentle a doberman, a rescue doberman at that, could be.

On April 11th, 2012 my LOVE, my HEART and my SOUL went to play with all the other dogs at the rainbow bridge. . . I will never forget my lovely man, and I am so greatful to have had 8 wonderful, loving years with such a fine gentleman. . .I miss you always Em. . . and a HUGE Thank You to your rescue for allowing me the gift of my beloved boy.

Noreen Reithmeier