In Memory of Those That Have Passed Away

Max (aka Mr. Moodles)

On Christmas Eve, we lost our beloved companion and best friend, Max (better known to many as Mr. Moodles).

We adopted Max a year and a half ago from the Surrey SPCA. Scared and emaciated from malnutrition, neglect and abuse, he peered at us from his kennel with his little black eyes. Although we knew he was already a senior and may only live a few months, we fell in love with our little man immediately and knew we had to bring him home to be part of our family.

In a matter of months, we plumped him up to a healthy weight and watched him grow into a loving and affectionate little critter. Always there to greet us with tail wags and enthusiasm, Mr. Moodles spent the last of his senior years content, warm and loved.

While we're heartbroken that we'll no longer feel his precious kisses, get to rub his back and hips, which he loved so much, or hear his little grunts, we take comfort in knowing that he passed away in our arms, knowing that he was safe and loved. I can’t even explain how much happiness and love our Moodley little man brought into our lives during his short time with us.

Mr. Moodles is deeply missed by his Mom and Dad and his four legged ‘sisters,’ Millie the lab and Lucy the tabby cat. This is the way we will forever remember him. Warm and cozy in front of the fire, surrounded by love.

Ava was found as a stray puppy with a broken leg.  It was assumed that she had been hit by a car.  We started to worry when the muscle strength in her back end did not improve, and she kept on hobbling.  Despite these physical obstacles, Ava lived life with a huge grin. Her foster mom Zoe and Zoe's children adored Ava's ever optimistic, kissy outlook on life.  She was then diagnosed with luxating patellas, twisted tibias, hip dysplasia and an ACL tear.  It was likely these poor genetics that caused her leg to break in the first place.  We were waiting to hear from specialists in regards to surgical possibilities, when her front end gave out- it just couldn't take the strain of doing all the work for her back-end.  She is the picture of what happens when people breed for money, and do not take into account the well-being of the dogs they are breeding.  Her siblings are likely to face similar fates.  Please do not support Backyard Breeders.

www.nopuppymillscanada.ca

Ginger was a young lady who was full of spark. She was loved by the shelter staff.

Nyxie's mom misses her dearly and wanted to say this to her girl:

Oh Nutty Noo... I hope if there is a doggy afterlife, it finds you rolling around in a big pile of tires and kongs. You taught me more than any dog I have ever handled and the knowledge I gained from you, helped me help other pups find their way in the world. You were an amazing gift to our family and I still can't believe you are gone, just a month shy of your fourteenth year. Even with all our struggles to get through your issues, I loved you more than you can imagine and I hope you knew that and I hope I did right by you in your eyes. Run free Nyx. You will never be forgotten.

Zoe, Raven and Daemon, our hearts go out to you right now.

Your silly antics and wiggling bum are missed greatly by your family.  RIP Missy and we know that you are free and frolicking right now.

Loki was adored by many, the long-time volunteers at the Burnaby and Vancouver SPCA branches; his original foster folks Kristen and Dan; and his adoptive family Dana and Vaughan.  Rest in peace dear boy.  We are sure that you are now surrounded by tennis balls and good cheer.

This is written by Loki's foster family--he holds a very special place in their hearts.

Loki, you were an amazing boy!! Full of life and excitement and a gentle, loving heart.  You were always there for us when we needed a snuggle or a face wash and you were the best oversized lap warmer around.  Though you were only with us for a short while until you found your amazing adoptive home, you will remain a part of our family forever.  Rest in peace my black beauty.  You will truly be missed and loved always. 
Kristen, Dan, Alexa and Sativah

Emily came into our care early in 2007.  She spent months in a foster home just waiting for the perfect family to come and adopt her.  Laid-back, mellow and goofy, Emily adored children and greeted all she met with a wagging tail and a woo-woo bark.  In July, she finally found the perfect home--it was an ideal match and she setled in there like she had been there her whole life.  Sadly, Emily passed away in early October in the arms of her new dad.  Although she was only with them a brief time, her family gave her the love and attention that we wish for all of our dogs.  To know the love of a family is something that all dogs should experience.  RIP Princess Emily, you are greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.

Lilly came to came to the shelter from a troubled past, that we are better off not knowing about.

But there was so much love in her despite the treatment that she may have received in her past. Lilly managed to wiggle-bum her way into the heart of one of the shelter staff. Not being able to bear the thought of her staying at the shelter during the strike this summer, he took her home with him. All his love and devotion to Lilly showed in the long way she had come to becoming a happy normal dog.
Lilly died suddenly on October 7, 2007. It is not known what the exact cause was but something went horribly wrong internally.
We did everything we could for her, and from the first day she came to the shelter.  You've never seen anything as cute as when Lilly saw Jason, Lilly repaid him for all that he had done for her with true uncondtional love. Thanks to Jason for loving her and fostering her.
Those were the best days of her life.
Lilly ?-Oct.7, 2007 Forever in our hearts and the amazing memories you left with us.
Last seen following Mu's scent, at a wiggle bum trot, toward the light.

 You touched the hearts of all who met you and were an amazing foster sister to so many dogs.

You will forever be in our hearts and memories.

I ONLY WANTED YOU

They say memories are golden

well maybe that is true.

I never wanted memories

I only wanted you.

I million times I needed you

a million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you

you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,

in death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place

no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway

and heartache make a lane.

I'd walk the path to heaven

and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same.

But as god calls us one by one

the chain will link again.

