It is never, ever easy to lose one of our beloved Cavaliers, or any pet for that matter.  Colleen was a wonderful older Cavalier who found a wonderful family to love her as much as I loved her. My late husband Al (oh, I hate that word “late” in this context) have always believed that every Cavalier deserves its own pillow and there are just not enough pillows to go around at our home. Al and I have always tried to do what we felt was best for our dogs which often meant their own special pillow in their own special homes.

There is a certain joy in adopting an older Cavalier or an older dog of another breed. The shelters are full of older dogs who need one more chance for a life well lived.  Dr. Mark Harris of Annehurst Vet Hospital in Westerville, Ohio, just sent the Annehurst rescue team to Missouri to bring back twenty six rescued dogs and cats from the flood waters.  The clinic needs to place them before the team can head to Joplin to help with the homeless pets there. The clinics number is 614 882 4728. Ask for Leslie if you wish to make a donation or to offer to share your home with a special pet. Tell her that I sent you.

I am not sharing the following email to feature Rattlebridge or myself but to point out the joy in adopting and sharing your life with an mature dog. There are many other breeders who care as much as I do and would be willing to fill your lives with joy. M

From one of our Rattlebridge Extended Families:

Dear Meredith, I am writing this to you today with very sad news. We lost our little doggie, Colleen, very unexpectedly to heart failure very early Saturday morning. She was under cardiology treatment for 2 years, but I still didn’t know this would come so soon. She was almost 12. She was the absolute light of our life and I am thanking you for that. You knew Colleen needed a home like ours when Rich came to visit you that day. When he brought her home in the car to surprise me, I had no idea she would mean the world to me. That little dog, with her big heart and huge eyes, filled a space in my heart that was left empty by the loss of my parents. Unfortunately, we both have experienced terrible losses in our lives.

We have always called Colleen the perfect dog, she never left messes, she never left our laps. Colleen was the snuggliest dog I have ever had and i am missing her terribly right now. Our home is so quiet and my lap is empty. I miss hearing her snorts and snores coming from the other room. I miss her climbing on my lab while i was reading letting me know she was the important one at the moment and needed some scratches. I miss her climbing on the back of our sofa, watching us leave through the window and controlling the neighborhood from her spot. I can’t stop crying for her and I know she wouldn’t want me to be so sad. I just want her back. I want to watch her chase butterflies through the yard and snuggle my face once more. So thank you for giving us such joy with Colleen. We loved her so much, that now we are feeling the loss. I have attached two photos of her for you. The one of her looking out the window, that was her favorite spot watching the birds in the fountain. That was taken the day she passed. She looked happy, not sick.

 

Once again, Meredith, Thank you for filling our hearts with joy. Colleen was so special to us. I just want you to know how much you mean to us, because it is through you that we get to experience something so special. I just want you to know that. Thank you!

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