Author Unknown

Rest in Peace Mr Beefy Mc'Otis.  You were much loved

Pippi and puppies came from the Surrey SPCA.  Mom came in very poor shape, and gave birth to 12 puppies.  They contracted a bacterial infection from their mom and most did not survive despite valiant efforts from vet and their foster mom Maggie.  RIP little ones.

Laffy Taffy 

 Jujube

Skittles

Jelly Bean

Licorice 

Hot Tamale

 Willy Wonka

This wee little gremlin had a rough go and has spent the last bit of her life in a foster home being treated like the princess she was.  She was originally surrendered to the shelter after her family of 7 years had a baby and then was adopted by a man who absolutely adored her, but was unable to keep her. Lil Tucker wanted nothing more in life than to curl up with her people and be adored.  Unfortunately, her quality of life was diminishing and she had to be put to sleep.   Lil Tucker--you are free from pain now! Run free and be the happy girl you always wanted to be!

Boo Bear was helped over the bridge today. He came into our care last February. He was amazing boy who was adored by the entire neighborhood, but most of all by AJ his permanent foster mom. He would go on long hikes with her, she fed him lots of yummy food, and he slept under the covers with her every night. Also Emily, who faithfully walked Boo Bear several times a week, and provided Boo with so much more love.

Boo was abandoned in Hope, by his owners at the age of 14. Thanks to trina posting his dire need for rescue, and Joanne for temp. fostering him, he made it out alive, and into a home that knew how amazing Boo Bear was. Unfortunately his former owners never neutered him, and it was evident that he had cancer upon his arrival into care (which likely started as prostate cancer, but had spread to skin cancer, and tumours through-out his hardy big body). Despite this Boo LOVED life, and even went for 3 hour hikes on a regular basis. He was a total leaner in classic mastiffy style, and loved to rest his jowls on the nearest lap, staring at you with his big soulful, all-knowing eyes.

Poor Tyke was as poorly bred as they come.  He struggled with neurological issues, poor conformation, and aggression issues that are not tolerable in pit bulls.  All of his litter-mates have struggled with the same problem.  Rescued off a chain  at 6 months he never even had a shot.  Luckily a big-hearted couple, Liz and Joey, decided to take Tyke in and try to work with him.  He enjoyed so much cuddle time, play time, camping trips, annoying their two girl dogs, and everything else a dog deserves.  However we all realized he could not be kept safe from the world forever, and despite his happy times, he lived with so much fear. He was humanely put to sleep in the arms of all who adored him. 

Miss Lily went from a poor pup in a cold backyard to a full-fledged pampered ambassadog.  Adopted to Molly, one of our superstar fosters, Lily bubbled over with her lovable nature and she greeted all beings, no matter the species, with a happy wag and bully smile.  Unfortunately, Lily was diagnosed with an agressive form of cancer at only 10 months old.  Super trooper that she was, she put up a valiant fight but in the end lost the battle.  From the moment she was adopted, Lily was treated the way a princess should be treated and in return gave her mom unconditional love, loyalty and companionship--all dogs should be this lucky. Good-bye Lily we will miss you. 

Zeussy was a sensitive soul who loved nothing more than to cuddle up in your lap.  He was a young fella who had not had a great life.  He loved to play fetch, and romp around with his boxer foster sister. Zeus passed away unexpectedly while in foster care.  Thank-you to his foster home for loviing him so much.

Piglet aka Peanut was one of the sweetest and most endearing dogs to ever land in Bully Buddies.  She has irressistable charm, and was an amazing ambassadog for both deaf dogs and Pit Bulls.  She loved life, and always had a grin plastered on her face.  She was taken away much too soon.  We will never forget you little wiggler.

Bardot passed away shortly after finding her forever home. This was written in memory of her, by an animal control officer who worked with Bardot, and loved her dearly.

Brigitte Bardot is who I named you after. The dedication she had to making the lives of animals better and her love for them was endless. The beauty you both possess obvious. I had hope that your passion for life, your beauty and her name would somehow protect you from the harsh world you had come to us so afraid of. You came to us so scared and fragile. With kind words and gentle touches you grew to trust and love us. We loved you and spoiled you as much as we could trying so hard to make our shelter a better place than whatever you had in the past. All we could do was not enough and you grew listless and pale in your kennel. You stopped eating and sat shivering and curled in a ball. You were ready to give up after so little time not trusting things would get better. We could not stand to see you like this and would not give up. You had stolen the hearts of all of us with your silly grunts and your whipping tail. You would spend hours everyday up in the office greeting everyone that came in with those piercing eyes. Yet, no one took you home. We filled Kong's full of treats, scattered toys galore and tucked you in each night when we could not be there to comfort you. This was no longer enough. What you needed was a home but there was none. You now enjoyed life too much and could not stand to be locked away at the end of the day. Once again life had become unfair to you. Then, she came along, we were so grateful! You were confused and unsure but you kissed us all and went on your way. She took you in to her already full home to foster you. She brought you back to life! We received regular reports, photos and you even came to visit us, how wonderful you looked again. You were happy there but could be happier still and she knew this. Your forever home was finally found and we were thrilled to hear that you were doing better than ever. With your broken past behind you and those you trusted and loved all around you you had trust once again in life. Tragically you were taken away during these happiest days in your new home. So many of us saddened beyond belief. We can surely take comfort knowing you finally knew you were loved. For the first time in your short life you were loved. For now and forever you always will be.

Nitro was surrendered to the Burnaby SPCA.  Malnourished and mistreated, this poor boy was never given a chance at the good life and sadly had to be put to sleep.  RIP Nitro, although sad, we are glad you are free from pain now.